Lecturer/Statistician Related To Big Data Statistics, P3 At UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote sustainable and inclusive development and regional connectivity in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP’s role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership with policyoriented research and analysis, normative support and technical assistance and capacity building, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region. The Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), located in Chiba, Japan, was established in May 1970 as a centre for statistical training in Asia and the Pacific. SIAP is a subsidiary body of ESCAP with a Governing Council which reviews the administration and financial status of the Institute and the implementation of its programme of work. SIAP’s mission is to strengthen, through practically oriented training of official statisticians, the capability of the developing members and associate members and economics in transition of the region to collect, analyze and disseminate statistics as well as to produce timely and high quality statistics that can be utilized for economic and social development planning, and to assist those developing members and associate members and economies in transition in establishing or strengthening their statistical training capability and other related activities. The Institute supports the overall work programme of the ESCAP Statistics subprogramme. This position is located in the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (SIAP), Chiba, Japan. The incumbent reports directly to the Director of the Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific.

JOB RESPONSIBILTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of SIAP, the Statistician/Lecturer will be responsible for the following functions:

• Designs, plans and conducts training in (a) statistical methods and analysis, including data visualization, of survey data as well as data from other sources, (b) production of geospatial statistics, (c) analysis of big data both from official systems and private sectors and (d) data literacy.

• Prepares/updates contents of training materials based on international standards, results of methodological research and improved statistical methods and quantitative models for face- to-face and e-learning training sessions.

• Manages the Institute’s e-learning management system(s).

• Leads the design of web-based training courses, with a particular focus on the production and analysis of SDG indicators

• Represents SIAP in international, regional and intergovernmental forums

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUESTED WORKING EXPERIENCE

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, analysis and dissemination of statistical data or related area in national or international statistical systems is required. Substantive expertise in statistical areas described in the responsibilities of the post, such as analyzing survey data, big data (e.g., unstructured text data from social networks), geospatial data (e.g., satellite imagery), data wrangling using open source programming languages in addition to traditional statistical packages is required, Experience in utilizing cloud computer platforms, machine learning algorithms including artificial neural networks, experience in use of alternative sources of data (e.g., mobile phone data and modernization of official data collection systems using new technologies) is required. Experience in designing and delivering effective statistical training, including web-based training courses using learning management systems and experience in teaching basics statistics and computer programming are required. Proven experience in designing and delivering curriculum on big data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) or data visualization etc. is desirable. Hands-on experience with tools and platforms such as AI/ML frameworks, data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI), Programming in Python, R, SQL etc. is desirable. Experience in analyses of sustainable development issues and the use of statistics in national development policy analysis and formulation in developing countries to countries in Asia and the Pacific is desirable. Experience in applying AI/ML to analyze, measure and integrate SDG related data is desirable. Experience presenting in international conference or workshops on sustainable development related to data science is desirable. Experience presenting in international conference or workshops on sustainable development related to data science is desirable.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. ESCAP is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality within the Secretariat. Women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. This post is funded from extra budgetary resources. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment will be subject to annual renewal based on performance, funding availability, and continuation of function, with a maximum term of employment as mandated by the SIAP Statute (https://www.unsiap.or.jp/about/statute.html). The candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on the Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position.