International Consultant on Demographic Resilience in the Pacific

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN 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 territories, working to ensure that every individual has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health and well-being. The organization is committed to promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, and addressing the challenges posed by demographic changes, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the Pacific Islands. UNFPA's mission is guided by the principles of human rights and sustainable development, aiming to improve the lives of individuals and communities through evidence-based policies and programs. With a workforce that embodies diversity and cultural sensitivity, UNFPA strives to create an inclusive environment that reflects the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The role of the International Consultant on Demographic Resilience in the Pacific is pivotal in supporting UNFPA's 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes the importance of adapting to demographic changes and enhancing societal resilience. The consultant will lead a comprehensive analysis of demographic shifts across 14 Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs), focusing on how these trends intersect with broader socio-economic and environmental megatrends. This position requires synthesizing demographic data, identifying vulnerabilities and opportunities, and providing strategic recommendations to inform UNFPA's demographic resilience strategy. The consultant will work closely with UNFPA's Technical Advisers and engage with various stakeholders to validate findings and ensure that the analysis is grounded in local contexts. The consultancy is primarily home-based, allowing for remote consultations across Pacific time zones, and is expected to span up to 60 working days from the contract start date.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Inception and study analytical design: Reviewing relevant UNFPA documents, confirming the 14 PICTs, analytical questions, data sources, and consultation plans.
• Demographic data review and synthesis: Compiling evidence from various sources, documenting trends in fertility, mortality, migration, and urbanization, and assessing data quality and gaps.
• Policy and institutional mapping: Mapping national and regional policies related to population and development, examining how demographic evidence is integrated into planning and budgeting processes.
• Developing a Pacific demographic resilience assessment framework: Creating a framework that reflects the unique challenges of small-island geography and cultural diversity, with a focus on rights and gender equality.
• Conducting vulnerability and opportunity assessments: Identifying groups and sectors affected by demographic changes and exploring opportunities for human-capital development and demographic dividends.
• Stakeholder consultations and validation: Engaging with government representatives, civil society, and other stakeholders to gather feedback and refine the analysis.
• Preparing strategic recommendations and communication materials: Translating findings into actionable recommendations and preparing executive summaries for decision-makers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in demography, population studies, economics, sociology, public policy, development studies, statistics, geography, or a closely related field. A doctoral degree is considered an asset. Additionally, candidates should have at least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in demographic analysis, population and development, or public policy. Demonstrated expertise in analyzing demographic trends, strong quantitative and mixed-methods skills, and a proven record of producing high-quality analytical reports are essential. Familiarity with rights-based approaches to population and development, as well as experience in stakeholder consultations, is also required.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, specifically a master’s degree or equivalent, in fields such as demography, population studies, economics, sociology, public policy, development studies, statistics, geography, or related disciplines. A doctoral degree is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's profile for this consultancy.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to demographic analysis, population and development, or public policy. This experience should include a strong background in analyzing fertility, mortality, migration, urbanization, and population projections, as well as familiarity with data limitations and uncertainties. Direct professional experience in Pacific Island countries and territories is strongly preferred, and experience with UNFPA or other United Nations entities is considered an asset.

Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English is mandatory, with a demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical findings to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. Proficiency in statistical, demographic, and data-visualization software relevant to the proposed methodology is required. Knowledge of French or a Pacific language is considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is structured to be home-based, with remote consultations across Pacific time zones. The contract is expected to cover up to 60 working days, with payment made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. The allocation of days and percentages may be adjusted at inception without changing the total contract value. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects gender equality, diversity, and integrity, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to support applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.