The Position:

The Population Dynamics Technical Adviser position is located in the UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO), Bangkok, Thailand and is the principal adviser at the regional level for evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue/advice in the area of population dynamics. The Technical Adviser works in an integrated manner with (a) the technical, programme, operations and communication staff of the regional office, (b) country teams across the region and (c) and within the UNFPA across levels in thematic areas related to population dynamics.

They work under the overall leadership of the Regional Director and report directly to the Deputy Regional Director.

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:

UNFPA is charged with supporting the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a touchstone in the paradigm shift of development that mandated the protection and fulfillment of human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SRHR) for all, especially women and adolescents. While considerable progress has been made since 1994 in reducing maternal mortality and improving gender equality in some aspects, many issues remain to be addressed, particularly in light of enormous economic, social and demographic changes. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda calls for a life of dignity for all, through development pathways that integrate the economic, social and environmental aspects of life. The collection, analysis and use of population data are fundamental for this endeavor, especially in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) imperative to “leave no one behind.” In this context, the influence of changing population dynamics on the achievement of the SDGs must be taken into account, and UNFPA needs to enhance its activities in this area. This is particularly true in the Asia-Pacific region and the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region, where low fertility and population ageing are emerging as key policy areas for countries and governments. The Technical Adviser on Population Dynamics will help further define the strategic direction and priorities of UNFPA in the Asia and the Pacific Region with regards to population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend, collaborating closely with UNFPA Headquarters, other Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs).

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced university degree in Economics and/or Demography, or other fields directly relevant to the interrelations between demographic changes and sustainable development.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience – including practical experience in policy formulation and application – on population issues and their policy implications, with emphasis on the linkages between population, economic and social policies and environmental sustainability.
• Demonstrated expertise and programme experience in population ageing, low fertility and demographic dividend.
• Strong track record of intellectual and technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with the ability to articulate a holistic and interdisciplinary vision of population ageing, low fertility, the demographic dividend and solutions to issues.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, especially for transfer of knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to network with the academia and development community.
• Familiarity with management and monitoring tools is desirable.
• Field experience and experience of working in the Asia-Pacific region are strongly desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.