Director, Statistics Division

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote inclusive economic, social and environmental development and support regional cooperation and integration in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The Director of the Statistics Division reports directly to the Executive Secretary, and manages staff of the Division in three main areas: economic and environment statistics, population and social statistics, and statistical data management. In addition, the Director works closely with the other Divisions and Regional Institutes of ESCAP, including the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), to ensure effective synergies and promote coherent implementation of ESCAP's work programme.

Under the leadership of the Executive Secretary the Director of Statistics Division will be responsible for the following:

• Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Statistics Division with a special emphasis on align work with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Manages the activities undertaken by the Division, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas within the Division, with other ESCAP Divisions and Institutes, and other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.

• Oversees the timely development, effective implementation and results based reporting on the ESCAP subprogramme on statistics Co-ordinates the work carried out by work units under the Division

• Works with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system especially by leading statistical discussions and developing and implementing statistical activities of the Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Groups.

• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and its subsidiary committees, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate and provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others

• Supports the development and implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on Statistics and the decisions of the Commission in promoting statistics development, planning and directing the Division's work programme accordingly, including the provision of technical assistance activities for national capacity building through missions, expert consultations, technical meetings and training workshops.

• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.

• Oversees the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.

• Ensures due account of geographical and gender balance is considered in recruitment.

• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.

• Leads and represents the Division in international, regional or national meetings, seminars and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the field of official statistics and areas of the work being supervised. Ability to produce analytical reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others, ensuring quality outputs and outcomes. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography or other related social science area. Ph.D degree desirable. A first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

At least 15 years progressively responsible experience in statistics, including at the international level is required. Experience in leading and managing a sizable work unit is required. Demonstrated experience in establishing and maintaining professional networks required. Experience in development of statistical programmes, technical support services and policies as well as programme planning and analyses, and results-based budgeting is desirable. Experience in official statistical work in developing countries, particularly in the Asia and the Pacific region, is highly desirable

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.