Programme Specialist in Data and Population Dynamics

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on reproductive health and rights, and population and development issues. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization works towards achieving three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services, while also promoting human rights and gender equality.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist in Data and Population Dynamics will play a crucial role in supporting UNFPA's initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. This position involves providing strategic, technical, and programmatic support to enhance national data systems and promote the use of demographic data for informed policy-making. The specialist will work closely with country offices and regional partners to deliver high-quality technical assistance, foster innovation in data utilization, and ensure inclusivity in population and development planning. The role requires a dynamic individual who can contribute to regional efforts in strengthening data systems, analyzing population dynamics, and addressing emerging megatrends such as ageing, migration, and urbanization. The specialist will also engage in capacity-building initiatives and facilitate knowledge sharing among national partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of the Programme Specialist include:

• Strengthening Data Systems and Capacities: Providing technical assistance to country offices in enhancing data systems, including civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS), census, and household surveys. Supporting the integration of disaggregated population data into national information systems for effective policy and planning. Promoting innovation and collaboration for the use of geospatial data, administrative records, and new data sources to complement traditional data collection methods.
• Analysis of Population Dynamics and Megatrends: Conducting analytical work on demographic trends and transitions, including ageing, low fertility, migration, and urbanization. Integrating economic perspectives into the analysis of population and development issues, contributing to the positioning of population dynamics, reproductive health, and gender equality in sectorial development policies. Producing and disseminating knowledge products that support advocacy and policy formulation aligned with the ICPD Programme of Action and the SDGs.
• Capacity Building and Technical Support: Designing and facilitating capacity-building initiatives for national partners, including workshops and technical guidance. Providing on-demand technical support to country offices in applying demographic methods and tools. Contributing to regional initiatives such as the Population Situation Analysis (PSA) and the Demographic Dividend analyses.
• Knowledge Management and Partnerships: Documenting and disseminating good practices and lessons learned in population and development work. Fostering strategic partnerships with academic, governmental, and civil society actors to advance demographic intelligence in the region. Contributing to interagency collaboration in support of UN data strategies and regional initiatives.
• Carrying out any other duties as required by UNFPA leadership.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in demography, statistics, sociology, public health, or a related discipline with a strong quantitative focus. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in data analysis, population studies, or development programming. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of experience in programme/project management, specifically addressing the interrelationships between population and development, including issues of poverty and health economics. Proven expertise in demographic methods, data visualization, and the use of statistical packages such as R, STATA, SPSS, or Python is essential. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to translate data into actionable policy recommendations and strategic advice, and experience working with national statistical offices or ministries in Latin America and the Caribbean is highly desirable. Familiarity with the UN system, ICPD principles, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in demography, statistics, sociology, public health, or a related discipline that emphasizes quantitative analysis. This educational background is crucial for understanding and addressing complex population dynamics and development issues.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in data analysis, population studies, or development programming. This experience should include a strong focus on programme/project management, particularly in relation to the interconnections between population dynamics and development, including aspects of poverty and health economics. Candidates should also have demonstrated expertise in demographic methods and the ability to apply these methods in practical settings.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is required for this position, along with a working knowledge of English. Proficiency in other official UN languages, particularly French and Portuguese, is desirable and would enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package that includes a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA is committed to providing a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates, regardless of personal characteristics or dimensions of diversity.