Head of Section, Science, Culture and Communication, P4, Project Appointment

Overview of the functions of the post 

Responsible for managing the activities of the Science, Culture and Communication (SCC) Section encompassing the functions of Science, Technology and Innovation; Culture; and Communication and Information. The role of the Section is to develop and maintain international norms and standards, including classifications, and indicator methodologies in the fields of science, culture and communication to ensure the quality of cross-nationally comparable science, culture and communication data collected and disseminated by the Institute. The incumbent will be responsible for achieving a globally recognized impact for Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS) in these areas through statistical surveys, analysis, standard setting, measurement and related activities. It should be noted that of the three areas, that of Science, Technology and Innovation encompasses the greatest concentration of activities given its greater weight in the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Key functions include:

• Develop and maintain international norms and standards, including classifications, and indicator methodologies in the fields of SCC.
• Plan, define and design data collections in the fields of SCC; build questionnaires and run data collections (in collaboration with IT services); capture, process, validate and disseminate data and indicators to users.
• Analysis the collected data and producing high-quality products in the fields of SCC with a special focus on Sustainable Development Goals data.
• Provision of support to capacity building in Member States, and partnerships with other stakeholders are essential components for all aspects of the work of the Section.

1) Direct the planning, initiation and execution of the SCC work programme, with greater resources devoted to the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)  area, comprising the collection, compilation, analysis, dissemination and international standardization for SCC data. The incumbent directs the staff of the SCC section providing both technical and managerial supervision of all its activities including preparation of its work programme and as needed, collaborate with and support other UIS units on matters related to Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

2) Supervise and undertake research and methodological studies with regards to standards (in collaboration with the Methodology and Standards Section where applicable) on the concepts, definitions and classifications of SCC statistics to improve international comparability [20%]. 

3) Maintain close liaison and cooperation within the field of responsibility and cooperation within the UIS on SCC statistical issues and with other national, regional and international organizations, including UNESCO Sectors and Field Offices. Represent the UIS at international, inter-agency and regional meetings on SCC issues, in order to influence the decisions of national and international experts and national governments.

4) Provide advice to other areas of UIS, to governments, regional offices and statistical institutions with respect to SCC statistics and data, to improve international comparability and the development of world-wide standards for the collection of data. Provide substantive backstopping of technical assistance projects in the field of SCC statistics through cooperative agreements such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).

5) Advise senior management on trends and developments in SCC and recommend appropriate courses of action and contribute to overall UIS strategies as a member of the UIS Management Team. 

Competencies 

A successful candidate will be required to demonstrate the following competencies:

Core Competencies

• Accountability 
• Communication 
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Results focus
• Planning and organizing
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement  

Managerial Competencies

• Driving and managing change
• Strategic thinking
• Making quality decisions
• Building partnerships
• Leading and empowering others
• Managing performance

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework

Required qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree in statistics or a closely related numeric discipline (such as demography, economics or mathematics) or in the fields of science and technology, innovation, or social sciences.

Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years of work experience in applied social statistics at the national or international level either within a UN or similar agency or in a Government Ministry/agency, of which preferably 3 years acquired at the international level. 
• Relevant work experience with large-scale data collection and dissemination. Given the relative weighting of STI work within the section, solid knowledge of STI is essential.
• Relevant experience in managing programmes and/or projects. 

Skills and competencies 

• Proven ability to plan strategically, to translate strategies into action and manage their implementation.
• Excellent coordination and interpersonal skills.  
• Proven experience in guiding and motivating staff. 
• Ability to work in a team and to maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• Solid software and I.T. skills are essential and required, particularly in the use of software for general and specialized applications for data processing and analysis, in particular: MS Excel. 
• Ability to communicate effectively including the ability to prepare, present and discuss findings and recommendations on issues clearly and concisely. 
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work in culturally diverse setting including capability to effectively communicate with political, technical and other partners in different Regions of the world. 
• Good knowledge of the challenges associated with the thematic areas covered by SCC and a good understanding of the tools available to work in these areas.
• Good knowledge of statistics component or equivalent knowledge and expertise gained on-the-job.  

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of English. 

Desirable qualifications 

Work Experience

• Experience in working with large-scale data collection and dissemination. 
• Experience in working with  statistical  databases  such  as  ORACLE  and  SQL.  

Languages 

• Good knowledge of French.

Assessment 

• An assessment exercise may be used in the evaluation of candidates  

How to apply

Please submit your application with:

• Completed UNESCO application form (available on the UIS website under ‘Employment and
• Procurement’); 
• Motivation letter; 
• A list of 3 references (name, title, organization, address, telephone, email), including at least one current or former direct supervisor).

Address email to: uis.recruitment@unesco.org, by 31 August 2019(midnight, Montreal time). Kindly use as email subject header: FAMILY NAME First Name PA0039 Head of SCC (e.g. SMITH Robert PA0039 Head of SCC) 

Benefits and entitlements 

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, as well as exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.  More details can be found on the ICSC Website.

Please note that UNESCO is a no-smoking Organization.