Dubai, Statistician

UN

Closing date: 21 Sep 2009
Location: United Arab Emirates (the) - Dubai

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) are jointly sponsoring an Arab Knowledge Report (AKR), which will independently analyze and monitor trends and issues affecting knowledge in the Arab world. The Second of these Reports will be published in Arabic and English towards the end of 2010 and more reports will follow.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Arab Knowledge Report and reporting to him, the incumbent shall be responsible of:

Supporting the production of the Arab Knowledge Report (AKR). This includes:

• Contributing to the body of knowledge of the AKR project by conducting specific research tasks as directed by the project Director, especially those related to all statistics, data, and information (quantitative and qualitative) in the AKR including scanning sources for new development fields, as well as conducting in-depth research on specific substantive areas;
• Contribute to the preparation of background materials including those related to the Table of Contents, Index, Bibliography, List of Background Papers, and other content as determined by the project Director and UNDP;
• Gather and tabulate all data and information related to the preparation of AKR 2010 and “knowledge” in the Arab region and in the world at large. This includes web searches from UN and other data bases, revision of available resources and publications, and all other forms of accessible/available data bases and information systems;
• Conduct statistical analysis of collected data to address questions and issues of the AKR pending on the theme and as requested by the AKR Director;
• Revise and verify the accuracy of all data, and any related statistical analysis, that goes into the AKR. This includes all data gathered/presented/prepared by the core team and authors of background papers and any other statistics requested by the AKR Director;
• Be responsible of the accurate and timely preparation of the statistical annex for the AKR as determined by the project Director and UNDP;
• Check all references of the AKR, particularly those related to all statistics data and information, for accuracy and conformity with style determined by the project Director and UNDP. This includes checking all references, including web links, contained in document to ensure they are correct and updated at all times and “live”;
• Conduct “fact-checking” of final text in all stages of producing the AKR, including making sure that data used in text corresponds to data appearing in statistical tables, and ensuring that all proper nouns (people, places, institutions) and terminology, particularly statistical, are correctly identified and spelled;
• Support editing and final printing of the report;
• Support meetings and workshops including those of the AKR Board and core team authors;
• Help developing future plans of action;
• Monitor on regular basis progress of the Team of Background Papers, particularly in relation to accuracy and proper documentation of used data and information, against timeline agreed in Research Work Plan and regularly eport on progress to the project Director;
• Maintain an electronic filing system of all documents, data, information and correspondence related to the Report, including a repository of all sources referenced in the Report particularly those related to the statistics; and
• Perform other project management functions as requested by the project Director.

Building and managing the “Arab Knowledge Databank”. This includes:

• Building an easily accessible “ knowledge data bank/database” system. This includes suggesting the structure of the data base, kind of information to be collected, and indicating the potentials of analysis and outcomes;
• Managing information and keeping a computer filing system of all statistical data collection related to the issue of knowledge in the Arab region;
• Supervising and managing all steps of field surveys for the AKR starting from the phase of conceptualization, to commissioning to design to conduction of the survey, data collection, cleaning, tabulation and presentation;
• Help in tabulation of data, analysis and presentation of all data collected through surveys;
• Produce statistical reports on periodic basis;
• Help developing future plans of action related to establishment and maintenance of the databank; and
• Perform other project management functions as requested by the project Director;

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; and
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age, sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies

• Demonstrates ability at managing information systems.
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices to ensure quality of work.
• Demonstrates adequate competency in the process of creating and organizing a data bank.
• Demonstrates ability to research, analyze, interpret and disseminate a wide variety of data and information.
• Demonstrates organizational skills and ability to establish priorities, to plan, co-ordinate and to monitor progress.
• Shows high ability to supervise field surveys.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills and an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with counterparts and staff in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment. and
• Demonstrates Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally.

Education/Experience/Language

Academic Requirements:

• Bachelor degree in Statistics or related field.
• An M.A. degree is an asset
• Experience:
• Three to five years professional experience in the field from which two are in field survey.
• Experience in report production an advantage.
• Languages:
• Fluency in Arabic and English; competency in French an asset.
• Computer skills:
• Proficiency in current office software applications. High-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of SPSS and other data analysis software

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org

How to apply

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) English Version, via e-mail to rpas@unops.org
Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Reference Code: RW_7VKELK-67