Consultant - Capacity Development, Data For Now initiative

Result of Service• By 1 October: Output 1: Detailed workplan with key outputs and targets Output 2: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks • By 1 November: Output 3: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks • By 1 December: Output 4: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks • By 1 January: Output 5: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks • By 31 January: Output 6: Final report providing an overview of all contributions made and a recommendation for next steps for the project overall. Work LocationThe consultancy is home-based with regular phone and web conference meetings with UNSD, project countries and other partners, particularly UN regional commissions and other involved DESA entities. Expected durationThe initial consultancy is for a period of 5 months, from 1 September 2025 to 31 January 2026. Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Data for Now initiative (https://unstats.un.org/capacity-development/data-for-now/), co-led by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), aims to develop countries’ capacities to deliver the information needed by local and national policy and decision makers to achieve the 2030 Agenda. To this end, it supports members of the national statistical systems in participating countries to collaborate more effectively with local, national and global partners from intergovernmental organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector, in order to leverage innovative sources, technologies and methods for the streamlined production and dissemination of better, more timely and disaggregated data for sustainable development. Ensuring that staff have the necessary trainings they need is key to help ensure the objectives of the Data for Now initiative more generally. The newly developed Statistical Training needs Assessment Tool (STAT) can be a very useful resource in this context, both for national statistical offices (NSOs) and the wider national statistical system (NSS). It is developed to identify training needs among staff and, based on that, prioritize what trainings are most needed. The tool further provides NSOs with an overview of potential approaches to fill the training needs, considering informal training, use of e-learning, collaboration with academia etc. The consultant will support selected countries with the implementation of this tool, also engaging with the Global Network of Institutions for Statistical Training (GIST) which is behind the tool. In this context, as part of the implementation of the Data4Now initiative, UNSD is looking for a consultant who can support the overall implementation in selected countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This includes regular engagement with the focal points at the National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in the countries and other key stakeholders at national level for implementation of agreed activities, technical support on selected activities, including use of the STAT tool, engagement of subject matter experts and related tasks. The activities highlighted above also require close collaboration with the Data for Now team of UNSD as well as key partners including GIST members, GPSDD, the World Bank, UNDP and SDSN, as well as the UN country team, donors and other international partners supporting statistical development initiatives linked to the initiative. Under the supervision of the project coordinator at UNSD, the work assignment will involve the following: • Prepare a detailed plan of activities, specifying key outputs and timelines, in close consultation with the UNSD team. • Perform consultation assignments and engage with project countries, supporting them in progressing the work as prioritized and agreed. • Jointly with UNSD project team and other key stakeholders conduct workshops and trainings in project countries, including a workshop in one country for the implementation of GIST. • Contribute to project coordination, including reporting and follow up with countries and other key stakeholders, particularly regional commissions, UN Resident Coordinators and other partners engaged in the project countries on statistics work. • Engage with partners and stakeholders at the regional and global level, including the Data for Now core-team, the GIST team, UN agencies, donors as well as partners in civil society, academia, private sector, etc. • Contribute to methodological work for thematic areas (f.ex. poverty, environment or cross cutting such as gender, disability and overall inclusion) or key. processes/methodology (f.ex. statistical training, metadata, small area estimation, citizen science or data integration) that can be linked to SDG implementation. • Support the Data for Now and other related side-events, as well as joining meetings with partner countries, during the UN Statistical Commission. • Contribute to communications and outreach work to visualize results to various stakeholders and partners. • Fulfil other tasks related to Data for Now as assigned by supervisor. Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, development studies, international relations, public administration, or a related field. A Bachelor’s degree in combination with twelve (12) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in social sciences, including statistics or economics, is required • Solid knowledge of statistical production, ideally with particular focus on the use of traditional and non-traditional data sources, metadata development, and quality management is required. • Experience in project or programme management is required. • Experience working with National Statistical Offices, providing capacity development, including guidance and training is required. • Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and national efforts to implement them is desirable. LanguagesFull command of spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage. Additional InformationThe payment is calculated in accordance with the UN salary scales. The total amount of fees will be divided into five equal parts corresponding to the deliverables. Each installment will be paid upon submission of the deliverables. DESA will cover the consultant's travel expenses when travel is required to selected project countries to participate in meetings, hold workshops and events. All travel will be arranged and processed in accordance with the Organization's regulations and rules, and the related costs will be obligated separately. No FeeTHE 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.