The Position:

The Regional Population Data Adviser post is placed in the West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO). The adviser will work with the WCARO, Country Offices and UNFPA HQs global technical advisors to formulate and generate strategic UNFPA contributions toward advancing ICPD PoA and 2030 agenda in the West and Central Africa Region, particularly focusing on data generation and utilization for policies and programming for achieving the Transformative Results, the 2030 SDG Agenda and the AU agenda 2063. The Adviser will work under the overall guidance and leadership of the Regional Director and reports directly to the Deputy Regional Director who supervises this position. S/he is the principal adviser at the regional level for demographic and population and development data with a focus on population data including census, administrative data, vital statistics (CRVS), surveys, data portals, and big data. S/he works in an integrated manner with the technical, operations, programme and communications staff in the WCARO and in collaboration with other data experts in other UNFPA regions and UNFPA HQ.

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 Adviser provides strategic technical and programmatic leadership for population data especially census and surveys for the region to ensure that WCARO and the UNFPA Country Offices in the region play a leadership role in advancing the Strategic Plan, ICPD PoA, the 2030 Agenda and the AU Agenda 2063. S/he maintains primary responsibility for coordination of provision of technical assistance and policy and programme support to the countries of the region in population data focusing on census, population and housing data, demographic health surveys, CRVS, administrative data, social surveys, and big data.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced degree, preferably Ph D, in demography, statistics, population studies, economics or other related fields directly related to the substantive area identified in the title of the post.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in population data, including censuses, administrative data and surveys, of which 7 years at the international level;
• Demonstrated expertise in the substantive area of work; and programme experience;
• Population census, DHS, CRVS, administrative data systems experience is essential;
• Experience in population related policy development is an asset;
• Understanding of human rights perspectives of population and development an asset;
• Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, especially for transfer of knowledge;
• Demonstrated ability to network within the academic and development community;
• Familiarity with management and monitoring tools is desirable;
• Familiarity with ICT/ERP is an asset;
• Field experience is strongly desirable;

Languages:

Fluency in English is required and French is desirable to enable effective communication with English speaking and French speaking country coordination groups and local organizations (West and Central Africa region).

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.