Senior Population Specialist (Demographer) at United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Duties and Responsibilities: Main Responsibilities

The main responsibilities for this position includes but not limited to ensuring that;

• Technical support is provided to the Government in the formulation and implementation population and
• development policies and programmes.
• Guidance is provided in the formulation and design of the country population and statistics programme and its component projects in line with Government's priorities and according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures.
• Manpower and methods required for collecting, compiling and disseminating data are developed and enhanced: This will include human resource development (such as enhancing of the analytical capacity of staff, etc.), mastering methods for data collection and analysis, development of manuals, designing and conducting household surveys and censuses etc.
• Institutional framework for population and social statistics to support policy, legal and regulatory framework for statistical development is enhanced.
• Capacity of Somali Authorities in using data to monitor and evaluate government policies and programs in the areas of population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health, education, socio-economic and gender equality is strengthened.
• Availability of evidence through in-depth analysis on population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health, education, socio-economic data and their linkages to poverty eradication and sustainable development.
• Population policies drafted using the existing data to in form the implementation of population frameworks such as demographic dividend

Specific responsibilities

• Complete the Somali Health and Demographic Survey (SHDS) state level reports
• Conduct a comprehensive pre-census assessment to inform future plans to conduct a census for Somalia
• Supervise and contribute to the development of relevant databases, metadata, sampling frames, statistical classifications and statistical information systems for collection, storage and distribution of statistical data for the monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 global development agenda.
• Lead, supervise and carry out the work required to prepare population estimates and projections. This task includes undertaking the development or improvement of methodology for the preparation of population estimates and projections.
• Lead, supervise and carry out the work required to produce technical studies on population levels and trends or population policies in relation to social and economic factors. Such studies can focus on specific population issues, such as fertility; family planning; internal or international migration; urbanization; mortality; population structure and composition; population ageing; population policies; population, environment and development, HIV/AIDS; and population trends and economic growth. Oversee preparation of camera-ready manuscripts for printing.
• Support the revival of the civil and vital registration system (CVRS) for capturing birth and death information in the country
• Support the implementation of national surveys to generate key indicators to fit in the monitoring framework for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda.
• Continue with the ongoing capacity building of the ministry of planning and line ministries in data collection, analysis, and interpretation with a specific focus on population, demographic, reproductive health and gender data.
• Undertake methodological research with regard to standards on statistical concepts, definitions and
• classifications to assist the ministry of planning and other line ministries and development partners in strengthening their statistical development.
• Review existing methods in use for data collection and provide recommendations for improvement in data quality and consistency.
• Enhance the range of statistics available by increasing the range of population, demographic, reproductive health and gender statistics available and by providing data at lower administrative levels.
• Improve support to data users by presenting data in a more user friendly and accessible format, improving the quality of back-up support to users, improving the timeliness and relevance of data and by increasing the awareness and importance of statistics as a tool in decision-making.
• Assess the resource requirements (human, physical and financial) of the Population and Statistics Units in the ministry of planning and other line ministries for the forthcoming ten year period for purposes of ensuring the production of statistics particularly on population, demographic, reproductive health and gender are adequately resourced.
• Review and strengthen statistical legislation supporting improvements in statistical systems and processes through; user needs assessment, statistical policy and strategy seminars, institutional restructuring and awareness workshops.
• Assist the Program Manager in preparation and monitoring the programme's work related to the development and implementation of a monitoring framework for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda.
• Formulate follow-up plans for the programme's approaches to create synergies and complementarities in terms of statistical data collection and capacity development with other UN agencies working in Somalia.
• Lead and supervise the organization of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on population-related issues. Is responsible for the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participate in international, regional or national meetings to present the results of research; provide substantive expertise on an issue, or hold substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Represent the UNFPA Somalia Population and Development Unit at international, regional or national meetings.
• Lead, supervise and provide technical support to technical cooperation projects in the area of population and development.
• Prepare research proposals for external funding on population issues.
• Prepare briefing notes on population and development issues for the Representative and other senior staff in UNFPA Somalia. With the assistance of the communication specialist, prepare press releases and provide information to be shared with the press and media, as necessary.
• Provide guidance and advice to the line ministries in the planning, operation and evaluation of statistical activities.
• Prepare progress reports and other technical documentation regarding the work programme for presentation to relevant councils, commissions, technical meetings and expert groups.
• Contribute to the Programmes's partnership building and donor relations strategies relating to statistics work by contributing to drafting of proposals for funding among others.
• Prepare and review draft reports, letters and memoranda; carry out ad hoc functions requested by the Program Manager; other related duties and special assignments

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University Degree in demography, population studies, statistics, mathematics, econometrics, or equivalent field with at least five (5) years experience in any of the above fields. A first-level university degree in similar fields is an asset.

OR

• A Bachelor's degree in the above fields with seven (7) years relevant experience in similar fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Masters Degree holders are expected to have at least Five [5] years relevant experience in the relevant field while Bachelor's Degree holders are expected to have at least Seven [7] years relevant experience in the area.
• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of population, reproductive health and socio-economic data, four years of which should be in fragile and conflict countries.
• Specialized license or certification in the above fields with at least six (6) years experience in any of the above fields.
• Experience with the UN's mandate, programmes, and operational activities relating to social and population statistics work.
• Experience in the development of population and statistical concepts and methods and their implementation in countries is required.
• Experience with concepts and indicators for the measurement of sustainable development is desirable.
• Experience with the concepts of capacity development in statistics is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite, CSPro, SPSS, Stata, R statistical packages and population analysis software such as Population Analysis System (PAS), MortPak etc. or other equivalent packages for analysis of data.
• Strong communication and writing skills in English.
• Field experience required dBN09Fa CWiLJy
• Experience working with Somalia authorities is desirable

Languages:

• Fluency in oral and written English.
• Strong communications and writing skills in English.

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• Embracing change Core Competencies:
• Achieving Results
• Being Accountable
• Developing and Applying Professional Expertise/Business Acumen
• Thinking analytically and Strategically
• Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our Relationships
• Communicating for Impact

Functional Competencies:

• Delivering results based programmes,
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Internal and external communication and resource mobilization;
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness;
• Providing a technical support system;
• Facilitating quality programme results

Managerial Competencies:

• Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Duration: One year renewable