Implementation consultant (home-based) (Cancelled)

Result of Service - By 1 March: o Output 1: Detailed workplan with key outputs and targets o Output 2: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks

• By 1 April: o Output 3: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks

• By 1 May: o Output 4: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks

• By 1 June: o Output 5: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks

• By 1 July: o Output 6: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks

• By 1 August: o Output 7: Final report providing an overview of all contributions made and a recommendation for next steps for the project overall.

Performance indicators - Communication with the countries and the degree to which in-country contacts are handled diplomatically - Quality of the workshop contributions, assessment report and guidance materials prepared and development; including the degree of them being reader-friendly, concise, clearly structured, organized and written. - Collaboration with the UNSD project team and other key stakeholders to the project. - Timeliness of delivery of outputs

Work Location The consultancy is home-based with regular phone and web conference meetings with UNSD, project countries and other partners, particularly UN regional commissions and other involved DESA entities.

The consultant may be required to travel to selected project countries, to participate in meetings, hold workshops and events as required. Travel Authorization will be granted to the consultant prior to the travel date. The travel itineraries will be determined in due course and the related costs will be obligated separately.

Expected duration The initial consultancy is for a period of six months, from 1 February to 1 August 2023, with a possible extension.

Duties and Responsibilities The Data for Now initiative (https://unstats.un.org/capacity-development/data-for-now/), co-led by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), aims to develop countries’ capacities to deliver the information needed by local and national policy and decision makers to achieve the 2030 Agenda. To this end, it supports members of the national statistical systems in participating countries to collaborate more effectively with local, national and global partners from intergovernmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector, in order to leverage innovative sources, technologies and methods for the streamlined production and dissemination of better, more timely and disaggregated data for sustainable development.

As part of the implementation of the Data4Now initiative, UNSD is looking for a consultant who can support the overall implementation in selected countries in Africa and Asia. This includes regular engagement with the focal points at the National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in the countries and other key stakeholders at national level for implementation of agreed activities, technical support on selected activities, engagement of subject matter experts and related tasks.

The activities highlighted above also require close collaboration with the Data for Now team of UNSD as well as key partners such as the two project countries, GPSDD, the World Bank and SDSN, as well as the UN country team, donors and other international partners supporting statistical development initiatives linked to the initiative.

In this context, UNSD requires the service of a consultant to support the implementation of Data for Now activities in a selected number of countries in Africa and Asia. The consultant will work closely with the UNSD team and have a key role in engaging with project countries supporting them with the implementation. Where relevant to the project, the consultant will also support other work related to increasing availability of SDG indicators and innovation.

Under the supervision of the project coordinator at UNSD, the consultant’s work assignment will involve the following:

• Prepare a detailed plan of activities, specifying key outputs and timelines, in close consultation with the UNSD team.
• Perform consultation assignments and engage with project countries, supporting them in progressing the work as prioritized and agreed.
• Jointly with UNSD project team and other key stakeholders conduct workshops and trainings in project countries.
• Contribute to project coordination, including reporting and follow up with countries and other key stakeholders, particularly regional commissions, UN Resident Coordinators and other partners engaged in the project countries on statistics work.
• Engage with partners and stakeholders at the regional and global level, including the Data for Now core-team, UN agencies, donors as well as partners in civil society, academia, private sector, etc.
• Contribute to methodological work for thematic areas (f.ex. poverty, environment or cross cutting such as gender, disability and overall inclusion) or key. processes/methodology (f.ex. machine learning, small area estimation, citizen science, data integration or IT development) that can be linked to SDG implementation, with specific focus on innovation and data integration, including integration of geospatial information.
• Contribute to communications and outreach work to visualize results to various stakeholders and partners.

• Fulfill other tasks related to Data for Now as assigned by supervisor.

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, development studies, international relations, public administration, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in combination with twelve (12) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in social sciences, including statistics or economics, is required. Solid knowledge of statistical production, ideally with particular focus on the use of traditional and non-traditional data sources and quality management is required. Experience in project or programme management is required. Experience working with National Statistical Offices, providing capacity development, including guidance and training is required. Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and national efforts to implement them is desirable.

Languages Full command of spoken and written English required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

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.