Technical Specialist, Population Census and Geospatial Data, Population & Development Branch, Technical Division

The Technical Specialist for Population Census and Geospatial Data, is located in the Population and Development Branch of the Technical Division, reporting to the Technical Adviser on Census, and collaborating closely with the Lead of the GRID3 project. His/Her primary responsibilities within the Population and Development Branch will be to provide technical support to all aspects of the UNFPA census programme, including integration of geospatial dimensions in census data collection, analysis and dissemination. S/he will support the key areas of UNFPA mandate by providing technical input in areas  such as geospatial mapping, migration, civil registration and vital statistics, and  population modelling. S/he will support coordination between routine census support to countries, and geospatial work under the auspices of GRID3. The Technical Specialist works in an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening fashion, which is fundamental for the overall strategy and working ethos of the Technical Division and UNFPA. 

Job Purpose

The Technical Specialist supports the Technical Adviser on Census in all aspects of fulfilling UNFPA’s mission to support implementation of the 2020 round of census, and preparations for the 2030 round.  Given the complementarity of the GRID3 project and the census programme, s/he will also work closely with the GRID3 lead, and will be responsible to assure coordination between routine census support and GRID3 investments, identifying potential synergies and opportunities with regard to geospatial data needs in key countries.

Technical Specialist will  provide innovative technical knowledge on current and emerging methods in his/her areas of expertise. S/he works to strengthen technical capacities of national experts; improve the quality, relevance and usefulness of population data; and promote a more effective and extensive use of population data for development,  including data from censuses, surveys, administrative data and modelled population estimates.

In all activities s/he fosters collaboration within TD, with the Policy and Strategy Division, the Humanitarian Office, and with Regional Offices, ensuring the timeliness, adequacy, relevance and quality of substantive outputs.

The primary roles of the Technical Specialist are:

Technical support

Capacity development

Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination

Technical representation

Education:   

An Advanced Degree in quantitative social sciences, e.g. demography, statistics, population studies, sociology, geography, public health epidemiology, information sciences or related field. PhD desirable. 

Knowledge and Experience:

7 years of experience in the area of population and development, of which 4  at international level, and with progressive levels of technical and managerial responsibility;

Demonstrated understanding of the human rights dimensions of population and development;

Demonstrated technical knowledge and expertise in the substantive area of work;

Proven ability to produce demonstrable results;

Proven excellence in writing and editing in English

Extensive network within the academic and development community;

Experience in data collection and analysis, particularly of census data;

In addition to census, complementary expertise in at least one of the following areas of work is an advantage:  population mobility/migration, refugee statistics, ageing and low fertility, climate change, urbanization, civil registration and vital statistics, population modelling, health sector statistics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and/or gender statistics;

Excellent written and oral communication.