Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Statistics Division. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme and manages staff of the Division in three main areas: economic and environment statistics, population and social statistics, and statistical data management. The Director oversees generation and communication of data-driven analyses in support of decision-making processes, strategy development processes and strategy execution, and 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. The Director co-chairs the Asia-Pacific Regional Collaboration Platform Working Group on Data and the Statistics and is ESCAP’s focal point for the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy
Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Programme, and overall supervision of the Executive Secretary, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions:
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Statistics Division with a special emphasis on strategy for and analysis of data and statistics for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units of the Statistics Division and by other institutes, agencies and bodies of the United Nations system including the Asia-Pacific Regional Collaborative Platform. Represents ESCAP on the Secretary-General’s Data Strategy Data Action Group.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of data, statistical and analytical reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the ESCAP Commission and Committee on Statistics, Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and on programmatic/ substantive issues.
• Ensures that the outputs and reports produced by the Statistics Division meet standards and comply with the relevant mandates.
• Prepares the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Statistics Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of gender and geographical balance.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters innovation and teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries.
• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Leads and represents the Division at 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.
• Leads and manages strategy development for key projects and oversees strategy execution.
Requirements:
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography, or other related social science data area.
A relevant 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.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in statistics, including five years at the international level is required.
Experience in official statistical work in or with developing countries in the Asia and the Pacific region, including through consensus building, is highly desirable.
Experience working in a national statistical organization or institute is highly desirable.
Experience in leading and managing a work unit with more than five professional staff is highly desirable.
Experience in providing technical support or national capacity building in statistics through missions, expert consultations, technical meetings or training workshops is highly desirable.
Experience in developing policies, programme planning, or analyses in statistics is desirable.
Experience in results-based budgeting is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
