Data needs desk review for NSP

Result of Service The key result expected with this procurement is an analysis of the data needs presented in a report, to be used as basis for development of the National Programme of Statistical Surveys 2023-2027. Clear division of labor and responsibilities is ensured.

Work Location Home-based, with virtual and/or physical meetings with UN entities, State Statistical Office and other partners as needed

Expected duration Up to 20 consultancy days in the period between 15 March to 30 April 2022.

***The candidates are requested to quote their daily rate in the motivation statement.***

Duties and Responsibilities UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UN-RCO) has a need of local individual contractor to support the State Statistical Office in undertaking a desk review of data needs that will be used as basis for development of the new National Programme of Statistical Surveys 2023-2027.

The development and adoption of the Programme for statistical surveys 2023-2027 (hereinafter “the Programme”) is anchored in the Law on State Statistics (article 20, item 1). The Programme is adopted by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia and is published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia. The Programme defines the statistical surveys that will be conducted during a specific period of time (five years), and as such, the Programme represents a key document outlining the statistical production of official data in the Republic of North Macedonia. The main objectives of the Programme are: - To provide a framework for the statistical production, i.e., to determine the statistical surveys that will be conducted in the given five-year period, defining their basic elements, frequency, and authorized data bearers (institutions participating in the national statistical system and performing statistical surveys in areas of their mandate). - To inform the users (the central government, the units of local self-government, business subjects, academia, media, international organizations and the broad public) on the availability and access to official statistical data by the State Statistical Office (SSO) and the other authorized bearers of the national statistical system. The Programme 2023-2027 is particularly significant for the following reasons: It is to be adopted during a period which coincides with the preparation of the new Law on Statistics (2022) which represents an opportunity for the alignment of the work of the national statistical system with European statistics Code of Practice. The Programme will be the bases for the next round of assessment (Peer Review) aimed towards harmonization of the statistical surveys to be encompassed per the Statistical Requirements Compendium. This, in turn, will be an important input in the process of EU accession negotiations. The content of the Programme should provide a foundation—necessary data—supporting policy reform and good governance as part of the process of EU accession negotiations. Harmonizing the surveys with the needs of the European statistics will positively affect the future use of IPA funds and other support instruments available for the countries-candidates for EU accession.

The development of the Programme represents a complex process, which lasts about a year. The successful development of the Programme depends on the timely and efficient planning, as well as extensive consultation with different types of stakeholders (both data users and authorized data bearers). The starting point in Programme preparation is the specification of data needs. This process includes the initial investigation and identification of the statistical outputs needed by the data users. One of the steps of identifying the needs is through desk review of the existing relevant documents (relevant sectoral strategies, international commitment) which list various data collection and analysis needs of the country.

The National Consultant will be responsible for identification of data needs through a process of desk review of relevant written documents related to the preparation of the Programme. The focus of data identification should be on sectoral policies/ strategies that covers statistical domains in accordance with the Statistical Requirement Compendium 2021.

The consultant is expected to: - Identify, review, and analyse all national and international strategies and action plans, conventions and declarations which require specific statistical data/indicators. - Write and submit draft and final report (in Macedonian and English) with findings of what statistical outputs are needed, as well as recommendations for statistical outputs to be produced in the future. - Active collaboration and coordination with UN team and SSO team for solving all open issues that might arise.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in statistics, economics, mathematics, social sciences, gender/women studies, public policy, or other related fields and development-related disciplines, is required. Master’s Degree in these or similar fields will be considered as an asset. Experience: - Minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting statistical analysis preferably in the context of the North Macedonia statistical system; - Minimum 5 years of practical experience in analytical work - Contribution to, or co-authorship of, national publications, reports and/or knowledge products on statistics and/or monitoring of inter/national indicators will be considered as an advantage; - Proven experience in working with programmes and projects funded by UN, EU, and other similar international organization will be considered as an asset. Language: English and Macedonian. Knowledge of Albanian language will be an asset.

Additional Information The assignment of desk review is undertaken by two individual contractors.

***The candidates are requested to quote their daily rate in the motivation statement.***

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.