Job Summary
- Employer: UN Women
- Job Type: Contract
- Location: Harare, Zimbabwe
- Category: Statistics
- Closing Date: 2026-09-23
Key Responsibilities
- Develop the inception note, assessment framework, tools and stakeholder engagement plan.
- Conduct desk reviews and map business registration workflows across the four countries.
- Consult national stakeholders and assess existing statistical and administrative data systems.
- Assess sex-disaggregated, disability-disaggregated and intersectional data availability.
- Examine interoperability between registry, tax, licensing, statistics and procurement systems.
- Assess the feasibility of linking registry data to procurement and supplier databases.
- Prepare country diagnostic summaries and a cross-country synthesis report.
- Develop country briefs and presentation materials.
- Facilitate technical sessions and support the development of four Country Action Plans.
Requirements
- An advanced university degree in Economics, Statistics, Mathematics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.
- Candidates should have at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in business statistics and administrative data ecosystems . Experience with statistical business registers, gender analysis, GEDSI assessments and women’s economic empowerment is desirable. Familiarity with the UN system and international frameworks such as CEDAW, CRPD and the SDGs is an asset.
- Fluency in English is required.
How to Apply
REF Code: 36909
About the Company
UN Women was established by a merger of the UN Development Fund for Women and other agencies and became operational in 2011. The organization operates under a governance structure and has an executive board representing different regions. Former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet was its inaugural executive director and Jordanian Sima Sami Bahous is its current executive director. UN Women is a member of the UN Development Group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Business Statistics Consultant role with international organizations in Zimbabwe?
Most employers require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field, though a Master's degree is often preferred for international consultant positions. Professional certifications such as Certified Professional Statistician (CPS) or SAS/SPSS certifications strengthen your application. Practical experience with data analysis software and demonstrated expertise in gender statistics or social research is highly valued by UN agencies operating in Zimbabwe.
What are the common day-to-day responsibilities of a Business Statistics Consultant in this type of role?
Daily tasks typically include designing surveys and data collection instruments, cleaning and analyzing large datasets using statistical software, and preparing technical reports for stakeholders. You will often collaborate with government ministries, NGOs, and UN partners to build local statistical capacity. Field visits to provinces outside Harare for data validation and training sessions are common, requiring flexibility and travel readiness.
How does the local work culture in Zimbabwe affect consultants working with international organizations?
Zimbabwean professional culture values formal respect for hierarchy and relationship-building before task execution, so initial meetings often focus on establishing trust. Punctuality is appreciated, though flexibility around scheduling is practical given infrastructure challenges like power outages and transport delays. Consultants must navigate bureaucratic processes with government partners patiently, as institutional procedures can be slower than in private sector environments.
What realistic career progression paths exist for statistics consultants in Zimbabwe's international development sector?
Entry-level consultants typically advance to senior consultant or team lead roles after 3-5 years of proven project delivery and publication record. Strong performers often transition into permanent technical specialist positions with UN agencies or move into program management roles overseeing larger portfolios. Some establish independent consulting firms serving multiple development partners, leveraging Zimbabwe's regional hub status for SADC-wide contracts.
What typical benefits should I expect or negotiate for as an international consultant based in Zimbabwe?
UN consultant contracts in Zimbabwe typically include medical insurance coverage, though you should verify if it extends to dependents and covers evacuation to South Africa for serious conditions. Leave entitlements vary by contract type but often include annual leave and some sick leave; pension contributions depend on whether you hold a staff or non-staff contract. Always clarify payment terms in USD versus local currency, as this significantly impacts income stability given Zimbabwe's economic volatility.
How should I apply and what do employers specifically look for in Zimbabwe's competitive statistics consulting market?
Applications are typically submitted through official UN job portals with detailed technical proposals demonstrating your understanding of Zimbabwe's gender data gaps and development priorities. Employers prioritize candidates with prior experience in Southern Africa, fluency in English with Shona or Ndebele as an asset, and a portfolio showing published research or policy briefs. Strong references from previous UN or government statistical office engagements significantly strengthen your candidacy in this relationship-driven professional environment.
