Senior Labour Statistician - P4 (Temporal parental leave replacement)

Introduction

The ILO has a short-term opportunity for the temporary replacement of a staff member taking a period of 26 weeks of parental leave. The position is located in the Department of Statistics, within the Statistical Standards and Methods Unit (SSMU). The main duties and responsibilities are as set out below. The opportunity is time bound and there is no expectation of extension beyond the period of the parental leave. 

This temporary position is located in the ILO Department of Statistics (STATISTICS), within the Statistical Standards and Methods Unit (SSMU). STATISTICS supports the development of international statistical standards in the field of decent work through the International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS), the UN Statistical Commission, and other international fora. It provides ILO constituents with technical assistance to improve their ability to produce primary survey data, in accordance with agreed international statistical standards, classifications and concepts (primarily, though not solely though national labour force surveys (LFS)). It is also responsible for building capacities of ILO constituents, for compiling and disseminating ILO statistics related to the world of work, and for reporting on the global indicators to monitor Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

LFS are the primary source of official national statistics on the labour force. LFS support the production of headline labour market indicators and longer-term trends in the composition of the labour market, the workforce, working conditions, and the job-search activities of the unemployed. As such, LFS are an essential input for national planning and monitoring. 

Since 2013 an extensive set of new statistical standards have been adopted which inform the design of labour force surveys and other sources used to compile labour statistics. The principal duties for the short-term position relate to supporting the work of the unit to assist countries in the implementation of the standards and the dissemination and communication of the results generated from different sources.

Description of Duties

Technical assistance and capacity building

In collaboration with other members of the Statistical Standards and Methods unit and aligning to ILO published guidance on the implementation of the latest statistical standards:

• Provide training and direct technical assistance to national statistical offices to support planning and implementation of statistical standards adopted at the 19th, 20th and 21st ICLS, including analysis and the production of statistical indicators in line with ILO published guidance.
• Provide training and direct technical assistance on the use of administrative sources for the generation of labour statistics.
• Reviewing existing guidance and practices for the use of administrative data and generate guidance and briefings on the applicability of these to labour statistics. 
• Development of guidance on the communication of statistics based on the statistical standards adopted at the 19th, 20th and 21s ICLS, including proposed indicators, handling breaks in series and practical templates for use by countries.
• Develop and deliver presentations as part of training courses, workshops, and seminars on the dissemination and communication of labour statistics, referencing and building on existing ILO training materials and resources. 

Advocacy, networking, and partnerships

• Support the dissemination and promotion of ILO guidance and tools to a wide audience to promote national level implementation.
• Undertake other relevant duties, as assigned. 

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree with relevant experience in statistics.

Other technical skills

Expertise in quantitative analysis of data sample surveys with complex designs; experience with statistical packages, preferably STATA and/or R. 
 

Experience

Seven or more years of experience in the design, implementation, and statistical analysis of labour force surveys or other sources of labour statistics. Experience in the implementation of  national labour force surveys or similar nationally representative household sample surveys and the communication of results from labour force surveys. Professional experience working at the international level. Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures, including experience working with officials of national statistical organisations and ministries would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. One additional official language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian) would be an advantage.

Competencies

• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by
• maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide relevant and effective technical advice on the topics specified.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.