Demographic Resilience and Policy Consultant

The Position:

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and programmatic support to UNFPA’s regional and global initiatives on demographic resilience. The region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia is very diverse, and the job will therefore address diverse demographic, economic, social, and environmental situations. It will look at ways in which demographic changes (e.g., population growth, population aging, population decline, urbanization, migration and low fertility) affect national, regional, and global concerns (e.g., poverty, inequality, labor markets, social protection, economics, environment, climate change). 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The incumbent is expected to carry out the following tasks: 

• Undertake analyses on the links between demographic change and development, including national, regional, and global development goals;
• Compile and assess policies related to fertility, aging, youth, migration, urbanization, as well as related issues of pensions, social protection, and labor markets;
• Analyze trends in development assistance, including ODA and private aid flows, for the further implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action;
• Prepare speeches, briefing notes, technical papers, policy briefs, and reports;
• Give presentations, and represent the team and organization in diverse meetings, including inter-agency and inter-governmental meetings on demographic change, other megatrends, sustainable development and population policies.

Capacity development

• Support countries in the development of demographic and development strategies, with a view to build the resilience of societies to unfolding demographic changes;
• Support the development of UNFPA’s regional and country programmes, as well as UN-wide process, such as the Common Country Assessments (CCAs) and the Cooperation Frameworks CFs), as well as national, and local demographic and development strategies;
• Support the development of standardized guidance, training materials and webinars;

Programme management

• Support the organization of major national, regional and global conferences on demographic issues, including the development of agendas, engagement of stakeholders, and follow-up processes; including all aspects — technical, programmatic and logistical – of the forthcoming ministerial conference on demographic resilience;
• Liaise with key stakeholders – including sister agencies, the scientific community, civil society, and the private sector – who are key in the delivery of the demographic resilience programme;
• Support Project Leader on Demographic Resilience and the Team, in the organization and follow-up to routine internal and external meetings, 

Perform other duties, as required.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master or Higher) or equivalent in the quantitative social sciences, such as economics, demography, sociology, statistics, or related discipline. Work undertaken in the graduate or postgraduate degree should be directly related to the substantive areas required for this post.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 2 (two) years of experience working on demographics-development linkages, undertaking data analysis, and writing reports.
• Strong competency in data analysis and data visualization using statistical software packages, and a wide range of national and international databases;
• Strong skills in report writing, communications and presentation to diverse, technical and non-technical audiences;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills;
• Background in the translation of evidence and analysis into policy recommendations, policy briefs, key messages and talking points;
• Experience with policy dialogues and similar events across sectors, including with UN agencies, academics and/or with local or national governments;
• Experience in managing projects from conception to implementation;

Other Desirable Skills:

• Initiative, good conceptual abilities, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United
• Familiarity with the UN system is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required; 
• Working knowledge of Russian, French, Spanish and/or another UN official language desirable.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity, 

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 

Embracing cultural diversity, 

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

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