Population and Development Technical Specialist

Organizational Context

UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, is dedicated to a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Its strategic plan (2026-2029) emphasizes ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence, while also focusing on adaptation to demographic change. This UNV assignment supports the Demographic Resilience programme in Central Asia, aiming to integrate demographic intelligence into regional and national policies and frameworks.

Job Purpose

This UNV assignment is part of UNFPA's Demographic Resilience programme, focusing on Central Asia. The role involves generating, analyzing, and facilitating the incorporation of demographic intelligence into sub-regional and national frameworks and policies. The objective is to strengthen societal resilience to demographic shifts, ensuring that political, social, economic, and environmental contexts, along with national aspirations, are considered in tailored pathways to demographic resilience. This contributes to UNFPA's strategic goals of ensuring every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled, while advancing rights, choices, and empowerment.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer will provide technical and programmatic support to Central Asian countries on demographic shifts and their implications for sustainable development, including intersections with megatrends like climate change and migration. Responsibilities include generating and utilizing data and evidence for policy formulation, focusing on social transformation, macroeconomic development, and social protection reforms. The role involves empowering country offices to advance UNFPA's Strategic Plan and the Demographic Resilience Programme, translating evidence into rights-based policies and development plans. Collaboration with UN sister agencies and development partners is key, as is guiding thought leadership with stakeholders such as academia, civil society, and financial institutions. Ensuring technical knowledge products are updated, disseminated, and utilized for effective collaboration, capacity development, and advocacy is also crucial.

Work Experience

A minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience is required in generating and using demographic data and evidence for policy formulation. Experience should focus on the linkages between demographic shifts and social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Demonstrable technical expertise in population and development, including leading evidence-based analyses and publications, is essential. Familiarity with demographic analysis tools and translating research into actionable policies is also required. Experience working with diverse institutions and building partnerships is necessary.

Skills

Key competencies include integrity, commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, embracing cultural diversity and change, achieving results, accountability, and developing professional expertise. Analytical and strategic thinking, teamwork, and effective communication are vital. The role requires initiative, sound judgment, liaison and management skills, and a strong interest in development work. Expertise in development programmes, economics, and finance is expected. Proficiency in English is required, with Russian language proficiency being desirable.

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