Statistical Assistant

OVERVIEW

Position Number: 1CAUIS0111PA

Grade: G-5

Parent Sector: Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Montreal

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Project Appointment

Duration of contract: 1 year

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 22/10/2026

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

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Established in 1999, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the statistical arm of UNESCO and serves the Organization's 193 Member States and 12 Associate Members. The UIS produces cross-nationally comparable data for the global, regional and development agendas in education, science, technology and innovation, culture, and communication and information.

The Institute's 2022–2029 Medium-Term Strategy is built on three pillars — standards and methodologies, data production, and brokering and outreach — and aims to ensure that countries' policies and decision-making are informed by sound statistical evidence and that countries can benchmark progress against national and international goals.

The UIS plays a leading role in SDG 4 monitoring, including the SDG 4 benchmarking process jointly led with the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEMR), and contributes data to platforms including the UN Transforming Education Summit, the Global Cooperation Mechanism on Education, the G7 and G20, and the GPE results framework.

The Administrative Data Unit (ADU) supports the UIS's statistical programme through the standard, recurring processing of the data and metadata reported by Member States. The Unit compiles, validates and consolidates statistical data across the Institute's data collection instruments and databases, and prepares the standard tables, extracts and metadata that underpin UIS publications, the UIS website and its data dissemination services.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) and the direct supervision of the responsible manager, the Statistical Assistant carries out the standard, recurring technical and procedural tasks that support the collection, processing, validation and dissemination of UIS statistics. The post supports the specialised and professional staff of the Section in delivering the Institute’s statistical programme.

The incumbent processes data for an assigned set of countries, datasets or questionnaires, applies established procedures, checklists and validation routines, and produces standard statistical outputs. Cases that fall outside established procedures — classification questions, methodological choices and unresolved data problems — are referred, with the supporting documentation, to the Senior Statistical Assistant or the supervisor.

Core results of the post include:

• Complete, accurate and timely processing of the data and metadata assigned to the post.
• Consistent application of UIS procedures, classifications, checklists and validation routines.
• Accurate standard statistical outputs (tables, charts, extracts) prepared to schedule for UIS publications, the UIS website and internal and external users.
• Reliable and courteous service to data providers and data users, and prompt escalation of substantive issues.

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Data Compilation and Processing

• Compile, enter, sort and update statistical data received from Member States through UIS questionnaires and from designated external sources, following established procedures.
• Monitor the reporting status of the assigned countries or datasets, issue standard reminders and follow-up communications, and keep respondent contact records up to date in the Institute’s contact management system.
• Apply international classifications, in particular ISCED and the corresponding mappings, as instructed when organising and coding data.
• Run prepared scripts, queries and validation routines over the assigned portfolio and record the results.
• Refer classification issues, methodological questions and unresolved data problems to the Senior Statistical Assistant or the supervisor, with the relevant documentation.

2. Data Validation and Quality Assurance

• Carry out consistency, completeness and credibility checks using established checklists and automated exception reports, and correct errors within delegated authority.
• Calculate indicators for the assigned portfolio using existing programmes and standard statistical software (Python, R, SQL or Stata as applicable), following documented methodology.
• Apply predefined estimation and imputation rules to missing or inconsistent values and document the treatment applied.
• Follow up with data providers on straightforward queries in order to complete, clarify or correct submissions.

Long Description

3. Statistical Outputs and Data Requests

• Prepare statistical tables, charts and standard data extracts for UIS publications, factsheets, the UIS website and internal users, using established templates and tools.
• Carry out assigned quality-assurance checks for data releases, including checks of Bulk Data Download Service files and the UIS Data Browser against prepared checklists, and report discrepancies.
• Update metadata, footnotes and explanatory notes in accordance with instructions and UIS documentation standards.
• Respond to routine data requests from internal and external users, record them, and pass complex or sensitive requests to the responsible officer.
• Proofread and check statistical material prepared for publication or for the website.

4. Database and Systems Support

• Consolidate and organise reported data and metadata in UIS database systems according to Institute standards.
• Execute assigned test cases on data collection instruments and processing systems (electronic questionnaires, DES, ERS, AIS, DCI, UIS Data Browser) and report defects in the established format.
• Maintain procedural documentation, checklists, file records and version records for the assigned processes.
• Apply the Institute’s data access, storage and confidentiality rules to the data handled.

Long Description

5. Meetings, Missions and Capacity Support

• Prepare supporting materials, presentations, tables and documentation for workshops, technical meetings and missions.
• Provide procedural information and guidance to national respondents on the completion and submission of questionnaires, escalating substantive queries.
• Support the induction of interns and trainees on routine processing tasks and explain established work routines and the use of standard applications.

6. Other Duties

• Undertake other tasks and assignments set out in the annual work plan of the Section and reflected in the incumbent’s annual performance objectives.

COMPETENCIES - Core (C)

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Professionalism (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)
• Professionalism (C)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Completed secondary, technical or vocational education is required.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the compilation, processing and presentation of statistical data is required.
• Experience in the use of statistical software and databases for routine data preparation is required.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Working knowledge of at least one statistical or programming environment used for data preparation (Python, R, SQL or Stata), including the ability to run, adapt and interpret prepared scripts and queries.
• Advanced spreadsheet skills, including the use of macros and dynamic tables.
• Familiarity with the Institute’s data collection and processing applications (electronic questionnaires, DES, ERS, AIS, CalcIndic, Consult, CRM), or the ability to acquire them rapidly.
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools, with metadata and data documentation practice, and with the use of shared file or code repositories and version records.
• Careful verification of the output of any AI-assisted tool used for routine checking or documentation against source data, in line with the Organization’s data governance requirements.
• Accuracy, attention to detail, method and the ability to organise recurring work to meet fixed deadlines.
• Client orientation, discretion and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language is required (written and verbal).
• Working knowledge of Arabic is required (written and verbal).

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Training or coursework in statistical methods, data processing or a related quantitative field is desirable.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Experience preparing supporting materials, presentations or documentation for workshops, technical meetings or missions is desirable.
• Experience supporting the induction or onboarding of interns or new team members is desirable.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with the application of international statistical classifications, such as ISCED, and their corresponding mappings in data coding is desirable.
• Familiarity with contact-management systems used to track respondent communications and reporting status is desirable.

LANGUAGES

• Knowledge of another official language of the Organization (Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset and may be required where the portfolio of the post covers the countries concerned.

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 53,996 CAD

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

SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 to 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.
• lndividuals 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.
• Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.