Organization: UNDP Saudi Arabia, through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC).

VA No. VA24-88

Position Title: National Accounts Statistics Expert
Consultancy Type: International Expert

Duty Station: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Duration: 3 months

Vacancy Date of Issue: 6 June 2024

Vacancy Closure Date: 12 June 2024

Expected Starting Date: As soon as possible

This vacancy is announced by UNDP Saudi Arabia through Stars Orbit Consultants and Management Development (SOC). SOC is a sub-contractor for UNDP Saudi Arabia, assisting the programme in implementing their activities through HR and contract management of consultants working in their support.

Office/Unit/Project Description

Saudi Arabia has realised and sustained, for the last four decades, remarkable progress along the socio- economic development path. As a result of this, the Kingdom has been able to move to a high-income country.

The ongoing transformation of Saudi Arabia beneath the Vision 2030 plan is unlocking new possibilities at an extraordinary pace.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) is the statistical reference for Saudi Arabia’s socio- economic development. GASTAT provide comprehensive, reliable, up-to-date statistics and value-added services in line with international standards and take the lead in developing a modern statistical sector in order to support decision making.

Business statistics department is currently working on building the Statistical Business Register, and that’s through using multiple sources of administrative data and statistical products which are conducted by GASTAT. The SBR aims to provide the frame of most of the business statistics surveys and it is the source of business demography statistics and other statistics which directly derived their indicators from the SBR. In addition to the SBR business statistics department is also working on developing and enhancing business statistics surveys.

Scope of Work

The National Accounts Statistics provides the framework for an internally consistent description of the macro economy based on the data generated by practically the entire statistical system in the kingdom. The estimates of National domestic product and related aggregates and accounts are derived statistics that draw on the basic data available from various primary sources. The accuracy and quality of national accounts estimates depend on geographical coverage and quality of primary data which are utilised in their compilation; and methods, procedures and approximations used in transforming the primary data into NAS framework. To strength the GASTAT capabilities to produce National Accounts Statistics that met international standards and with minimum time from the end of reference quarter, UNDP is seeking to recruit a National Accounts Statistics Expert.

The National Accounts Statistics Expert will provide technical assistance related to producing indicators and statistical time series essential for the “Chain-Linked measures”, “Econometric-Model-Based Flash GDP estimates”, “Regional GDP”, and “Monthly Business Confidence Index”. The National Accounts Statistics Expert will also implement capacity strengthening activities, including training and mentoring, for GASTAT staff.

Specifically, the responsibilities under this assignment include the following:

Technical support:

Tasks related to track 1: “Econometric Model Based” Flash GDP

• To make systematic interventions to the model estimation system for upgrading model performance.

• To produce and compile “quarterly flash GDP estimates” in each quarter given in the publication calendar.

• To produce seasonally adjusted versions of “quarterly flash GDP estimates”.

  Tasks related to track 2: Chain-linked measures

• To review the literature and to determine best practises about “Chain-linked” methodology in developed countries.

• To propose proper method for chain-linked measures, to determine the weights of chain-linked measures in original and seasonally adjusted versions (in JDemetra+ software), and to propose different reference period for chain-linked measures.

• To Produce and compile “chain-linked” measures for national accounts statistics (in annual and quarterly national accounts) in a reproducible way (such as R software).

  Tasks related to track 3: Regional GDP

• To upgrade the quality of regional statistics using with newly available census data.

• To Produce and compile historical time series of regional GDP measures starting from 2010 until recent years available.

• To prepare detailed methodological and practical report including results on regional GDP study.

  Tasks related to track 4: Monthly Business Confidence Index:

• To review the literature and to determine best practises about Business Confidence Index in developed countries.

• To establish survey methodology, including questions, data collection, sampling, weighting, etc.

• To establish a system in the R to analyse the survey results and calculate indices by total and activity based and question levels at monthly basis.

• Perform any other relevant tasks requested by the supervisor

• Capacity Development

• In addition to delivering the above-mentioned technical support, the National Accounts Statistics Expert will advise staff of National Accounts on principles and best practice in relation to National Accounts Statistics methodologies and frameworks.

• Providing coaching and on-the-job-training for the National Accounts staff in calculating “chain-linked” measures, “flash GDP estimates” and “Regional GDP” in JDemetra+ and R software which are free software recommended by EUROSTAT and IMF.

• Providing coaching and on-the-job-training for staff of National Accounts as needed.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Agriculture Statistics Expert will work in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), other consultants and the relevant GASTAT technical staff.

Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of the assignment is expected to be up to 12 months with the possibility of extension.

Duty Station

• The assignment will be In Country Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He/ She will be embedded within the within the Survey Unit at GASTAT.
• If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s home-based city is requested by UNDP and notrequired by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by UNDP in line with applicable rules and regulations and upon prior written agreement. In such cases, the consultant shall receive living allowances not exceeding the United Nations (UN) Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rate for such other location(s).
• Note: A written approval from UNDP and relevant authorities will be required to facilitate the consultant’s travel to any locations than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.

Working Arrangements:

• The duty station of the Agriculture Statistics Expert is GASTAT at Riyadh – Saudi Arabia
• The Agriculture Statistics Expert will work in close collaboration with the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), other consultants and the relevant GASTAT technical staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in Agriculture sustainability, environmental sustainability, economics, statistics, or other relevant fields.

Relevant professional experience

• At least 10 years of experience in providing consultancy services on Agriculture statistics.
• Previous experience in providing advisory support on Agriculture development with international organizations UNDP/UN/FAO and/or National statistical offices.
• Previous experience in providing advisory support for government agencies in KSA/GCC
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards.
• Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Work experience in similar contexts

• Professional experience in providing technical advice to NSO, conducting NSO situation analysis and good understanding of NSO mandate.
• Ability to provide statistical technical advice on different sectors/theme.
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team and to work under pressure.
• The ability to establish strong cooperative relationships with GASTAT senior staff, and Senior government officials.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work on R and JDemetra+ sofwares to analyse data.
• Good understanding and practice of capacity development.
• High programming skills in R and academic background to make research in different kind of topics in National Accounts methodology,
• Knowledge & experience of working with constituents in EUROSTAT, UNESCAP and UNECE in the scope of National Accounts Practises
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Knowledge & experience of working with constituents in EUROSTAT, UNESCAP and UNECE in the scope of National Accounts Practices
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards.
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Display cultural, gender, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Language:

Excellent command of English and working knowledge of Arabic