Economist/Learning Assessment Analyst

Position description

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life, because proper care at the youngest age forms the strongest foundation for a person’s future.

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

For over 75 years, UNICEF has been working tirelessly for child rights and for the well-being of every child. The UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) is dedicated to advancing the rights of all children in South Asia, especially the most marginalized and disadvantaged. It supports eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Through its advisory and leadership roles, UNICEF ROSA is placed in a strategic position to influence policies, strategies, and programming at both national and sub-national levels across South Asia.

UNICEF vision for education is that ‘every child learns’, articulated in the 2019-2030 Education Strategy across three inter-related goals: (i) equitable access to learning opportunities; (ii) improved learning and skills for all; (iii) improved learning and protection for children in emergencies and transitions. UNICEF ROSA contributes to ensuring that girls and boys, especially the most disadvantaged, acquire the skills they need in an inclusive, equitable, safe, relevant and quality learning environment.

In particular, the Education team supports South Asia Country Offices (CO) on foundational learning, one of the 4 areas for acceleration for UNICEF in the region. Measuring learning and using the measurement both in the classroom (including for formative assessment for targeted instruction) and at system level, is critical for improving learning outcomes and improving foundational learning, in particular for the most vulnerable children.

This UNV position is to support COs capacity strengthening in learning assessment and its use. The position will contribute to inform the programming of governments, the international community in general, and UNICEF country offices in particular, on how to strengthen education systems and improve foundational learning in all settings.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Education Advisor, the UNV Economist/Statistician – Learning Assessment/Psychometrics] will undertake the following tasks, for the South Asia region:

• Provide support to Country Offices and Ministries of education in South Asia for improving learning assessment systems and tools and facilitating their use (at national, sub-national and school levels) for education policy decision making, education system strengthening, gender equality and community empowerment, including in emergency settings.

• Support the analysis of the implementation and achievements of the 2022-2025 UNICEF Strategic Plan (Goal “Every child learns and acquires skills for the future”) and of the 2019-2030 global UNICEF Education Strategy, and related theories of change.

• Develop methodological notes and guidance

• Organize and update UNICEF’s SharePoint

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);

• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;

• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;

• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;

• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Required experience
3 years of experience in psychometrics, economics or statistics; experience in the field of learning assessment is an asset.
• Full proficiency in the use of statistical software
• Knowledge of education indicators, in particular on learning outcomes, is an asset
• Knowledge of VBA for Excel is an asset
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in international development and education, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system. Experience of working with UNICEF, sister UN agencies and other partners is an asset

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in psychometrics, economics or statistics.

Application instructions

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