Data has become indispensable instrument for human-centered policies, good governance, decision-making and policy development. Data are produced and used with data systems being increasingly utilized by strategists and decision-makers. Informed organizations and institutions are better equipped to take decisions which serve the needs of various socio-economic groups and society in general. Evidence based decision-making is key to ensuring that development policies are comprehensive and lined up to serve all population groups. Hence, data gathering, analysis and dissemination is an important step in the cycle of policymaking.

Reliable data also increase public trust in institutional decisions and the transparency of interventions and policies. In this context, numerous countries in the region and wider are developing institutional infrastructure to gather, digitalize, store, manage and make data more available for decision-making and for research. Kosovo is still facing substantial problems in the implementation of Open Data among WB countries. The findings of a study on real-time monitoring of the dataset quality of open data in the Western Balkan, availability of low-quality dataset formats appears to be the biggest concern impacting data reuse. However digital transformation has a lot of potential due to institutional drive and commitment for a Digital Agenda and promotion of access to Open Government Data (OGD).

In the rapidly evolving data ecosystem with a focus on access to fast and accurate data has become a driving force for decision-makers, not least because of reduced resources offset by increased demand by the population. In this context, USAID and UNDP have partnered to bridge this data gap through the Public Pulse – a flagship research project, funded by USAID and implemented by UNDP, which has generated data spanning to 2002. Public Pulse has emerged as a stalwart of ‘data hub’ which responds to Kosovo’s needs for data availability and its use for informed policymaking. Public Pulse V builds on results to date and introduces new methods data extraction and supports local capacity development through the following activities:

(1) Public Pulse biannual opinion polls;

(2) Public Pulse Analysis;

(3) Data Visualization Platform;

(4) Capacity development and technical support.

Scope of Work 

Functional Competencies: 

Functions / Key Results Expected

The Statistician/Project Associate, under direct supervision of the Project Manager will be directly responsible for:

1. The quality control of statistical databases received from contractor(s);
2. Statistical analysis of all surveys undertaken in UNDP;
3. Developing and maintaining of the databases using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS);
4. Analyzing survey results data, including frequencies, crosstabulations, means tables, multivariate analyses, and tests of statistical significance.

Support the implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UNDP Policies and the UNDP Kosovo Standard Operating Procedures: 

• Support the project manager in daily activities of the project, with a focus on implementing all research products;
• Contributes to the development of methodologies, guidelines and selection of indicators for monitoring of PP III indicators.
• Support the project manager in development of Terms of References, Request for Proposal, and the other necessary documentation as deemed necessary.
• Monitor the implementation of the contractor(s) activities as relates to data collection and ensures that all data from PP products is regularly and correctly processed in SPSS;
• Supports the project manager in preparing regular updates, progress reports, work plans, and assist in drafting final project reports as per UNDP rules and regulations, and ensure that gender dimensions are highlighted in all products.
• Contributes to the production and dissemination of communication and promotion materials, in particular online resources; Contribute to the planning and organization of project board meetings.
• Participate in regular internal meetings and training events.

Monitor progress and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled, and problems addressed; Reporting on progress including measures to address challenges and opportunities:

• Contribute to knowledge management activities, including monitoring and evaluation, and ensure capturing of gender disaggregated results.
• Facilitate the cooperation and liaising between beneficiaries and the project to ensure timely and qualitative implementation of project activities.
• Identify changes in the external environment and promptly advise the project manager on necessary solutions or actions.

Support partnerships, advocacy, and knowledge management activities at project level  

• Support the project manager in developing partnerships with national and international stakeholders and partners to guarantee coordination, prevent overlapping of activities, ensure lessons learned are gathered and disseminated, and identify possibilities for organizing joint activities;
• Be familiar with the activities of other development projects in the sector/area, establish contact and keep up-to date with their work;
• Support the Project Manager in developing/strengthening partnerships and advocacy activities agreed by the UNDP office in the area/sector covered by the project.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Impact of Results

The Statistician’s/Project Associate’s inputs will have a direct impact on the implementation of the project and the achievement of results in a timely manner and within the prescribed budget.

Institutional Arrangement

The Statistician/Project Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager.

Core
Achieve Results:               LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:           LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:         LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:           LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:   LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:        LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:   LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management (Working with Evidence and Data)    
•    Ability to inspect, clean, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making
Business Management (Digital Awareness and Literacy)    
•    Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
Business Management (Customer Satisfaction/Client Management)  
•    Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Management (Communication)   
•    Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Business Development (Knowledge Generation) 
•    Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Digital & Innovation (Co-creation) 
•    Ability to design and facilitate a process that enables a diverse group of stakeholders to solve a common problem, develop a practice, or create knowledge together.
Ability to embrace diversity, work with a diverse group of stakeholders understand their interests, perspectives and views and tap into to them as a source for creativity.
•    Ability to facilitate processes and create conditions that are open for diverse inputs, stimulate collaboration and sharing.
Digital & Innovation (Data literacy)  =
•    Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Academic Education   
•   Secondary education is required, or
•    University degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Statistics, Social Sciences, Information Technology, will be given due consideration but it is not a requirement.

Min. years of relevant Work experience  
•    A minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of professional experience as a statistician;
•    A minimum of 3 years’ experience in the use of SPSS at a proficient level is required;
•    A minimum of 3 years’ experience in research, and analysis of statistical data;
•    Experience in social and policy development is required;
•    A minimum of 3 years’ experience in writing analytical documents based on data/statistical information;
•    Experience in coordinating complex activities with diverse range of partners in a multi-cultural context;
•    Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Experience in handling of web based management systems.

Required  skills and competencies                                                                                                                                                             

Corporate Competencies  
•    Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•    Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
•    Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
•    Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
•    Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
•    Actively promotes gender equality in all Project activities.

Functional competencies: 
•    Excellent organizational and planning skills;
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to build trust;
•    Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects implementation;
•    Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches;
•    Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams, delivering through and with others; Responds positively to new approaches;
•    Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
•    Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work  assignments;
•    Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
•    Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
•    Responds to client needs promptly

Required Language(s) (at working level) 
•    Fluency in English and Albanian or Serbian is required.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants: 
a) Personal P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.