International Consultant for Population Policy Development

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 to address population issues and reproductive health, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, working to ensure that every individual has access to the necessary resources and support for their reproductive health needs. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, with a strategic plan that emphasizes resilience and renewal in response to a complex global environment. UNFPA's mission is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic changes through evidence-based policies. UNFPA values principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are committed to delivering high-impact results.

Job Overview:
The role of the International Consultant for Population Policy Development is crucial in leading the development of a comprehensive population policy for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This position involves executing strategic tasks that include conducting evidence reviews, engaging with stakeholders, and analyzing multisectoral data to inform policy formation. The consultant will systematically analyze existing works regarding the population landscape in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, conducting targeted interviews with government officials, academics, and civil society leaders to fill any information gaps. The consultant will also evaluate demographic, health, social, and economic datasets to establish a solid baseline for policy formation, ensuring that the policy is aligned with current realities and future priorities. The consultant will be responsible for identifying the unique needs of vulnerable groups, assessing compliance with international standards, and consolidating reliable data from high-integrity sources. The ultimate goal is to equip UNFPA with essential insights to develop targeted and impactful interventions that address the challenges faced by the population in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The International Consultant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Employing a mixed-method approach that combines qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for data collection and analysis.
• Conducting stakeholder consultations to ensure inclusivity in the policy development process.
• Providing a detailed understanding of the population dynamics in Kurdistan and related challenges.
• Identifying priority areas that will serve as key outputs for the population policy document.
• Analyzing existing demographic, health, social, and economic datasets to establish a baseline for policy formation.
• Conducting a needs assessment for vulnerable groups, including women, girls, youth, and persons with disabilities.
• Evaluating the country’s progress in meeting international standards, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) commitments.
• Gathering and synthesizing population data from reliable sources, including government databases and institutional reports.
• Mapping historical population growth rates to identify long-term patterns and fluctuations. 1
• Assessing regional trends in birth and death rates and identifying underlying factors influencing these shifts. 1
• Analyzing the prevalence and root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) and evaluating current interventions. 1
• Examining reproductive health indicators and access to family planning to identify barriers faced by vulnerable communities. 1
• Delivering a comprehensive methodology, action plan, and detailed focus group discussions for the development process. 1
• Finalizing the policy document in both English and Arabic.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or a minimum of five years’ experience in relevant thematic areas such as population analysis, public health, health economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, or social sciences. Candidates should have 5-7 years of experience in developing public policies and programs, conducting reviews, assessments, research studies, or evaluations in the field of population and development. A good understanding of humanitarian strategies, policies, frameworks, and international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law is essential. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to ensure ethics and integrity in the evaluation process, including confidentiality and adherence to the principle of 'do no harm'. Additionally, candidates should be able to integrate human rights and gender perspectives throughout the policy development process, possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and have experience working with multidisciplinary teams. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as population analysis, public health, health economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, social sciences, or a related discipline. A strong academic background in these areas is essential for understanding the complexities of population dynamics and health-related issues.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in developing public policies and programs, conducting assessments, research studies, or evaluations in the field of population and development. Experience working in the national development context of Iraq is preferred, along with familiarity with UNFPA or other United Nations organizations’ mandates and activities.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, with knowledge of Arabic being an advantage. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is essential for the successful completion of the consultancy.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is expected to be over six months, with a total of 22 working days throughout this period, including the delivery of the final report/document. The consultant may be required for additional work in later stages, and the contract may be extended based on the analysis requirements. The consultant will report to the Deputy Representative for UNFPA Iraq Country Office. Payment will be made in two instalments based on deliverables, with 50% paid upon delivery of the initial document and the remaining 50% after the final submission of the completed document. Expected travel may be required within the Kurdistan region, subject to discussions with UNFPA.