National Consultant (Education Data and Statistics)

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Kabul Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-NOV-2020 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** **Background and context** Many Member States including Afghanistan are facing critical challenges in monitoring the progress towards the global Education 2030 agenda - Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 and national education targets. The SDG 4 Pilot project under the Capacity Development for Education (CapED) Programme is one of UNESCO’s global efforts to address the challenges and to provide holistic support, ensuring effective monitoring of the progress towards SDG 4 targets. One primary output of the CapED SDG 4 Pilot project in Afghanistan is to develop the National Strategy for the Development of Education Statistics (NSDES) (2021-2025) as a policy instrument to establish a medium-term vision and actions to generate quality education data for monitoring SDG 4 and national education targets. Within the frameworks of the CapED SDG 4 Pilot project and the Better Education Systems for Afghanistan's Future (BESAF) project, UNESCO Office in Kabul and UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) are going to provide further support to the Government of Afghanistan to implement the NSDES, by working with the Ministry of Education (MoE), the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA), other line ministries/agencies and development partners active in the field of education data and statistics. Specifically, UNESCO will provide support in establishing an enabling policy and institutional environment, standardizing and harmonizing statistical processes, methodologies and approaches and building capacity of statistical staff on the collection, collation, analysis, reporting and use of data. Long Description **Main duties and responsibilities** Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Office in Kabul and Representative of UNESCO to Afghanistan, overall supervision of the Head of Education Unit and direct supervision of the CapED Programme Coordinator, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the wider consultation, adoption and implementation of the NSDES. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following tasks in consultation with the National Technical Team (NTT), the Steering Committee (SC), UNESCO Office in Kabul and UIS: Wider consultation and adoption of the NSDES 1.Identify and develop a list of partners and stakeholders to be included for wider consultation and liaise with them to collect feedback. 2.Follow up with the key decision-makers on the adoption of the NSDES. 3.Support to organize the NSDES launch event including drafting concept note and agenda and coordinating with partners and stakeholders. Implementation of the NSDES: Policy and Institutional Environment 4.Follow up on the official appointment of the NTT and SC members. 5.Support the development of the Terms of References (ToR) and work plan of the SC and NTT. 6.Assist in developing the roles and responsibilities of each ministry/agency to implement the NSDES. 7.Assist with the organizing of regular meetings of the SC and NTT. 8.Assist with the creation of ‘pool funding’ for education statistics. 9.Draft a staff succession and retention plan for those who are working in education statistics. Long Description Implementation of the NSDES: Organizational/Statistical Processes/Protocols 10.Review and document current statistical processes/protocols, approaches and methodologies to utilize all sources of data. 11.Review and document data collection mechanism and collect feedback from stakeholders. 12.Collect, review and suggest data tools (Form, guideline and checklist) on new data collection mechanism. 13.Assist in introducing measures in the Statistical Act or Policy to ensure confidentiality of individual data. Implementation of the NSDES: Capacity Development 14.Assist to identify training needs through wider consultation with statistical staff at central, provincial, district and school levels. 15.Assist to develop a training plan and training materials. 16.Coordinate the logistics and delivery of both virtual and in-person training workshops. 17.Translate assignment-related documents between English and local languages, vice versa. 18.Other tasks in relation to the implementation of the NSDES upon request from supervisors. Long Description The following deliverables are to be submitted by the incumbent in editable file formats such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint: 1.Work plan of the assignment (two weeks after signing the contract). 2.Deliverables for the wider consultation and adoption of the NSDES, including consolidated feedback on the NSDES, a concept note, an agenda and a list of participants for the launch event of the NSDES (before 31 December 2020). 3.Deliverables for an enabling policy and institutional environment, including ToR and work plan of the SC and NTT (before 31 March 2021), agenda and minutes of each NTT and SC meeting (by end of each quarter of 2021), and staff succession and retention plan (before 31 May 2021). 4.Deliverables for the organizational/statistical protocols and data governance policy, including updated statistical processes, approaches and methodologies (before 30 April 2021), refined data collection and feedback mechanism (before 30 June 2021), newly-developed data tools such as form, guideline and checklist (before 31 October 2021). 5.Deliverables for the capacity building of statistical staff, including a training needs assessment report, inputs for the training plan (before 28 February 2021), consolidated feedback on training materials, and translated training materials in local languages (before 30 September 2021). **COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)** Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) **-** For detailed information, please consult the [UNESCO Competency Framework](https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/competency_framework_e.pdf). **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** Education -Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in education, social sciences, statistics, economics or related area. Work experience -At least two years of progressively responsible relevant work experience relating to data and statistics in education and other sectors. Skills & Competencies -Excellent understanding of statistical policies, strategies, protocols, and approaches in education; -Excellent skills in education data collection, collation, analysis, reporting and use; -Advanced cross-cultural communication skills; -Excellent time management skills; -Significant sensitivity and adaptability (cultural, gender, religion, race and nationality); -Highly competent computer skills and a proficient user of Microsoft Office software and online meeting tools; and -Excellent independent working skills with a desire for continuous improvement. Languages -Excellent knowledge of English and Dari (spoken and written). **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** -Excellent knowledge of the development and implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Education Statistics (NSDES); -Excellent understanding of mainstreaming and monitoring SDG 4 in countries; -Previous work experience in education in the government or international development cooperation sectors is an asset; and -Work experience with the UN is an added advantage. **APPLICATION PROCESS** Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted. Candidates are invited to submit an Employment History Form during online application. It is required to provide the information: -Details of work experience, including prior experience of similar and relevant work. -A list of past similar work or reports/publications written with hyperlinks to access such papers if they are available online or samples of such papers if they are only available offline. **(Insert the list in main achievements or at the end of the Employment History Form as it is not allowed to upload multiple documents in the system.)** -A brief proposal (1-2 pages) discussing (1) the approach/methodology to undertake the assignment, (2) key deliverables with a timeframe and (3) proposed fees. **(Insert your proposal at the end of the Employment History Form.)** **SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS** Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the [UNESCO careers website.](https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl) No modifications can be made to the application submitted. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. **Footer** UNESCO applies a zero tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieve and sustain gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities, as well as nationals from non-and under-represented Member States [(last update here)](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution) are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.