Project Officer (Research), Global Education Monitoring Report (P3) (Quant) - Education Sector

Title: Project Officer (Research), Global Education Monitoring

 

Report

 

Domain: Education

 

Grade:  P3

 

Organizational Unit: ED/GEM

 

Duty Station: Paris

 

Type of contract: Project Appointment

Duration of the contract 1 year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds and performance

 

Annual salary: Dependent rate: approx. 87,103 USD

Single rate: approx. 81,306 USD

 

Deadline (midnight, Paris time):  10 March 2016

 

Application to be sent to:gmrpost@unesco.org

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

 

Since 2002, the Education for All Global Monitoring Report (GMR) has been an authoritative, analytical, evidence-based report monitoring progress towards the Education for All (EFA) goals, and education-related Millennium Development Goals. Developed by an independent team and published annually by UNESCO, the GMR assessed the extent to which countries met their commitments to international education targets, and proposed policies and strategies to accelerate progress. The Report is widely recognized as an indispensable reference tool for education leaders and in global education policy circles. (en.unesco.org/gem-report/reports).

 

In 2015, the mandate of the newly named Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM Report) was renewed and confirmed in the World Education Forum's Incheon Declaration (May) and in the Education 2030 Framework for Action (October). The latter states: “The GEM Report will be the mechanism for monitoring and reporting on SDG 4 and on education in the other SDGs, with due regard to the global mechanism to be established to monitor and review the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will also report on the implementation of national and international strategies to help hold all relevant partners to account for their commitments as part of the overall SDG follow-up and review.”

 

The first report in the GEM Report series will not only establish a framework for following up, reviewing and monitoring education policy priorities and key financing patterns and challenges; it will also explore the interrelationship of education and various sustainable development goals. Under the overarching theme of ‘Education, sustainability and the post-2015 development agenda’, the 2016 GEM Report will critically assess evidence to determine which education strategies, policies, and programmes are most effectively linked to the economic, social, environmental and political priorities of the sustainable development agenda. The second GEM Report, currently under development, will highlight topics related to accountability and transparency in education.

 

The GEM Report is seeking to recruit a Research Officer.

 

The main function of this post is to maintain an international database on education access, participation, attainment and learning that contributes to the monitoring of post-2015 international education targets. It will require extensive analysis of household and learning achievement survey data. The aim is to ensure that relevant and up-to-date data of good quality feed into the GEM Report and its other publications. The work is often carried out in collaboration with institutional partners with expertise in these areas.

 

UNESCO DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS.

 

Duties:

Under the authority of the Director and the supervision of the Senior Policy Analyst of the Global Education Monitoring Report, he/she will:

 

Compile data and manage databases which feed into the GEM Report and its other: publications:

• Maintain and develop the online World Inequality Database on Education
• Search actively and review critically all available household, student and school surveys with information relevant to education indicators
• Harmonise codes across datasets, explore data quality, resolve comparability issues, document methods and produce metadata
• Interact with other organisations for harmonisation and exchange of good practice
• Maintain up-to-date archive
• Test functionality of website

Analyse data to monitor international education targets in the GEM Report and its other publications: 

• Design, implement, and analyse household and school survey micro-data related to education
• Use and interpret the results to contribute to the Report and its other publications with the aim to monitor international education targets
• Provide syntheses of research literature on selected themes, with particular emphasis on inequality
• Undertake research for specific sections of the Report
• Assist in commissioning and managing external experts to conduct specific background studies
• Prepare written material for designated sections of the Report to first draft standard
• Support the editing and quality assurance of the final version of the Report
• Communicate the Report in public for a

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 

EDUCATION:

• Advanced university degree (equivalent to Masters) in a program in economics of education, education, development studies, sociology, social policy, or other related social science discipline.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

• At least 4 years of professional experience as a researcher and/or analyst in the required areas of expertise listed above of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level.
• Proven record of publications, particularly in peer reviewed journals 

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES: 

• Expertise in the following areas related to education: statistics; analysis of census or survey microdata, especially household, student and school surveys, using a major statistical software package (SPSS, STATA, or SAS)
• Proficiency in use of a major statistical or data manipulation package to manage database
•  Proficiency in use of a major statistical package (preferably STATA) to analyse survey microdata and other datasets
• Experience working with large data sets from multiple sources, notably household surveys (e.g. DHS, MICS, other national surveys) and school surveys (e.g. learning achievement)
• Experience and skill in identifying and editing large scale data sets
• Experience and skill in quality assuring data and preparing documentation and guidelines
• Knowledge of different research methods and ability to carry out statistical analysis
• Advanced knowledge of Excel
• Strong analytical, interpretation and drafting skills
• Ability to present complex relationships clearly in graphs and figures
• Ability to think critically and innovatively
• Demonstrated capacity to work under tight deadlines, managing multiple priorities
• Demonstrated ability to work independently but also, as a member of a diverse team, to work effectively and collaboratively maintaining effective collegial relations in a multi-cultural setting
• Good understanding of the international education policy and data priorities
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills

LANGUAGES:

 

·         Excellent oral and written English.

 

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

 

WORK EXPERIENCE:

 

• Direct practical experience of work in, a national education system, a major non-governmental organization or an international development agency
• Research experience in an academic setting or a research institute

LANGUAGES: 

• Good knowledge of other UN working languages preferable, particularly French or Spanish.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

 

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars and exempt from income tax. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance.

 

How to apply

 

To apply please send your application directly to ED/GEM, Education Sector, UNESCO, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07-SP, France, or by Email gmrpost@unesco.org by 10 March 2016. Candidates must send application letter and resume, in English, with UNESCO CV (form to be used). PLEASE INSERT THE

 

REFERENCE “PROJECT OFFICER (RESEARCH - DATA)” IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF THE EMAIL.

 

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, as well as nationals from developing countries.

For more information on the Global Education Monitoring Report, consult our website:http://en.unesco.org/gem-report