UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

UNFPA Afghanistan is implementing its fourth Country Programme (2015-2019) with subsequent extensions up to the year 2027. Implementing its mandate, UNFPA works in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders to support national data systems to provide quality services with wider coverage. The country programme contributes to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 1,3, 4, 5, 10,16, and 17 within the context of the Decade of Action, and supports the implementation of the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA 2024-2025). In the area of Population and Development, UNFPA works closely, under the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, with partners and stakeholders to strengthen evidence and data to address inequalities, advance the commitments of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the UN Country Team, Humanitarian Coordination Team and both humanitarian and development partners to achieve the SDGs to enhance evidence based programming and accountability.

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of hiring an Individual Consultant is twofold that is provide population and data strategic technical assistance to UNFPA Country Office and on the other hand to provide strategic advice to the UN Country Team and work with the Humanitarian Country Team to strengthen the data and evidence based interventions for the UN system and beyond and coordinate the Data Working Group, working closely with key partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and humanitarian and development cooperation arms of partners and stakeholders at the national level. 

You would be responsible for: Under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Deputy Representative, as well as in close collaboration with programme units and field teams, the Population and Data Consultant provides expertise and technical support in the areas of data and evidence, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting. He/She will perform the following tasks:

Key Tasks:

• Review the political, social, economic and humanitarian landscape  and its implication to the overall population and development and data in Afghanistan, and pursue opportunities for UNFPA, the UN system and partners assistance and interventions. 
• Assesses implications of new policy developments, strategies and decisions of the De Facto Authorities (DFA), regional and global narratives provide advice in respect to SDG targets in line with the ICPD, the UN Strategic Framework  for Afghanistan  to articulate evidence based interventions using data. 
• Under the Data Working Group and auspices of the co-chairs lead the creation and documentation of knowledge about current and emerging population development and humanitarian trends, and data issues in Afghanistan, by the UN Programme Management Team through the analysis of programme, projects, strategies, approaches and on-going experience for lessons learned, best practices, and uses this knowledge for information sharing and planning future strategies; Contribute to the development of the CO knowledge base on population dynamics.
• Under the Data Working Group and its co-chairs, provide technical advice to the data working group and steer the development of the national data and evidence strategy with focus on population related data
• Develop strategic analysis using large socio-economic, humanitarian and development datasets and lead the high level empirical quantitative and qualitative research and secondary analysis to advance the data and evidence in the country
• Provide technical support in generating evidence at national and sub national level to inform programming including technical support to national level surveys and area-based humanitarian assessments;
• Support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the progress on the Demographic Dividend
• Coordinate under the auspices of the UN RC/HC the Population projections for Afghanistan and develop policy briefs with focus on population related policies 
• Work with both development and humanitarian partners, including the UN, development cooperation partners, international and national stakeholders to have a consolidated potential data source and reference for effective evidence based interventions.
• Ensure the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality and protection of collected information. 
• Provides technical guidance and support to the revitalization of the civil registration and vital statistic program;
• Actively participates in relevant technical working groups in UNSFA Strategic Result Area to advance UNFPA’s area of work as well as the Data and Information Management Group under the new humanitarian architecture;
• Contribute to think-pieces, flagship publications, and other knowledge products on relevant themes and priorities.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Master's degree in Population Sciences, Public Health, Demography or related field in Economics or Statistics or a relevant combination of education.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the field of population and development, humanitarian and data for development
• Knowledge of Afghanistan’s socio-economic landscape, population dynamics, humanitarian needs and understanding of socio-cultural issues as well as firsthand experience in dealing with large data sets, survey and population census will be an asset
• Experience of conducting analysis of surveys (DHS and MICS) and humanitarian assessments in sexual and reproductive health, family planning and GBV.
• Strong results-based programme management experience with particular focus on strategic planning and capacity building.
• Communication skills especially for transfer of knowledge
• Proven ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders and partners 

Language requirements:

Excellent command of written and spoken English. Dari and Pashto are necessary as the working language in Afghanistan.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:
 

The consultant is expected to provide all necessary equipment to complete the assignment (computer, software, phone, etc).

UNFPA will provide all relevant background information and documentation regarding the regional and country contexts as well as relevant documents on the related position. 

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

UNFPA will only accept properly completed job application forms in Quantum before the closing date & will not consider late submissions after the closing date. Any information provided on the Quantum job application form will be considered binding.

To Apply Click Here