International Consultant for the Using Big Data for Producing Environment-Gender Indicators Project

Result of Service Objectives

This pilot project aims to develop a better understanding of the nexus between environment and gender by improving the capacity of NSOs to utilize big data to produce a sample of environment-gender indicators. The project outcomes will provide insights on the feasibility of using non-traditional data sources to provide environment-gender indicators. They will also offer valuable case studies for countries in Asia and the Pacific region to determine whether they would be interested to replicate this pilot.

This project will contribute to advancing the Collective Vision regarding the Action area C: Integrated statistics for integrated analysis.

Expected deliverables

a) Design relevant guiding framework outlining data sources, data collection approaches including suitable data-sharing partnership model as necessary, and method of computation for the sample pilot indicators by 23 September 2022. This involves desk research and consultations with relevant experts in the field of the selected environment-gender indicators.

b) Develop training materials for national consultants to provide hands-on, in-person trainings to NSOs in the two countries by 30 September2022.The international consultant will guide national consultants as well as address questions and comments from NSOs throughout the entire training processes.

c) In close consultation with the NSOs and relevant stakeholders, draft national strategies on the use of big data for deriving the sample indicators by 1 November 2022 with the final draft completed by 20 December 2022 after receiving approval from the NSOs.

The national strategies should include: i. Rationale for using big data to produce environment-gender indicators ii. Main stakeholders, data partnership models and data flow iii. Enabling regulatory framework and legal basis governing the use and storage of data iv. Statistical indicators and quality assurance considerations v. Opportunities and challenges

d) Facilitate a regional workshop to share findings from the pilot project with stakeholders and explore interests from other countries to undertake a similar project by 18 December 2022.

e) Produce a project completion report detailing the objectives, rationales, methodologies, challenges, and recommendations for future projects by 31 December 2022.

Work Location Home base

Expected duration 5 September-31 December 2022

Duties and Responsibilities The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places great emphasis on promoting inclusive and sustainable future all, leaving no one behind. By endorsing this Agenda, member states are committed to advancing initiatives geared towards generating an enabling environment for socio-economic as well as environmentally sustainable development. This presents a rationale for efforts in deriving a better understanding of development themes requiring more attention, including environment, gender, and the nexus between the two. Several barriers including data gaps impede progress, and while governments and partners are directing more resources to this space, more coordinated and standardized approaches including national and international guidelines are needed.

To respond to these identified needs, UN Women, ESCAP, UNEP, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have developed a set of environment-gender indicators aimed to reveal the interactions between the two themes and their importance for advancing the 2030 Agenda in Asia and the Pacific.

The purpose of this indicators set is not to prescribe a compulsory measuring tool but to offer an approach for countries interested in better understanding the nexus between environment and gender. The set combines indicators from existing frameworks including the SDGs framework, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08). The seventh session of the ESCAP Committee on Statistics welcomed the initiative and encouraged continuation of this work.

Data availability remains a key challenge for the adoption of this indicators set and big data presents an opportunity to address this gap. To a certain degree, several National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in the region have experimented with non-traditional data sources as an alternative to traditional sources such as surveys and administrative data to produce a range of indicators.

These initiatives are encouraging and illustrative of the potential use of big data to produce a selection of environment-gender indicators. To build on these efforts, the project aims to support two countries on utilizing big data to produce a sample of indicators from the environment-gender indicators set.

ESCAP is seeking an international consultant to lead the implementation of the project. The international consultant will lead on the design of relevant guiding framework for the sample of indicators outlining the necessary data sources, data collection approaches, and methods of computation. The international consultant will also draft a national strategy for each beneficiary country on the use of big data for deriving the sample of indicators and guide national consultants on conducting trainings and national workshops. To finalise the pilots, the international consultant will produce a progress report and facilitate a regional workshop to share findings and explore interests from other countries in undertaking similar projects.

Qualifications/special skills Skills: - Excellent research, analysis, coordination, communication, planning, and organisational skills. - In-depth knowledge on the production of SDGs and related indicators preferably using big data. - In-depth practical knowledge on data collection, data integration (traditional and non-traditional data) and data analysis for SDG reporting. - In-depth knowledge on technical cooperation programme management with specific focus on capacity building and strategy development. - Knowledge of big data applications and partnership models for accessing non-traditional data sources.

Academic Qualifications: An advanced degree from a recognized university in statistics, data analytics, public policy, computer science, or related fields

Experience: - A minimum of 10 years of work experience in data production for official statistics, SDGs or related indicators. - Extensive practical experience in training NSOs and/or government officials at line ministries on accessing and analysing big data. - Extensive experience in using big data for producing SDGs or relevant indicators is preferred. - Experience in coordination and collaboration across the national statistical system for producing official statistics and developing national strategies. - Experience in leading international development statistics projects including conducting stakeholder consultations, organising workshops, and producing reports. - Experience working with national governments in Asia and the Pacific region is an advantage.

Language: Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

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.