STATISTICIAN

This position is located in the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), based in New York. The Statistician will report directly to a senior Statistician in the Cost-of-Living Division (COLD).

Responsibilities

Under general supervision of the Chief of the Cost-of-Living Division and within delegated authority, the Statistician will be responsible for the following duties:

• Contributing to the development of the cost-of-living measurement methodology and of appropriate methods for obtaining relevant data.
• Conducting periodic cost-of-living surveys at UN Common system duty stations and assuring the quality of the collected data with respect to accuracy, consistency and international comparability.
• Conducting in-depth analyses of cost-of-living data, constructing and updating, on a monthly basis, cost-of-living indices that form the basis for the payment of cost-of-living allowances.
• Contributing to the development and testing of relevant databases, web publishing tools, and other software for the collection, storage and distribution of statistical data.
• Conducting methodological research in cost-of-living measurement related to standards on concepts, methods and definitions.
• Preparing and presenting technical papers for the Commission and its subsidiary body, the Advisory Committee on Post Adjustment Questions (ACPAQ), or ad-hoc working groups or task forces.
• Developing new or improved statistical methods and quantitative models for analyses and projections.
• Drafting responses to queries from, and providing feedback and support to, the administrations of organizations and staff representatives on technical aspects of the cost-of-living survey methodology. Developing training materials for, and facilitating, workshops on cost-of-living survey methodology.
• Planning, organizing and supervising the work of assigned statistical assistants of the Division.
• Performing other related duties as required

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of statistical principles and practices. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience, especially in delivering technical explanations or clarifications to non-statisticians; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in statistics, mathematics, economics or a directly related field. A first-level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualification and extensive experience in a related field may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of statistical data; including at least two years of experience in the areas of price index compilation (Consumer price index and similar indices) or cost-of-living measurement and related statistics

Experience using MS applications especially Excel and Access for purposes of statistical analysis and modeling and database management is required

Experience in the areas of international comparison of prices or compilation of statistical indices for compensation purposes, is desirable

Ability to automate tasks in Excel using VBA or proficiency with common statistical packages, is desirable

Hands-on experience in providing support to the conduct of technical projects or meetings, including presentations, discussions with stakeholders and reporting thereof, in related statistical fields, such as survey methodology, price indices or economic statistics, is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates will include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.