OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station: Montreal

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 22/12/2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the statistical office of UNESCO and the United Nations’ custodian agency for global statistics in education, science, technology and innovation, culture, and communication. For more than 25 years, the UIS has strengthened the global statistical system by producing internationally comparable data, developing methodologies, and supporting countries in building sustainable national data systems.

As the custodian agency for SDG 4 (Quality Education), the UIS develops global indicators, sets methodological standards, collects and validates education data, and supports Member States in monitoring progress toward Education 2030. To improve efficiency, comparability, and coverage, the UIS utilizes tools such as the Multi-Year Dynamic Templates (MYDTs) – SDG4 and education expenditure – and UIS Education Questionnaires (A, B, C). These tools assist countries in collecting and validating their data over time, identifying gaps, and improving indicator quality and consistency.

In preparation for the 2026 and 2027 UIS Education Survey cycles, the UIS requires specialized support in updating and harmonizing questionnaires, ensuring high-quality translations, conducting testing and validation, supporting the Regional Field Network (RFN) during data collection and processing, and mining national data sources.

Objectives

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the UIS and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer (Administrative Data), the Consultant will support questionnaire development and updating, data collection via the RFN operational processes and data mining to ensure high-quality inputs for the 2026 and 2027 survey cycles.

Key tasks

The key tasks are outlined below:

3.1 Activity 1 – Questionnaire Update and Development
The consultant will support the preparation, development, and testing of UIS data collection instruments:

1. Update and prepare the MYDTs for Survey Year 2026:
o Review and revise the Multi-Year Dynamic Templates (used for the 2025 survey) to align with ESS 2026 questionnaires prior to deployment in the 2026 survey.
o Integrate all improvements and feedback from UIS staff, Regional Field Network (RFN), and Member States.
o Ensure methodological coherence with updated UIS indicator definitions and validation rules.
o Ensure coherence with updated ISCED mapping

2. Support questionnaire translation:
o Support translation updates for key languages EN/FR/ES (and any additional languages as relevant).
o Review translated versions for consistency and accuracy of terminology.

3. Conduct questionnaire testing prior to the 2026 survey launch:
o Test all validation rules, formulas, cross-check procedures, and macros within the MYDT.
o Document and resolve issues prior to finalization.

4. Support development of a harmonized questionnaire for Survey Year 2027:
o Develop the harmonized questionnaire(s) for Survey Year 2027 by integrating the MYDTs (SDG4 and Education Expenditure) and Questionnaires A, B, and C, based on the detailed technical and methodological specifications provided by the UIS.
o Support functional testing, user-checking, and country pilot activities.
o Coordinate translation of the new harmonized questionnaire.
o Support pilot testing with selected countries

3.2 Activity 2 – Support to the Regional Field Network (RFN)
The consultant will provide operational and technical support to the RFN during data collection, processing, validating and follow-up:

1. Data collection support:
o Assist RFN focal points in responding to country queries related to questionnaires, definitions, and submission procedures.
o Provide clarifications on validation errors and reporting requirements.

2. Data processing support:
o Support RFN and Montreal-based staff to verify the completeness and internal consistency of the questionnaires received.
o Flag anomalies, missing values, and unusual trends in data submission and indicators for UIS review.
o Support preparation of country-by-country data review packages.

3.3 Activity 3 – Data Mining
The consultant will support the UIS team to mine and compile essential education data from national sources for target countries (to fill in data gaps in UIS database extending five years from the current reference year)

1. Mine national data sources:
o Identify, extract, and catalogue country-level data from official national sources (statistical yearbooks, EMIS reports, education budgets, etc.).
o Enter extracted data into UIS templates.
o Process and validate the mined data according to UIS methodology.

2. Compile, process, and structure extracted data:
o Produce metadata annotations and source references.
o Prepare databases summarizing the mined information for internal UIS use.

Deliverables

Deliverables

• Activity 1 – Questionnaire Update and Development includes:
  • Updating the MYDT for Survey Year 2026, incorporating all corrections, validations, and required documentation (January/February – 5 days).
  • Creating the questionnaires for Survey Year 2027, including testing outcomes and translation updates (February – 5 days).
  • Preparing a questionnaire testing report that outlines issues identified during testing and the fixes implemented (April – 20 days).

• Activity 2 – RFN Support includes:
  • Maintaining a log of all country queries and the corresponding UIS responses (April to July – 2 days).
  • Cleaning and validating questionnaire files submitted by RFN focal points (April to August – 15 days).
  • Preparing a summary report of common challenges, recurring data-quality issues, and recommended solutions (August – 3 days).

 

• Activity 3 – Data Mining includes:
  • Creating a well-structured shared folder that contains all mined national data and related documentation (April to July – 10 days).
  • Completing data-mining templates for each assigned country (April to August – 10 days).
  • Producing databases that summarize the mined information, including metadata and source references (August – 5 days).

• Final Deliverables Package includes:
  • Consolidating all datasets, templates, logs, testing reports, documentation, and translated files into UIS-approved folders (September – 2 days).
  • Preparing a final completion report summarizing all activities conducted, challenges encountered, and recommendations for upcoming survey cycles (September – 3 days).

  COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

  Accountability (C)

  Communication (C)

  Innovation (C)

  Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

  Planning and organizing (C)

  Results focus (C)

  Teamwork (C)

  Professionalism (C)

  –

  For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  Education

  • University degree in education, social sciences, statistics, mathematics, economics, international development, or a related field.

  Experience

  • At least 4 years of experience in data collection, data validation, or statistical analysis.
  • Demonstrated experience with questionnaires, survey tools, or template development.

  Skills

  • Strong analytical skills and experience working with Excel-based data tools.

  Language

  • Excellent written and spoken English.

  DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

  Experience

  • Experience with UNESCO, UIS questionnaires, or SDG 4 monitoring.

  Skills

  • Familiarity with EMIS systems or administrative data processes.

  Language

  • Knowledge of French and/ or Spanish.

  APPLICATION PROCESS

  Interested candidates should complete the on-line application, download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file, insert extra pages with the following required information:

  1. A cover letter describing interest, qualifications, availability, and proposed consultancy fee.
  2. An up-to-date CV.
  3. A brief description of suitability for the assignment and, if applicable, proposed methodology.
  4. A financial proposal indicating the all-inclusive fixed contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

  Only the proposals that include all the four aforementioned elements will be considered. Failure to provide any of those will result in an incomplete application which will not be considered.

  UNESCO places significant importance on achieving the objectives outlined in the Terms of Reference. Consequently, the evaluation of proposals will prioritize the technical components. From the proposals that meet the criteria specified in the Terms of Reference, UNESCO will select the one that provides the best value for money for the Organization.

  References

  • UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). 2012. International Standard Classification of Education: ISCED 2011. Montreal: UIS. Link.
  • UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). 2014. ISCED Fields of Education and Training 2013 (ISCED-F 2013). Montreal: UIS. Link.
  • OECD, Eurostat, and UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). 2015. ISCED 2011 Operational Manual: Guidelines for Classifying National Education Programmes and Related Qualifications. Paris: OECD Publishing. Link.
  • UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). 2015. International Standard Classification of Education: Fields of Education and Training 2013 (ISCED-F 2013) – Detailed Field Descriptions. Montreal: UIS. Link.
  • ISCED Review Panel Recommendations report (2024). Link.

  SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

  Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

  The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

  UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

  Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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