OVERVIEW

Position Number: 1CAUIS0001ST

Grade: D-2

Parent Sector: Education Sector (ED)

Duty Station: Montreal

Job Family: Education

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Duration of contract: 2 years, renewable - maximum duration of 6 years

Recruitment open to: Internal and external candidates

Application deadline (Midnight Paris Time): 10/10/2026

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

UNESCO is seeking an exceptional, and visionary Director to lead this Institute. The Director will provide strategic, intellectual and operational leadership to position UIS as a globally recognized centre of excellence in data, analytics, and statistical capacity development.

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Director-General for Education of UNESCO and in accordance with the prerogatives delegated by the Director-General of UNESCO, and guided by the Institute's Governing Board, the incumbent will lead and manage the UIS human and financial resources, including the planning and assignment of resources, the implementation of planned programmes and the assessment of outcomes. The Director will drive the Institute's strategic vision, ensure the delivery of its goals and objectives with a view to serving UNESCO's mandate, and strengthen its role within the UN system and the broader global data ecosystem.

Long Description

KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The key roles and responsibilities of the incumbent shall include:

• Provide high-level managerial leadership for UIS with respect to programmes, including the development and implementation of organizational and resource mobilization strategies.
• Oversee the effective management of financial and human resources.
• Identify key issues/risks, anticipate global trends as well as opportunities, for UIS and take actions toward its stable development while aiming to ensure UIS remains relevant and impactful to Member States, partner organizations and the world at large.
• Lead the strategic vision for the development of statistics in the areas of UNESCO's mandate.

• Represent the Director-General at the United Nations Statistics Commission and other high-level meetings concerning statistics.

• Establish and maintain close professional relationships with governmental, non-governmental, international and national institutions, as well as relevant professional bodies working in the field of statistics.

• Lead the development of the Institute's communication and outreach strategy, as well as strengthen the substantive links between the Institute's activities and UNESCO's other programmes to provide quality assurance on statistical matters throughout UNESCO.
• Foster a high-performing, inclusive, and diverse organizational culture.
• Promote innovation, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing across the Institute.

For further information on the specific above-mentioned programmes, candidates may consult our website: https://www.unesco.org/en, and/or the following documents: 41 C/4 (UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy for [redacted]) and 43 C/5 (UNESCO's Programme and Budget for [redacted] quadrennium).

Long Description

Long Description

Long Description

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)
• Building partnerships (M)
• Driving and managing change (M)
• Strategic thinking (M)
• Making quality decisions (M)
• Managing performance (M)
• Leading and empowering others (M)

Short Description

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the field of statistics or a closely related numeric discipline (such as demography, economics or mathematics), or in the fields of education or the social sciences with a substantial part on applied statistics.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience of statistical management preferably at both national and international levels, including exposure in senior executive positions at international level.
• Strong leadership experience and proven ability in planning and managing international programmes and/or projects.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy, resources mobilization and partnership development.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Commitment to the Organization's mandate, vision and strategic direction, as well as to its priorities.
• Proven leadership and managerial skills and sound analytical capacities.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills.
• Ability for strategic planning and management, including capacity to administer extensive programmes and financial resources.
• Demonstrated ability to persuasively defend the importance of statistics/statistical products/services and articulate statistical development needs within UNESCO's mandate.
• Excellent diplomatic, negotiation, communication and representational skills.
• Strong understanding of global statistical systems and knowledge of the main issues facing the field of education and other UNESCO domains of expertise.
• Broad experience, at a high level, of international cooperation mechanisms, and wide networks of contacts with international organizations and development agencies (World Bank, UNICEF, regional development banks, OECD, Eurostat, etc.).
• Ability to strengthen the reputation of the Institute by maintaining a focus on top-quality results.
• Ability to lead and motivate teams in a multicultural environment, as well as to ensure continuous training and development of staff.

LANGUAGES

• Excellent knowledge of and drafting skills in English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• A PhD in relevant field would be a strong asset.
• Degree/diploma or course in management.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Extensive experience collaborating directly with government education ministries, national statistics authorities, and policy research institutions or think tanks, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries.
• Professional experience gained in a multicultural working environment.
• Track record in working with a wide range of high-level partnerships, and in participating effectively in high-level negotiations.
• Strong global professional network.

Long Description

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Competence in the use software for general and specialized applications.
• Ability to keep up-to-date on relevant developments in statistics.

LANGUAGES

• Good knowledge of French.
• Knowledge of other official languages of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish).

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 US$ 175,883.

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