UNICEF looking for Statistics and Monitoring Specialist (Water and Sanititation), P-3, New York

Purpose of the Position:

You will improve relevance, quality, availability, and use of data and contextual information on children and women throughout UNICEF.  The work focuses on the areas highlighted by the MTSP and, you will give particular emphasis to the areas of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene , though other areas will also be covered, particularly household surveys.  This function is carried out in collaboration with main institutional partners, most notably with WHO under the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMP), and also in collaboration with national governments and other organizations with expertise in these areas.

Key Expected Results:

1. Data collection and analysis
• You will support UNICEF’s main focal point for global, regional and country level monitoring of drinking water and sanitation coverage and other relevant indicators, in collaboration with WHO and other international partners.
• Carry out analyses and interpretation of data relevant to the assessment of the situation of women and children, including contributions to the UNICEF flagship publications, and other reports.
• Update and maintain UNICEF global database on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
• Occasionally represent UNICEF at international meetings and other fora.

End Result(s):
Updated UNICEF global databases that are used for analysis in key reports including flagship and sector specific publications.

2. Data dissemination and advocacy
• You will devise innovative ways to best serve UNICEF’s in-house data and information needs at country, regional and global levels.
• Advise on efficient and effective ways to prepare and disseminate products and provide input into making data, analyses and products accessible and available through different media.
• Oversee the timely implementation of the JMP Communication Strategy

End Result(s):
Updated data available in key global reports, articles, and other data-related reports and on  www.childinfo.org and www.wssinfo.org
3. Data quality assurance and inter-sectoral linkages
• You will provide technical advice on reporting on the situation of women and children as required, including responding to ad hoc requests to senior management, ROs, COS, partner organization and others in the areas of drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.
• Provide organizational support to meetings of the JMP Strategic Advisory Group and Technical Task Force meetings

End Result(s):
Harmonization of data across UNICEF and partner organizations and accurate data being provided in a timely manner

4. Capacity development
• You will contribute to the capacity development of countries to monitor drinking water and sanitation coverage, in collaboration with regional and country offices.
• Contribute to developing the capacity within the organization for evidence-based policy, planning, programming and advocacy.

End Result(s):
Improved capacity of UNICEF staff, partners and governments with regards to drinking water and sanitation statistics

5. Methodological development
• Contribute to the on-going improvement in data quality at the data collection stage, including through household surveys. In collaboration with main partner WHO modify existing measurement tools and develop new tools where appropriate.  Test tools in field situations, develop guidelines for their use and provide support for implementation at country level.

End Result(s):
Through Inter-agency work improve the methods of estimating, collecting, analyzing and using water, sanitation and hygiene data.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate:

Advanced university degree in one of the social sciences with statistics; advanced training, preferably a higher degree, in statistics, public health or another area with advanced statistics, data manipulation and analysis skills.

Five years of experience at national and international levels in social/health/education statistics, sample surveys, data analysis or other areas of applied statistics, information systems and data interpretation and dissemination in sectors of concern to UNICEF, such as water and sanitation and health. A professional background or work experience in water and sanitation will be an advantage.

• Professional technical expertise in demography, statistics, or epidemiological analysis.
• Well developed computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), data bases (Access, and statistic analysis software (SPSS, Stata).
• Expertise in the analysis of household survey data, data obtained from population censuses and from administrative and routine health systems records.

Fluency in English and another UN language.

Competencies of Successful Candidate:

Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.

Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.

Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.

Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources.

Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.

Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.

Creates organization-wide processes to help ensure that all adhere to procedures and policies.

Adjusts team or department’s approach to embrace changing circumstances.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.

Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2010-002574. Applications must be received by 31 December 2010.

Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.

In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Apply By 31 December 2011.

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