Result of Service

Expected tangible and measurable output(s):

A. Documented strategy and proposal for activities to engage beneficiary countries throughout the project
B. In-person and remote technical assistance on the use of the big data for official statistics
C. Regular meetings with key stakeholders and partners to implement and coordinate project activities
D. Well-coordinated national, regional and sub-regional workshops, both informative and instructive, on the use of big data for official statistics
E. Clear, accessible training materials for the workshops.
F. Reports outlining examples of work being done on the use of innovative data sources, tools and methods for official statistics. These reports should include details on data types and data availability and should include description of methods being used
G. Documented guidance on incorporating the use of big data for official statistics into the national statistical development strategies of target countries
H. Knowledge products such as the following:
• information briefs which document and communicate the use of big data for official statistics; and
• practical guides on how to use big data for official statistics
I. Substantive inputs to interim reports and final reports for the project

Work Location

Bangkok and/or remotely

Expected duration

1 July 2023 – 31 December 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

ESCAP works to improve the quality of official statistics and the use of data for decision-making in Asia and the Pacific. Relevant, timely and accurate statistics are key to providing policy decision-makers with the evidence they need to make informed decisions.

Quality statistics provide decision makers with evidence, inform individuals of their rights and responsibilities, and give local communities a voice to influence policy and communicate policy impacts. Through the improved use of data and statistics, ESCAP enables stakeholders to build inclusive, sustainable and resilient societies.

ESCAP supports national statistical systems with economic, environment and social statistics and accounting following the vision and priority areas set out by Governments in the region. Further, ESCAP continues to cater to the evolving needs of the statistical community and has placed emphasis on featuring big data for official statistics in its work.

OBJECTIVES

The ESCAP Committee on Statistics in its 7th session decided to feature big data for official statistics in its future work with an emphasis on sharing country research, experiences and good practices and facilitating capacity development. Furthermore, at its 8th and most recent session, in 2022, the ESCAP Committee on Statistics committed to strengthening legislative provisions and institutional mechanisms to enable national statistical systems to take full advantage of new and innovative technologies while respecting the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics (FPOS).

A consultant is required to act as a Chief Technical Advisor for the project ‘The 2030 Data Decade – Strengthening the institutional capacity of national statistical offices in Asia and the Pacific to use innovative, new and big data sources for official statistics in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ funded by the UN Peace and Development Fund and . The project is implemented by the Statistics Division of ESCAP during April 2023 – December 2024.

The project features a range of activities to help build the institutional capacity of national statistical offices of countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the use of innovative, new and big data sources for official statistics.

The project activities will be conducted in twenty beneficiary countries, and will focus on incorporating the use of innovative data sources into national development strategies for official statistics for four target countries selected from the beneficiary countries. Targeted project activities will build on existing work being done at the national level, and will draw on examples of similar work being done at regional and global levels. The focus will be building solutions that can be successfully implemented, and sustained in target countries.
The project will use a partnership-based approach to delivery, enlisting global, regional, and national partners to ensure successful implementation and sustainability. The work will include developing information briefs, conducting sub-regional and regional workshops, and producing regional and sub-regional reports on using innovative big data sources for official statistics. As part of the project, there will be sharing of regional and sub-regional experiences on the use of innovative big data sources at international and regional dialogues.

The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will be a member of the project implementation team, with responsibility for the coordination of and playing a key role in the development and delivery of capacity building activities in target countries. The CTA will also lead the development of various knowledge products to support the use of innovation data sources, methods and technologies for official statistics. The CTA will work directly with national statistical offices (NSOs) and national institutions to identify priorities for each target country, and work will be based on the needs of national decision makers. The day-to-day management and coordination and monitoring of project activities will be conducted by ESCAP staff assigned to the project, and budget monitoring and management will be done by a designated Project Assistant.

As a member of the project implementation team, the CTA will work under the general supervision of the Chief of the Economic and Environment Statistics Section.

The main duties and responsibilities of the CTA will be as follows:

• Review and provide substantive inputs to enhance the project implementation strategy and plan
• Contribute to identifying suitable partners and technical experts for the delivery of project activities
• Lead the development of knowledge products on the use of data science, including big data, for official statistics, such as information briefs and practical guides
• Coordinate and contribute to the delivery of capacity development activities in target countries
• Advise on the formulation and implementation of national statistical development strategies that include the use of big data for official statistics
• Develop concepts, programmes and materials for sub-regional and regional workshops
• Lead the reporting of big data work being conducted in the region, based on the outcomes of research and project activities
• Engage with beneficiary countries throughout the project period
• Provide inputs to documents on the progress of project activities, including interim and final project reports

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in Statistics, Data Science, Operational Research, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Economics or relevant fields is required. A Bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the use data science methods, the use of geospatial information and other big data, and official statistics is required.

Experience of supporting capacity development activities in the context of data science, including big data, is required.

Experience of working with National Statistical Offices (NSOs) on the use of data science for official statistics is highly desirable.

Knowledge and understanding of applications and programs for processing data is desirable.

Experience liaising with external stakeholders and partners, including governments, research institutions and development partners is desirable

Experience of working with NSOs or other institutions of national statistical systems in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English, including excellent written and verbal communication skills is required.

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.