Senior Statistician

United Nations
New York - United States
S: Competitive

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Director, Statistics Division, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) The Senior Statistician reports to the Inter-regional Adviser. The Statistics Division is committed to the advancement of the global statistical system. The Division compile and disseminate global statistical information develop standards and norms for statistical activities, and support countries' efforts to strengthen their national statistical systems. Further information is available on the following website: http://ww.unstats.un.org.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Senior Statistician will be responsible for the following duties:

•Plans and provides strategic leadership in the Division's work programme on the use of geographic information and associated methodological approaches for its integration with statistical data for measurement and monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals, providing both technical and managerial supervision of all activities.
•Initiates, plans and directs preparation of publications, manuals, web sites and other resources related to the Division's global geospatial information management responsibilities.
•Plans and directs technical advisory activities for national capacity building on aspects of global geospatial information management through missions, consultations and training workshops.
• Monitors, studies and analyses the trends and best practice on geospatial information management and related technologies, and assists in preparing policy advisory notes to inform governments, as well as providing inputs into intergovernmental processes.
•Prepares progress reports and other technical documentation regarding the Division's geospatial work programme for presentation to relevant councils, commissions, technical meetings and expert groups.
•Maintains close liaison and co-operation within the field of responsibility throughout the organization and with other relevant national and international institutions to ensure full co-ordination and to avoid duplication of efforts.
•Represents the organization at international and regional meetings and inter-agency activities.
•Advises senior management on trends and developments in the relevant field, and recommends appropriate courses of action.
•Plans, organizes and manages staff; plans and discusses individual work programmes with staff and evaluates their performance.
•Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies
•Professionalism: Ability to provide technical leadership and strategic advice in the development and implementation of programs, methodologies and policies with a view to improving geospatial capabilities and standards of broad applicability. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches with respect to geospatial integration development. Knowledge and substantive leadership in the use of geospatial information and related data and methods to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

•Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

•Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

•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.

•Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in statistics, geography, land information, mathematics, economics, sociology or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience level in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of geographic information, statistical data or related area is required. Experience in global geospatial information management initiatives and geospatial science-based programmes are desirable. Experience in building partnerships, donor relations, and resources mobilization is desirable.

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

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