International Consultancy - Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Expert, WCARO

Background 

The UNFPA WCARO is leading the HISWACA project, in partnership with the World Bank, regional economic communities (ECOWAS and CEMAC), to improve and unify population data quality throughout West and Central Africa. A primary area of concern is the underdeveloped state of the region's Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems. Although birth registration rates have seen progress, registration for deaths, marriages, and divorces remains critical, often staying below 5% in various nations. Globally, death registration in this region is particularly weak, with most countries registering fewer than one in ten deaths. Strengthening these CRVS systems in West and Central Africa is essential for securing fundamental human rights, as it provides the legal identity necessary for citizens to access education, healthcare, and social protections. Additionally, the availability of high-quality CRVS data allows national authorities to move toward more exact, data-driven policymaking, ensuring that regional issues in economic growth and public health are met with effective, evidence-based solutions. 

Consequently, UNFPA WCARO is looking for an international consultant to help bolster CRVS systems in the ECOWAS and CEMAC member states. This consultancy builds upon the HISWACA Practical Guidelines for CRVS Systems—already developed for both ECOWAS and CEMAC regions—which align with international standards, UN principles, and the Africa Programme on Accelerated Improvement of CRVS Systems (APAI-CRVS), while responding to regional digital, legal, and socio-cultural specificities. 

Purpose 

The primary objectives of this consultancy are to: 

• Provide technical assistance to support the strengthening of CRVS systems at country level: 

  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of CRVS systems, ensuring they meet international standards and national needs. 

  • Assist in the development and/or implementation of comprehensive national roadmaps outlining the steps necessary to strengthen CRVS systems, including policy reforms, institutional arrangements, and resource allocation. 

  • Contribution to the validation meetings of the practical guidelines. 

• Facilitate Strategic Partnership Building & Coordination: Foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector, to promote the importance of strong CRVS systems. 

• Knowledge dissemination and regional engagement: Assist in expanding knowledge sharing and dissemination of best practices at country and regional levels. 

Scope of work 

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 

1. Technical assistance: 

Provide technical support to government agencies and relevant institutions in areas such as: 

1. Contribute to the technical validation meetings of the practical guidelines. 

2. Conduct targeted technical missions to at least three priority countries to support the implementation of the HISWACA CRVS Guidelines, identify bottlenecks, and advise on national action plans. Country selection will be agreed with UNFPA WCARO at the outset of the consultancy. 

3. Mobilize political will and technical expertise by organizing strategic meetings with key national decision-makers to ensure cross-sectoral buy-in. 

Support the development and/or implementation of tailored national action plans/roadmaps that provide a clear, actionable path toward modernized and integrated CRVS systems. 

      2. Strategic Partnership Building & Coordination 

1. Evaluate national CRVS performance using international benchmarks, such as the CRVS Decade Framework, to ensure systems meet global requirements for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness. 

2. Document and share selected regional good practices, drawing on country mission findings and existing HISWACA documentation, to support peer learning and evidence-based advocacy. 

3. Analyze recurring regional challenges—such as registration in conflict zones or cross-border mobility—to develop tailored, evidence-based solutions that can be scaled across priority countries. 

4. Knowledge dissemination and regional engagement: 

5. Contribute to implementing a series of technical webinars—balanced between English and French—to ensure equitable knowledge sharing across the diverse linguistic landscape of West and Central Africa. 

6. Facilitate Interactive Virtual Learning through dynamic online sessions designed to maximize participant engagement, peer-to-peer networking, and real-time problem-solving among national registrars. 

7. Establish a digital archive of session recordings and technical materials to serve as a long-term reference library for stakeholders and new practitioners in the region. 

Deliverables 

The consultant will deliver the following outputs: 

Technical assistance: 

• Country mission reports 

• Country-specific CRVS system assessment matrices 

• National-level support plans for individual countries 

• Training materials, evaluation reports and guidelines 

Strategic partnership building and coordination 

• Mapping of CRVS partners in West and Central Africa 

• CRVS system assessment reports (at least 3 countries) 

• In-depth case study (at least 1) 

• Thematic analytical notes (marriage, divorce, death, digitization, etc.) 

• Public policy briefs based on the analyses (minimum 2) 

Knowledge dissemination and regional engagement: 

• Webinar schedule for the consultancy period (minimum 3 thematic webinars, bilingual English/French) 

• Concept notes for each session 

• PowerPoint presentations for each webinar 

• Summaries of discussions and key recommendations 

• Updates (e.g. through newsletters) on CRVS in the region (quarterly) 

Qualifications and Experience 

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience: 

• Advanced degree (Master’s level minimum) in demography, public health, statistics, law, or a related field; a PhD is an asset 

• Proven experience in CRVS system development and implementation 

• Strong understanding of international standards and best practices in CRVS systems 

• Experience in working with diverse stakeholders in developing countries 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 

• Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments 

• Experience in developing and implementing strategic plans. 

• Fluency in English and/or French. 

The individual shall include a short summary highlighting the following: 

• Evidence of previous similar work. 

• Knowledge of, or work experience in CRVS systems. 

• A detailed plan of work, with deliverables and timelines. 

• A detailed financial proposal in US Dollars. 

Applicants must include one to three samples of comparable work completed in the past five years, with a brief description of the services rendered, the name and contact details of the relevant client focal point, and a link to the publication where available. Send your application to madiouf@unfpa.org

Timeline 

The consultancy will be conducted over six months at an estimated rate of 15 working days per month (90 working days in total). 

Place where services are to be delivered: 

Home based with possible travel to countries in West and Central Africa. 

Budget and payment schedule

The consultant will be paid a total sum of USD 52,770.6$ to be paid in 6 monthly installments of USD 8795,1$ upon completion of the deliverables mentioned above. 

Reporting and Monitoring 

The consultant will report to the Population and Data Advisor and will be subject to regular monitoring and evaluation. The consultant will submit monthly progress reports summarizing activities, achievements, and challenges encountered. The Population and Data Advisor will conduct regular meetings with the consultant to review progress, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with project objectives.