National Consultancy for the Preparation to Conduct the 2028 Population and Housing Census

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is a leading global organization that promotes the right of every woman, man, and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, focusing on reproductive health, gender equality, and population data. The organization aims to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA collaborates with various national and international partners to strengthen the capacity of countries to collect and utilize population data effectively, which is crucial for informed decision-making and policy formulation.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is aimed at providing technical assistance to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) in Egypt as it prepares to conduct the 2028 Population and Housing Census. This census will utilize a Combined Census Methodology, integrating administrative register data with full field enumeration to enhance the accuracy and completeness of population statistics. The consultant will work closely with CAPMAS to strengthen its institutional and technical capacity, focusing on assessing, cleaning, linking, and utilizing administrative registers. The role will involve evaluating the current register ecosystem, training CAPMAS staff on data quality assessment, and establishing a Statistical Population Register (SPR) that will serve as a backbone for census operations. The consultant will also explore the integration of mobile phone data as a supplementary tool for validating population counts, ensuring that the census adheres to international standards and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Conducting a preconditions assessment to evaluate Egypt's register ecosystem against international standards for register-based census transitions, identifying legal, technical, and institutional gaps.
• Implementing a multi-stage data quality assessment framework to train CAPMAS staff in evaluating administrative data sources across various quality stages.
• Establishing specialized capacity for data transformation and matching, including deterministic and probabilistic record linkage, conflict resolution, and filtering techniques.
• Designing the architectural blueprint for the Statistical Population Register (SPR) and formulating operational workflows to link individuals and addresses.
• Developing data governance frameworks and safeguards to ensure the confidentiality and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security of statistical data.
• Delivering a comprehensive training program for CAPMAS personnel, covering essential topics such as record linkage, data quality evaluation, and statistical disclosure control.
• Guiding CAPMAS in constructing a prototype SPR and drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for data quality assessment and transformation algorithms.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Statistics, Demography, Data Science, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field. Additionally, a minimum of 12 years of professional experience in census design, official statistics, or administrative register integration into national statistical systems is required. The candidate should have a demonstrated track record in leading or advising National Statistical Offices through transitions from traditional to combined or register-based census methodologies. Familiarity with UN Statistics Division and UNECE census frameworks and UNFPA census training materials is also essential. Technical skills in record linkage, database management, and statistical computing are crucial for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, either a master's or a Ph.D., in relevant fields such as Statistics, Demography, Data Science, Computer Science, or other quantitative disciplines. This educational foundation is necessary to ensure that the consultant possesses the analytical and technical skills required to effectively contribute to the census preparation and execution.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically a minimum of 12 years in professional roles related to census design, official statistics, or the integration of administrative registers into national statistical systems. Candidates should have experience in leading or advising National Statistical Offices, particularly during transitions from traditional census methodologies to combined or register-based approaches. This extensive experience is critical to navigate the complexities of the census process and to provide effective guidance to CAPMAS.

Languages:
Fluency in both Arabic and English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to deliver training and produce documentation in both languages to meet the needs of CAPMAS. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with local stakeholders and for ensuring that all deliverables are accessible to the intended audience.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 12 weeks, structured into four sequential phases. The work will primarily take place within CAPMAS premises, with potential local visits to relevant stakeholders as needed. The consultant will report directly to the UNFPA Egypt Population and Development Analyst and the designated CAPMAS representative. The consultancy may be undertaken by an individual lead senior consultant supported by a national junior consultant or a specialized consultancy team. Interested applicants are required to submit a brief proposal outlining their methodological approach, data transformation strategy, and framework for conducting the assignment, along with their CV and a cover letter. Final consultancy rates will be determined by UNFPA.