Result of Service

By 1 December: o Output 1: Detailed workplan with key outputs and targets o Output 2: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks o Output 3: Final revised draft of the metadata guidance developed under Data for Now and the Collaborative of Administrative Data

By 1 January: o Output 4: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks
By 1 February: o Output 5: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks o Output 6: Draft Annual Progress Report for submission to donors
By 1 March: o Output 7: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks
By 31 March: o Output 8: Monthly report on the progress on the implementation of activities according to the listed tasks o Output 9: Final report providing an overview of all contributions made and a recommendation for next steps for the project overall. Performance indicators
Communication with the countries and the degree to which in-country contacts are handled diplomatically
Quality of the workshop contributions, assessment report and guidance materials prepared and development; including the degree of them being reader-friendly, concise, clearly structured, organized and written.
Collaboration with the UNSD project team and other key stakeholders to the project.
Timeliness of delivery of outputs

Work Location

The consultancy is home-based with regular phone and web conference meetings with UNSD, project countries and other international partners.

Expected duration

The initial consultancy is for the period 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2026, with the possibility of extension.

Duties and Responsibilities

The 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. In this context, as part of the implementation of the Data for Now 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 engagement of subject matter experts and related tasks. As part of the broader effort to promote the initiative’s work and support a wider audience, the work also includes the development of reporting and communication materials, as well as support in the delivery of training programmes. Where relevant to the project, the consultant will also support other work related to increasing availability of SDG indicators and innovation, and development of practical guide and resources for countries. The activities highlighted above also require close collaboration with the Data for Now team of UNSD as well as key Data for Now partners including GPSDD, the World Bank, UNDP and SDSN, as well as relevant UN agencies and UN country team, donors and other international partners supporting statistical development initiatives linked to the initiative. Work assignment Under the supervision of the project coordinator at UNSD, the consultant’s 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 at least two project countries, supporting them in progressing the work as prioritized and agreed and contributing to increased availability, quality and timeliness of disaggregated data in the prioritized areas.
Jointly with UNSD project team and other key stakeholders support the delivery of workshops and trainings in project countries and online.
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, 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, including by developing new tools and guidance materials, as well as providing inputs to existing ones.
Support the Data for Now related side events during the UN Statistical Commission.
Contribute to communications and outreach work to visualize results to various stakeholders and partners. This includes the production of data stories and the regular update of the Data for Now webpages with information on events and related materials.
Contribute to donor reporting as it relates to the Data for Now initiative.
Support administrative work as relevant.
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. A minimum of five (5) years of experience working with national statistical offices, providing capacity development, including guidance and training is required. Solid knowledge of statistical production, ideally with particular focus on the use of non-traditional data sources, metadata development, and quality management is required. Experience in project or programme management and stakeholder engagement in data and statistics is required. Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and national efforts to implement them is desirable.

Languages

Full command of spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Additional Information

The payment is calculated in accordance with the UN salary scales. Payment will be made upon satisfactory submission of all deliverables as per agreed schedules. 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 Fee

THE 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.

Consultant - Capacity Development, Data For Now initiative