National Consultant for Population Policy Development

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading international organization that focuses on reproductive health and rights, population dynamics, and sustainable development. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, providing essential support to governments and communities to improve the quality of life for individuals, particularly women and youth. The organization is committed to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA's mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization employs thousands of staff members globally, working collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve its goals and objectives.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant for Population Policy Development is crucial for the Solomon Islands as it aims to lead the technical review of the current population framework and develop the new National Population Policy (NPP) for 2027-203

• The consultant will ensure that the new policy is evidence-based and aligned with the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-203
• This role involves extensive travel to various provinces to conduct consultations, ensuring that the policy reflects the needs and priorities of the population. The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination and the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office to ensure that the NPP is integrated into existing national policies and plans, ultimately helping the government achieve its demographic dividend. The consultant will be responsible for producing a comprehensive work plan, conducting policy analysis, facilitating workshops, and drafting the new NPP, ensuring that it addresses contemporary demographic realities and aligns with sustainable development goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Developing an Inception Report that outlines a detailed work plan, stakeholder consultation schedule, and methodology for the review process.
• Conducting a comprehensive Policy Analysis and Gap Analysis Report to identify implementation gaps and unaddressed policy areas based on the 2017-2026 National Population Policy.
• Organizing and leading Technical Sectorial Briefings and Reports to engage with focal points from various sectors such as health, education, and agriculture to secure data and ensure policy alignment.
• Facilitating pre-review provincial consultation workshops across all nine provinces to capture local population issues and priorities.
• Drafting the National Population Policy 2027-2037 based on inputs from provincial and sectoral consultations.
• Conducting post-review provincial validation workshops to present the draft policy and ensure stakeholder feedback is incorporated.
• Organizing a National Validation Workshop to consolidate final comments from key stakeholders and produce a report summarizing the outcomes.
• Submitting the final National Population Policy and a submission package for endorsement by the government.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position should possess a Master's qualification in demography, statistics, social sciences, economics, or geography, with a specialization in demographic studies. Additionally, the candidate should have a minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, particularly in the context of population and demographic studies. Experience working in the public sector, with the UN, or in other international development organizations is highly desirable. The candidate should also demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong project management capabilities, and proficiency in policy formulation and report writing. A sound understanding of statistical analysis and the ability to produce accurate and professional documents are essential. Furthermore, the candidate should possess excellent interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work effectively in challenging environments.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master's degree in demography, statistics, social sciences, economics, or geography, with a focus on demographic studies. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of population dynamics and their implications for development planning.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in population and demographic studies, with a strong emphasis on quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Experience in the public sector or with international development organizations, particularly in roles related to policy development and analysis, is highly advantageous. The ability to manage projects effectively and work under tight deadlines is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and for documentation purposes. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the populations being served.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is based on a 66-day working engagement, with payments disbursed in three installments upon the formal submission and approval of deliverables by the NPP Steering Committee and UNFPA. The work environment at UNFPA promotes gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to support applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process. The organization emphasizes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, and compensation, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications and competencies.