Request from
United Nations Department of Economic & Social Affairs
Statistics Division – Office of the Director
For an Associate Expert
JOB DESCRIPTION
INT-194-05-P162-01-V (July 2009)
General Information
Title: Associate Expert in Global Data Dissemination
Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year)
Date required: as soon as possible
Duty station: New York
Supervision
Title of the supervisor: Chief of Global Data Services Section
Content and methodology of the supervision: The supervisor will be responsible for
providing (technical and operational) guidance in the development and maintenance of
the United Nations Statistics Division “UNdata portal”.
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations:
The Associate Expert will be working in a team of four/five people working on a new
Data Access System called UNdata designed to bring the rich data resources of the entire
United Nations System to the fingertips of users around the world, by offering a single
web-based access point (data.un.org). The position will be located in the Global Data
Services Section of the Statistical Services Branch of the United Nations Statistics
Division, which is the office responsible for global data dissemination projects.
The Associate Expert will be working with the team on: (a) improving and maintaining
databases disseminated through the UNdata portal to facilitate general public accessibility
to free statistical data; (b) assisting with the coordination of the work with various
national statistical offices and international agencies; (c) preparing technical reports on
the projects.
Qualifications and experience
Qualifications: Advanced university degree in statistics or other related field.
UN competencies:
Professionalism: Demonstrated skills necessary to work with complex databases and to
write technical reports, including proficiency in statistical data disseminations. Planning
and organizing: Ability to establish priorities and to plan, co-ordinate and monitor own
work plan. Commitment to continuous learning: Willingness to keep abreast of new
developments in the field of data disseminations. Technological Awareness: Solid
computer skills and their application to statistical work. Teamwork: Good interpersonal
skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and
respect for diversity. Communication: Ability to write in English in a clear and concise
manner and to communicate effectively orally; knowledge of a second official UN
language is preferred; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work
relationships with counterparts in related functional areas and with staff providing
support services.
Work experience: Work experience with statistical data dissemination.
Learning Elements
After the assignment the Associate Expert will be able to:
 Draft technical reports on global statistical data dissemination;
 Understand national and international databases on different statistical areas;
 Organize meetings and training workshops;
 Give presentations/lectures on global data dissemination and data as public goods.
Background information
The Statistics Division's main functions are:
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the collection, processing and dissemination of statistical information;
the standardization of statistical methods, classifications and definitions;
the technical cooperation programme; and
the coordination of international statistical programmes and activities.
Dissemination of statistical information: the UNdata portal
UNdata is a new internet based data service for the global user community. It brings UN
statistical databases within easy reach of users through a single entry point
(http://data.un.org/). Users can now search and download a variety of statistical
resources of the UN system.
UNdata pools major UN databases and those of several international into one single
internet environment. The innovative design allows a user to access a large number of
UN databases either by browsing the data series or through a keyword search. Currently,
there are 20 datasets containing over 55 million data points and covering a whole range
of statistics including Population, Industry, Energy, Trade and National Accounts. Whilst
this initial version of UNdata is fully equipped with all the functionalities for data access,
the development team is continuously adding new databases and features, further
enhancing user experience. When fully developed, UNdata will have a comprehensive
array of international and national databases providing the world instant access to a
wealth of statistical information.