Extended Deadline: Technical Specialist, Demographic Dividend, Population & Development Branch, Programme Division (PD), Nairobi, Kenya, P-4

Organizational Context

The Technical Specialist (Demographic Dividend) is based in the Population and Development Branch, reporting to the Programme Adviser, Demographic Resilience. This role provides technical expertise and analytical support on population dynamics and harnessing the demographic dividend, focusing on countries in early and intermediate stages of demographic transition. The incumbent contributes to UNFPA’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2029, accelerating the ICPD Programme of Action and SDGs by adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

Job Purpose

The Technical Specialist is responsible for supporting UNFPA's work on demographic analysis, policy application, and programme support, with a specific focus on countries undergoing early and intermediate stages of demographic transition. The role ensures that population data and evidence are effectively translated into actionable policy, strategic planning, impactful programmes, and tangible development outcomes. This position plays a crucial role in adapting to demographic change, upholding individual rights, and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, aligning with UNFPA's mandate and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist provides leadership and analytical support by offering expertise on population dynamics and harnessing the demographic dividend, particularly in countries at early and intermediate stages of demographic transition. This includes leading advanced demographic and economic analyses, such as population projections and National Transfer Accounts, and supporting the application of Demographic Resilience Reviews and scenario modelling. The role strengthens the use of foundational population data systems and their integration with geospatial data for policy and planning. Capacity development is key, involving technical support to national entities for data analysis and application in development planning, fiscal policy, and sectoral strategies, alongside contributing to training initiatives and fostering peer learning. The specialist also contributes to generating and synthesizing evidence on population trends, supporting demographic foresight, monitoring emerging research, and identifying knowledge gaps to strengthen the evidence base for rights-based population policy. Furthermore, the role fosters strategic partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and research institutions, participates in international fora, and supports resource mobilization efforts by preparing technical inputs for proposals and engaging with donors. Policy influence and advocacy involve translating demographic evidence into actionable policy messages and supporting the integration of demographic analysis into national policies and UN programming frameworks.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in population and development analysis, research, and policy engagement, with demonstrated expertise in demographic analysis and its application to rights-based policy and planning. Experience in areas such as fertility, mortality, SRHR, gender equality, migration, population and climate change, or humanitarian contexts is desirable. Experience in resource mobilization and working in low and middle-income countries is highly desirable.

Skills

Core competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, embracing cultural diversity and change, accountability, professional expertise, analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. Functional skills encompass conceptual innovation, building strategic partnerships, job knowledge, adapting knowledge to different contexts, and integration in multidisciplinary environments.

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