Director - Statistics Division

United Nations
Bangkok - Thailand
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting
The mandate of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is to promote regional cooperation for inclusive economic and social development in the Asian and Pacific region. ESCAP's role as a regional development arm of the United Nations Secretariat is to support its membership, through its analytical, normative and technical cooperation, to respond to the development priorities and changing needs of the Asian and Pacific region.

The Director of the Statistics Division reports directly to the Executive Secretary, and manages staff of the Division in three main areas: economic and environment statistics, population and social statistics, and statistical data management. In addition, the Director 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 ESCAPs work programme.

Responsibilities
Under the leadership of the Executive Secretary the Director of Statistics Division will be responsible for the following:

• Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Statistics Division with a special emphasis on align work with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals.

• Manages the activities undertaken by the Division, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas within the Division, with other ESCAP Divisions and Institutes, and other organizations of the United Nations System, as appropriate.

• Oversees the timely development, effective implementation and results based reporting on the ESCAP subprogramme on statistics. Co-ordinates the work carried out by work units under the Division

• Works with other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system especially by leading statistical discussions and developing and implementing statistical activities of the Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Groups.

• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and its subsidiary committees, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate and provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others

• Supports the development and implementation of the recommendations of the Committee on Statistics and the decisions of the Commission in promoting statistics development, planning and directing the Division's work programme accordingly, including the provision of technical assistance activities for national capacity building through missions, expert consultations, technical meetings and training workshops.

•Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.

•Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data.

• Oversees the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.

• Ensures due account of geographical and gender balance is considered in recruitment.

• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.

• Leads and represents the Division in 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.

Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the field of official statistics and areas of the work being supervised. Ability to produce analytical reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others, ensuring quality outputs and outcomes. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in statistics, economics, demography or other related social science area. Ph.D degree desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in statistics, including several years at the international level is required. Experience in leading and managing a sizable work unit is desirable. Experience in official statistical work in developing countries in the Asia and the Pacific region is highly desirable. Experience in development of statistical programmes is desirable. Experience in providing technical support for national capacity building through missions, expert consultations, technical meetings or training workshops in statistics is desirable. Experience in developing policies, programme planning, or analyses in statistics is an asset. Experience in results-based budgeting is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Job summary