Consultancy: Learning Assessments and SDG 4 Indicator Methodology

The UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) seeks a consultant to support the revision and development of guidance materials and communication products related to learning assessments and SDG 4 indicators. The consultant will contribute to methodological work, update datasets, and prepare analytical products to strengthen the dissemination and use of UIS education data.

Responsibilities

• Revise the Buyer's Guide to International Student Assessments (2025 edition) incorporating feedback from consultations.
• Develop a concept and implementation proposal for an interactive online decision tree for learning assessments.
• Develop a communication and advocacy document supporting the UIS Vetting Mechanism.
• Prepare a discussion paper on methodological, conceptual and implementation challenges related to learning indicators beyond SDG indicator 4.1.1.
• Prepare a technical note reviewing methodologies used to produce SDG indicators derived from cross-national assessment programmes.
• Update datasets and metadata for selected SDG indicators, ensuring consistency with UIS standards and methodologies.
• Produce a statistical fact sheet on bullying prevalence based on SDG indicator 4.a.2.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent, or higher) in statistics, demography, economics, mathematics or related domains.
• A minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant work experience in applied social statistics, ideally related to the assessment of learning outcomes.
• Preferably 3 to 5 years acquired at the international level within a UN or similar agency, or a government ministry.
• Demonstrated expertise in education statistics, learning assessments and SDG 4 monitoring.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to review indicator methodologies, validate datasets and assess comparability across data sources.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills, with proven ability to produce clear, well-structured technical guidance, discussion papers, fact sheets and communication products for diverse audiences (policymakers, assessment specialists, statisticians).
• Solid knowledge of cross-national learning assessment programmes and of the SDG 4 monitoring framework, including indicators derived from assessment data.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting, manage multiple concurrent deliverables and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven research experience in education is desirable.
• Excellent proficiency in English (written and spoken) is required, as all deliverables will be produced in English.
• Knowledge of other official UNESCO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is an asset.

Skills

• Applied Social Statistics
• Education Statistics
• Learning Assessment
• SDG 4 Monitoring
• Indicator Methodology Review
• Dataset Validation
• Data Comparability Assessment
• Technical Writing
• Policy Communications
• Cross-national Learning Assessments
• Research in Education
• Remote Work Management
• Multitasking
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English