Questionnaire Development and Data Processing Consultant

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)

Duty Station : Montreal

Classification of duty station : filter12

Standard Duration of Assignement : filter13

Job Family : Education

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 22 / 12 / 2025

UNESCO Core Values : Commitment to the Organization Integrity Respect for Diversity Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Background

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the statistical office of UNESCO and the United Nations custodian agency for global statistics in education science technology and innovation culture and communication. For more than 25 years the UIS has strengthened the global statistical system by producing internationally comparable data developing methodologies and supporting countries in building sustainable national data systems.

As the custodian agency for SDG 4 (Quality Education) the UIS develops global indicators sets methodological standards collects and validates education data and supports Member States in monitoring progress toward Education 2030. To improve efficiency comparability and coverage the UIS utilizes tools such as the Multi-Year Dynamic Templates (MYDTs) - SDG4 and education expenditure - and UIS Education Questionnaires (A B C). These tools assist countries in collecting and validating their data over time identifying gaps and improving indicator quality and consistency.

In preparation for the 2026 and 2027 UIS Education Survey cycles the UIS requires specialized support in updating and harmonizing questionnaires ensuring high-quality translations conducting testing and validation supporting the Regional Field Network (RFN) during data collection and processing and mining national data sources.

Objectives

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the UIS and the direct supervision of the Senior Project Officer (Administrative Data) the Consultant will support questionnaire development and updating data collection via the RFN operational processes and data mining to ensure high-quality inputs for the 2026 and 2027 survey cycles.

Key tasks

The key tasks are outlined below :

3.1 Activity 1 Questionnaire Update and Development

The consultant will support the preparation development and testing of UIS data collection instruments :

1. Update and prepare the MYDTs for Survey Year 2026 :

o Review and revise the Multi-Year Dynamic Templates (used for the 2025 survey) to align with ESS 2026 questionnaires prior to deployment in the 2026 survey.

o Integrate all improvements and feedback from UIS staff Regional Field Network (RFN) and Member States.

o Ensure methodological coherence with updated UIS indicator definitions and validation rules.

o Ensure coherence with updated ISCED mapping

2. Support questionnaire translation :

o Support translation updates for key languages EN / FR / ES (and any additional languages as relevant).

o Review translated versions for consistency and accuracy of terminology.

3. Conduct questionnaire testing prior to the 2026 survey launch :

o Test all validation rules formulas cross-check procedures and macros within the MYDT.

o Document and resolve issues prior to finalization.

4. Support development of a harmonized questionnaire for Survey Year 2027 :

o Develop the harmonized questionnaire(s) for Survey Year 2027 by integrating the MYDTs (SDG4 and Education Expenditure) and Questionnaires A B and C based on the detailed technical and methodological specifications provided by the UIS.

o Support functional testing user-checking and country pilot activities.

o Coordinate translation of the new harmonized questionnaire.

o Support pilot testing with selected countries

3.2 Activity 2 Support to the Regional Field Network (RFN)

The consultant will provide operational and technical support to the RFN during data collection processing validating and follow-up :

1. Data collection support :

o Assist RFN focal points in responding to country queries related to questionnaires definitions and submission procedures.

o Provide clarifications on validation errors and reporting requirements.

2. Data processing support :

o Support RFN and Montreal-based staff to verify the completeness and internal consistency of the questionnaires received.

o Flag anomalies missing values and unusual trends in data submission and indicators for UIS review.

o Support preparation of country-by-country data review packages.

3.3 Activity 3 Data Mining

The consultant will support the UIS team to mine and compile essential education data from national sources for target countries (to fill in data gaps in UIS database extending five years from the current reference year)

1. Mine national data sources :

o Identify extract and catalogue country-level data from official national sources (statistical yearbooks EMIS reports education budgets etc.).

o Enter extracted data into UIS templates.

o Process and validate the mined data according to UIS methodology.

2. Compile process and structure extracted data :

o Produce metadata annotations and source references.

o Prepare databases summarizing the mined information for internal UIS use.

Deliverables

Deliverables

• Activity 1 Questionnaire Update and Development includes :

Updating the MYDT for Survey Year 2026 incorporating all corrections validations and required documentation (January / February 5 days).

Maintaining a log of all country queries and the corresponding UIS responses (April to July 2 days).

Creating a well-structured shared folder that contains all mined national data and related documentation (April to July 10 days).

Consolidating all datasets templates logs testing reports documentation and translated files into UIS-approved folders (September 2 days).

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)

Communication (C)

Innovation (C)

Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)

Planning and organizing (C)

Results focus (C)

Teamwork (C)

Professionalism (C)

For detailed information please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework .

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Experience

Skills

Language

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Experience

Skills

Language

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates should complete the on-line application download and complete the Employment History form (Word file). At the end of the Word file insert extra pages with the following required information :

Only the proposals that include all the four aforementioned elements will be considered. Failure to provide any of those will result in an incomplete application which will not be considered.

UNESCO places significant importance on achieving the objectives outlined in the Terms of Reference. Consequently the evaluation of proposals will prioritize the technical components. From the proposals that meet the criteria specified in the Terms of Reference UNESCO will select the one that provides the best value for money for the Organization.

References

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice and may include tests and / or assessments as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference e-mail correspondence etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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U NESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ( last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.

Required Experience :

Contract

Key Skills

Active Directory,Data Entry,Clearance,LAN,Database Development,Electronic Discovery,Peripheral Equipment,Windows,QC,Software Managements,Data Files,RAN,Backup,Data Processing,Setup

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1