Result of Service

Support Uzbekistan Statistics Agency in designing and implementing a strategy to better utilise alternative data sources for their price statistics through a combination of in-person and remote support. Specifically, the incumbent will: • Support the Uzbekistan Statistics Agency in developing and implementing a research plan and roadmap for the utilisation of EPOS and other potential alternative data sources for price statistics, taking into account where these sources have the potential to add the most value. • Coordinate with Uzbekistan Statistics Agency and Tax Agency to assess data quality of EPOS and other sources, identify where it can be successfully utilized, and where necessary, make provisions to improve data quality for future deliveries. • Support the development of processes for cleaning and standardizing data, including through the provision of documented guidance. • Support the development and enhancement of methodology and processes for the calculation of price statistics in Uzbekistan using webscraped and/or scanner data, using open-source tools such as Python and R. • Following the completion of data assessments and methodological development, guide the successful implementation of short-term developments into the Uzbekistan Statistics Agency’s business as usual processes, along with the adoption of a plan for longer-term developments, linked to the NSDS. • Provide the above support through in-person and virtual training workshops, webinars and meetings for participants from relevant institutions on the use of alternative data sources for price statistics, and develop concepts, programmes and materials for the activities. • Lead the drafting of a practical guidance document on webscraping for the CPI which can be used by NSOs across the Asia-Pacific region, and revise based on feedback from ESCAP and other relevant stakeholders. • Provide substantive inputs to other related knowledge products, as well as interim reports and final reports for the project.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

9.5 month

Duties and Responsibilities

Background 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 serve as a Data Scientist/Price Statistics Expert 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. 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 are being conducted in twenty beneficiary countries, focusing on incorporating the use of innovative data sources into national development strategies for official statistics for four target countries selected from the beneficiary countries. The focus is on 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 consultant will be a member of the project implementation team, with responsibility for providing in-country support and virtual technical assistance for capacity development activities in Uzbekistan, one of the target countries. More specifically, the consultant will support Uzbekistan in designing and implementing a strategy to better utilise alternative data sources for their price statistics, including Electronic Point of Sales Data (EPOS) and webscraped data, and the use of open-source tools and innovative methods. The consultant will also assist with the development of various knowledge products to support the use of alternative data sources for official statistics.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, development studies, international relations, public administration, or a related field. A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the use of data science methods, including within the context of official statistics, is required. Knowledge and understanding of methods, applications and programs for using alternative data sources for price statistics is required. Experience with programming languages, such as Python, SQL, Visual Basic and R is required. Experience in developing systems for the use of alternative data sources for price statistics, including ingestion, data validation and standardization, classification and reporting and aggregation is required. Experience with international standards and best practices in data management, statistical analysis and data privacy is desirable. Experience liaising with external stakeholders and partners, including governments, research institutions and development partners is desirable.

Languages

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

Additional Information

Not available.

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.