Chief of the Population and Development Branch

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency for 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 the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health and to promote gender equality. The organization focuses on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic change. UNFPA is committed to addressing the complex global environment and accelerating the implementation of the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Job Overview:
The Chief of the Population and Development Branch (PDB) serves as UNFPA’s global lead on population dynamics, demographic change, and population-development policy. This role involves providing strategic vision, intellectual leadership, and managerial oversight for the Branch, ensuring the delivery of the fourth outcome on adapting to demographic change while upholding individual rights and choices in UNFPA’s new Strategic Plan for 2026-202

• The Chief is responsible for shaping and driving UNFPA’s global population and development agenda, ensuring that rights-based demographic change is effectively integrated into strategies, policies, programmes, and investments at global, regional, and country levels. This includes operationalizing UNFPA’s programme offer across the full policy cycle—evidence, policy influencing, programme implementation, communications, and capacity strengthening.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Direction and Technical Leadership: Provide overall vision and leadership for UNFPA’s population and development agenda, serving as the principal adviser to senior management on demographic change and population policies. Lead the development and implementation of global strategies aligned with the Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and the ICPD Programme of Action. Position UNFPA as a thought leader on demographic change and oversee the integration of demographic analysis into development planning and sectoral strategies.
• Evidence Generation, Knowledge, and Foresight: Lead UNFPA’s global evidence and analytical agenda, ensuring policy relevance and scientific rigor. Oversee the production of flagship outputs and advance UNFPA’s leadership in demographic foresight.
• Programme Integration and Linkages: Provide strategic leadership to ensure integration of population dynamics into UNFPA’s programmatic areas, promoting life-course approaches and coherence between population policies and sectoral interventions.
• Narrative Shift, Policy Influence, and Advocacy: Shape a balanced global narrative on demographic change, positioning UNFPA as a credible voice on rights-based population policies.
• Capacity Strengthening and Institutional Development: Strengthen national capacities in demographic analysis and promote next-generation expertise in demography.
• Strategic Partnerships and Coordination: Lead engagement with UN agencies and other stakeholders to advance UNFPA’s agenda.
• Resource Mobilization and Strategic Financing: Lead resource mobilization efforts for UNFPA’s initiatives and develop funding strategies.
• Leadership and Management: Manage the Population and Development Branch, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as required by senior management.

Required Qualifications:
Advanced university degree in demography, population studies, economics, public health, sociology, international development, or related field; a PhD is an advantage. Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible experience in public administration and international development, including at least 8 years at the international level. Recognized technical authority in population and development with expertise in demographic analysis and policy. Proven experience in population policies and development planning, with a strong understanding of global megatrends and their implications for population dynamics. Demonstrated ability to lead high-level expert teams and deliver strategic results, with extensive networks in academic and development communities. Strong track record in policy influence and resource mobilization.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in demography, population studies, economics, public health, sociology, international development, or a related field. A PhD is considered an advantage, indicating a higher level of expertise and research capability in the relevant fields.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in public administration and international development, with at least 8 years at the international level. Candidates should have a recognized authority in population and development, with deep expertise in demographic analysis and policy. Experience in working in low and middle-income countries is highly desirable, showcasing the ability to navigate diverse socio-economic contexts and challenges.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable, enhancing communication and collaboration in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits as applicable. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects 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. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics.