Project Officer

OVERVIEW

Post Number : 5LBUIS0002PA

Grade : P-3

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Beirut

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Project Appointment

Duration of contract : 2 years

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-NOV-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Duration of contract: initially 2 years, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), established in 1999, is UNESCO's statistical agency for 193 member states and 12 associated members. UIS provides internationally comparable data in education, science, culture, and communication and information. Its work is guided by three pillars: Standards and Methodologies, Data Production, and Brokering and Outreach.

UIS' 2022–2029 Medium-Term Strategy aims to ensure policymaking is based on reliable statistics, helping countries track progress toward national and global goals and learn from global experience. UIS supports key initiatives, including the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Education Cooperation Mechanism (GCM), G7, G20, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). It collaborates with partners such as UNICEF, World Bank, OECD, and GEMR on emerging priorities, including national education responses to COVID-19. UIS and GEMR have established an SDG 4 benchmarking process and help countries set and monitor targets for 2025 and 2030.

Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the UIS Director and administrative oversight of the Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, the incumbent will:

Strengthen coverage and quality of core UIS indicators in the Arab States. Support national capacity development. Enhance SDG monitoring. Promote UIS' visibility and partnerships. Long Description

Main Responsibilities and Tasks

1. Strengthen Data Collection and Validation

Develop and implement a work plan to improve coverage and quality of core UIS indicators.Monitor country response rates and data quality, coordinating actions to improve performance.Facilitate country validation of data, ensuring effective feedback between HQ and country teams.Support regional programmes monitoring SDGs and the Education 2030 Agenda, promoting data-driven policymaking.Implement UIS programmes in education, literacy, learning outcomes assessment, science, technology & innovation, culture, and communication & information.

2. Enhance National Capacity Development

Collaborate with UNESCO Regional Bureau in the Arab States to:

Develop regional medium-term plans prioritizing SDG reporting and monitoring.Map key stakeholders and expand UIS partnerships for data collection and quality.Implement a regional resource mobilization plan to support capacity development.Assist Member States in strengthening legislative, institutional, financial, technical, and human resources for sustainable data systems.Support national and regional studies and policy briefs on SDG 4, SDG 9.5, and SDG

3. Deliver Technical Support and Coordinate with UIS HQ

Organize and lead training sessions and workshops to strengthen national capacity in data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Maintain close coordination with UIS HQ teams to ensure joint planning, timely feedback, and consistent implementation of activities. 

4. Contribute to UIS Core Work

Contribute to UIS reporting, including preparing technical documents and inputs for UIS and UNESCO governing bodies, donors, and development partners.

Support statistical and methodological development by piloting tools and standards across sectors and providing feedback from field implementation.

5. Partnerships and Visibility

Promote UIS visibility and strengthen partner awareness of UIS data, standards, tools, and analytics.

Represent UIS in regional forums and technical working groups.

Coordinate with the Regional Bureau for Education, UNESCO national and cluster offices, and the Regional Bureau of Science and Culture (for specific projects) to ensure effective implementation of UIS activities in the region.

Perform other duties as required to support UIS' mandate and the successful delivery of its work.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Communication (C) Accountability (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) -
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, education, or social sciences with a strong applied statistics/data science component, or equivalent professional experience.

Work Experience

Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience as a statistician working with administrative, finance, survey, or assessment data in one or more UIS sectors, including at least two years at regional or international level strengthening education data capacity.Experience in developing-country contexts, especially with National Statistical Offices or ministry planning units.Proven record in developing partnerships and mobilizing resources for data initiatives.

Skills and Competencies

Expertise in measurement frameworks, standards, and tools related to UIS core indicators.Ability to apply innovative approaches and emerging technologies across UIS sectors.Proficiency in coding (e.g., Python, R), data visualization (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), and database management (SQL).Strong skills in office and statistical software (Excel, Word, SPSS, Stata, SAS).Ability to advise national statisticians on data collection, analysis, and reporting.Capacity to develop, analyze, and monitor project proposals.Knowledge of the Arab region.

Languages

Excellent knowledge of English or French and working knowledge of the other.Working knowledge of Arabic.  DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education 

Advanced university degree (PhD degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, mathematics, education, social sciences or related areas.Special training in applied statistics / data science is highly desirable

Work Experience

Experience in applied research, education data analysis and statistical modelling. Experience with modernization of official statistics.Experience working with learning assessments.Experience in the UN system or a similar agency.

Languages

Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Chinese, Russian, Spanish) BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO's salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.

The approximate annual starting salary for this post is 106,581 USD.

For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.

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. 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.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as 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. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities 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.

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