Census Technical Expert Consultant

Organizational Context

UNFPA is the lead UN agency dedicated to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization's strategic plan (2022-2025) focuses on ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. This role supports the Government of Eswatini in conducting the 2027 Population and Housing Census (PHC).

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this consultancy is to provide high-level expertise to the Government of Eswatini for the effective, timely, and high-quality conduct of the 2027 Population and Housing Census (PHC), ensuring adherence to international standards and best practices. The role aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the Central Statistical Office (CSO) in census planning, coordination, and execution. The consultant will contribute substantively to the planning, management, and preparatory processes of the PHC, including the development of essential data collection instruments and tools, ensuring the census meets its objectives and contributes to national development goals.

Responsibilities

The consultant will provide strategic and technical support throughout the census preparatory phase, aligning with UNFPA standards, government procedures, and development partner requirements. Key duties include reviewing and assessing census preparatory processes, such as cartographic mapping and household listing, and providing recommendations for improvement. The role involves coordinating and strengthening overall preparatory processes, facilitating the refinement of the census workplan and budget, and supporting its implementation. Technical leadership will be provided in questionnaire design and training material development. The consultant will lead the pilot census, including data analysis and report preparation, and regularly assess PHC activity progress, providing feedback to the CSO and UNFPA. Contributions will be made to data analysis and tabulation plans, and comprehensive training plans will be developed to build the capacity of personnel involved in field operations, data processing, and analysis. Support will also be provided for resource mobilization, census awareness activities, and the establishment of census governance structures.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in social and demographic data collection, processing, and analysis, preferably within a Sub-Saharan African country. Must have participated in the planning and implementation of at least three censuses, including one digital population and housing census in a Sub-Saharan African country.

Skills

Proficiency in current office software applications and excellent command of at least one current data-processing and analysis software. Core competencies include achieving results, accountability, developing professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, and teamwork. Functional skills encompass capacity building for statistical office officers, technological integration of digital data collection tools, GIS systems, databases, and risk management.

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