International Consultant for the 2027 Population and Housing eCensus

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. UNFPA's mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to improve the lives of women and girls and promote gender equality. The organization emphasizes the importance of data collection and analysis for effective national development planning, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFPA is committed to addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on reproductive health and rights, and it seeks principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to provide high-level expertise to the Government of Eswatini to ensure the effective, timely, and high-quality conduct of the 2027 Population and Housing eCensus (PHC). This will be Eswatini's second digital census, following the 2017 census. The consultant will work closely with the Central Statistical Office (CSO) and UNFPA to strengthen institutional and technical capacity in census planning, coordination, and execution. The role involves strategic and technical support throughout the census preparatory phase, ensuring adherence to international standards and best practices. The consultant will engage with key stakeholders, provide regular updates, and contribute to the development of data collection instruments, including questionnaires and training materials.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for reviewing and assessing progress on census preparatory processes, including cartographic mapping and household listing, and providing technical recommendations for improvement. They will coordinate and strengthen overall preparatory processes for the 2027 PHC, facilitate the refinement and finalization of the detailed census workplan and budget, and support its timely implementation. The consultant will provide technical leadership in designing the questionnaire and developing training materials, lead the pilot census, including data analysis and report preparation, and regularly assess implementation progress of PHC activities. They will also develop comprehensive training plans, support resource mobilization efforts, coordinate census awareness activities, and prepare monthly progress reports outlining implementation status, achievements, challenges, and actionable recommendations. Additional tasks may be assigned by the CSO related to the PHC.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess an advanced degree in Demography or Population Studies at the master’s level or above. They should have at least 10 years of professional experience in social and demographic data collection, processing, and analysis, preferably in a Sub-Saharan African country. The consultant must have participated in the planning and implementation of at least three censuses, including one digital population and housing census in a Sub-Saharan African country. Proficiency in current office software applications and excellent proficiency in at least one current data-processing and analysis software is required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced degree in Demography or Population Studies at the master’s level or higher. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of population data and the methodologies involved in conducting censuses.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the field of social and demographic data collection, processing, and analysis. Candidates should have a proven track record of participating in the planning and implementation of at least three censuses, including experience with digital population and housing censuses in Sub-Saharan African countries. This level of experience is crucial for ensuring that the consultant can effectively contribute to the 2027 PHC.

Languages:
Proficiency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. This language requirement is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, preparation of reports, and the development of training materials. While English is the primary language, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required for this role.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for six months initially, starting in July/August and concluding in January/February 2027, with the possibility of a six-month extension based on performance. The consultant will be based in Eswatini for the duration of the assignment. UNFPA promotes 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 to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process.