OVERVIEW
Position Number: 1CAUIS0107PA
Grade: P-2
Parent Sector: Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Duty Station: Montreal
Job Family: Education
Contract Type: Project Appointment
Duration of contract: 1 year
Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates
Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 08/07/2026
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
Contract duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) is the official source of internationally comparable data on education, science, culture and communication. Within education, UIS plays a leading role in monitoring progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), providing the data and evidence that inform education policies and priorities worldwide.
As countries and international partners generate increasing volumes of learning assessment data, UIS is expanding and modernizing its systems, methodologies and workflows to strengthen the quality, accessibility and use of global education indicators. This transformation is creating new opportunities—and greater operational complexity—in the management, validation and reporting of learning outcomes data.
The Associate Project Officer (Learning Assessment) plays a key role in supporting this work. Working within a dynamic and collaborative international team, the incumbent helps coordinate activities across countries, partner organizations and UIS units, while contributing to data management, research, project implementation and knowledge sharing. By ensuring that information, processes and partnerships are effectively managed, the position directly supports the production of reliable evidence used to monitor learning outcomes globally and advance equitable, quality education for all.
KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Learning Assessment Programme Support
- Support implementation of the learning assessment work programme, including production of the global learning indicator (Sustainable Development Goal 4.1.1), application of data eligibility criteria, and related technical workflows
- Assist in tracking workplans, deliverables and milestones, and coordinating with internal teams and external partners (implementing agencies, technical partners and countries)
- Maintain documentation of programme processes, decisions and technical guidance
2. Data Management & Quality Assurance
- Support management of learning assessment datasets and databases, including data ingestion, validation, version control, metadata documentation and harmonization, and tracking of country submissions and assessment cycles
- Assist in maintaining structured repositories of datasets, code and technical documentation
- Contribute to data quality assurance processes that safeguard the accuracy and credibility of learning assessment reporting
3. Analytical & Research Support
- Provide analytical support to indicator production, including assisting with data preparation, computation and the checking of results
- Conduct background research on learning assessment systems, international assessment frameworks and measurement methods relevant to the global learning indicator
- Support drafting of technical notes, guidance documents and background papers for governance and expert bodies
Long Description
4. Project & Operational Support
- Support day-to-day project management, including progress updates, internal reporting, coordination of inputs to technical deliverables, and monitoring of timelines to identify bottlenecks
- Assist with procurement, contract follow-up and administrative coordination of project activities
5. Capacity Building & Knowledge Management
- Support preparation of training materials and technical guidance for countries, and help organize workshops, consultations and expert meetings, including follow-up
- Maintain structured knowledge management systems (documents, templates and tracking tools) and prepare materials for international meetings
- Support internal coordination across other Institute teams and sectors
6. Partnerships & Resource Mobilization
- Compile and analyse background information for potential partnerships and funding opportunities
- Contribute inputs to the development and follow-up of funding and project proposals
COMPETENCIES - Core (C) & Managerial (M)
- Communication (C)
- Accountability (C)
- Innovation (C)
- Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
- Planning and organizing (C)
- Results focus (C)
- Teamwork (C)
- Professionalism (C)
Short Description
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in statistics, economics, data science or a closely related quantitative discipline (such as demography or applied mathematics), or in a social science with a substantial applied-statistics component.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in data management, research, or programme/project support.
- Demonstrated experience in database management and data processing, and in supporting multi-component projects or programmes.
Long Description
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Solid understanding of education and assessment concepts, statistical methods, data-processing workflows and database-management principles.
- Ability to synthesize research and technical information into clear documentation.
- Ability to support several work streams in parallel, including workplan tracking and task coordination.
- Strong written and spoken communication, including the ability to draft technical and operational documents and to support the preparation of governance materials.
LANGUAGES
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- Specialization or coursework in educational assessment, learning measurement, or international development.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experience with education data or learning assessment.
- Experience working with international or multi-country datasets and projects.
- Experience organizing workshops, managing contracts, and coordinating multi-stakeholder projects.
- Experience at the international level, within the United Nations system or a comparable organization.
- Familiarity with project-planning tools and financial-tracking systems.
Long Description
LANGUAGES
- Working knowledge of French or Spanish.
- Knowledge of another official language of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, or Russian).
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
UNESCO’s salaries consist of a basic salary and other benefits which may include if applicable: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, pension plan etc.
The approximate annual starting salary for this post is USD 75 325.
For full information on benefits and entitlements, please consult our Guide to Staff Benefits.
SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.
To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted.
The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.
Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course.
Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- UNESCO 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 to 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.
- lndividuals 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.
- Geographical mobility is required for staff members appointed to UNESCO’s international posts.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. UNESCO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. The list can be accessed through the link: https://www.whed.net
- The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
- UNESCO appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by the Organization, is required for International Professional positions.
- UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
