Data Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to ensure that every individual has access to reproductive health services and the ability to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. The organization is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, and it plays a crucial role in addressing population dynamics and demographic changes globally. UNFPA's work is guided by its Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, which outlines its response to complex global challenges and aims to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 203

• UNFPA emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are dedicated to delivering high-impact results through effective partnerships and resource mobilization.

Job Overview:
The Data Programme Specialist (P4) position is integral to the Population Dynamics, Data, and Policy unit at the UNFPA West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO). This role is primarily focused on coordinating the technical implementation of regional statistical harmonization and improvement projects across West and Central Africa. The Specialist is responsible for producing high-quality population data by developing harmonized methodological guides and providing specialized technical assistance to National Statistical Offices for conducting censuses and Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems. The position requires a commitment to promoting data utilization to inform evidence-based policy dialogue and ensuring rigorous monitoring and evaluation to maintain project quality, track key performance indicators, and comply with donor requirements. The Specialist will work collaboratively within the WCARO, as well as with headquarters and country offices, to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of substantive outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Data Programme Specialist will undertake a variety of key responsibilities, including:

• Technical Coordination & Harmonization: Leading the creation and adaptation of practical guides for census management, digital cartography, data cleaning, and geospatial population modeling. Ensuring alignment of regional statistical production with the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA) to guarantee data comparability across the CEMAC and ECOWAS zones. Overseeing the integration of new technologies such as GIS, satellite imagery, and mobile data collection into traditional census and CRVS frameworks.
• Capacity Strengthening & Country Support: Supporting census, CRVS, and survey activities, including field enumeration, post-enumeration surveys, and annual vital statistics generation, in collaboration with technical consultants and Chief Technical Advisors. Organizing technical meetings and learning events, including eLearning sessions and in-person seminars, on census and survey design, implementation, and data use for development planning. Coordinating GIS capacity strengthening for UNFPA census and survey initiatives in conjunction with HQ and Country Offices. Maintaining a global database of consultants for technical assistance to National Statistical Offices and providing editorial support for census and survey publications.
• Data Utilization & Policy Advocacy: Supporting the Regional Initiative on the Centrality of Population (RICoP) by analyzing the interconnections between population dynamics, megatrends, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organizing high-level policy dialogues and webinars to foster evidence-based planning and resource allocation among decision-makers. Overseeing the development and regular updating of national Population Data Portals and the UNFPA Census Tracker to ensure access to key demographic indicators, while also producing policy briefs and monographs. Staying updated on advancements in census, survey, and geospatial research, providing insights on their relevance to UNFPA programming and identifying statistical gaps. Monitoring Strategic Plan indicators and actively contributing to ICPD-related initiatives, events, and knowledge products.
• Project Management & Reporting: Acting as the primary focal point for project monitoring and evaluation, ensuring tracking of performance indicators and adherence to funding limits. Collaborating with key stakeholders to improve data systems and provide technical assistance to governments. Assisting WCARO leadership in resource mobilization efforts and serving as a liaison for inter-agency groups focused on census, survey, and geospatial data. Liaising with UN agencies, academia, and research institutions to address technical issues related to census, surveys, and geospatial data.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree in quantitative social sciences such as demography, statistics, population studies, economy, sociology, geography, data sciences, or a related field. A PhD is desirable. Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in data systems, including at least 4 years at the international level with increasing technical and managerial responsibilities. Experience in managing or coordinating global programs or initiatives with deliverables across multiple countries and regions is essential. Technical expertise in utilizing census and survey data for developmental purposes is required, and familiarity with GIS and geospatial analysis of population data is advantageous. Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English are necessary, with additional expertise in related areas of population and development research being desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in quantitative social sciences, such as demography, statistics, population studies, economy, sociology, geography, data sciences, or a related field. A PhD is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The role requires a minimum of 7 years of experience in data systems, with at least 4 years of that experience at the international level. Candidates should demonstrate increasing technical and managerial responsibilities throughout their career, particularly in managing or coordinating global programs or initiatives that span multiple countries and regions. Experience in utilizing census and survey data for developmental purposes is crucial, and familiarity with GIS and geospatial analysis of population data is a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. Proficiency in French is desirable, as it facilitates communication with coordination groups and local organizations in both English-speaking and French-speaking countries within the West and Central Africa region. This bilingual capability is particularly important given the diverse linguistic landscape of the region.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package that includes a competitive net salary, cost of living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization is committed to ensuring gender parity and encourages 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 are at the heart of UNFPA's workforce.