Technical Adviser, Population Dynamics, Asia And the Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok, Thailand, P-5

The Position:

The Population Dynamics Technical Adviser position is located in the UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO), Bangkok, Thailand and is the principal adviser at the regional level for evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue/advice in the area of population dynamics. The Technical Adviser works in an integrated manner with (a) the technical, programme, operations and communication staff of the regional office, (b) country teams across the region and (c) and within the UNFPA across levels in thematic areas related to population dynamics. 

 

They work under the overall leadership of the Regional Director and report directly to the Deputy Regional Director. 

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

 

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

UNFPA is charged with supporting the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), a touchstone in the paradigm shift of development that mandated the protection and fulfillment of human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SRHR) for all, especially women and adolescents. While considerable progress has been made since 1994 in reducing maternal mortality and improving gender equality in some aspects, many issues remain to be addressed, particularly in light of enormous economic, social and demographic changes. The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda calls for a life of dignity for all, through development pathways that integrate the economic, social and environmental aspects of life. The collection, analysis and use of population data are fundamental for this endeavor, especially in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) imperative to “leave no one behind.” In this context, the influence of changing population dynamics on the achievement of the SDGs must be taken into account, and UNFPA needs to enhance its activities in this area. This is particularly true in the Asia-Pacific region and the Eastern Europe and Central Asia Region, where low fertility and population ageing are emerging as key policy areas for countries and governments. The Technical Adviser on Population Dynamics will help further define the strategic direction and priorities of UNFPA in the Asia and the Pacific Region with regards to population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend, collaborating closely with UNFPA Headquarters, other Regional Offices (ROs) and Country Offices (COs). 

You would be responsible for:

 

A. Strategic technical development, monitoring and oversight.

• Provide technical and related programme leadership, management advice and strategic support and guidance to regions in closer collaboration with Technical Division, in relation to population ageing and low fertility and the demographic dividend.
• Support the identification of UNFPA’s comparative advantage and specific contribution on population ageing and low fertility related issues in the changing development agenda of the region.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for the delivery of high-quality technical assistance and programme support on population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend.
• Analyze trends and identify threats and risks in relation to population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend, which may affect the ICPD and SDGs agendas and UNFPA’s work.
• Contribute to Regional Initiatives in the area of expertise. 
• Participate in the UNFPA technical network on population and development, particularly as far as the UNFPA value proposition on population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend is concerned, and maintain communication and feedback loops on all substantive work.
• Initiate and support the development of inter-regional UNFPA initiatives and partnerships on population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend. 
• Coach and supervise junior professional staff, associates and consultants as necessary, and facilitate working groups and task teams.

 

B. Quality control of technical support and capacity development

• Advise Country Offices on the implementation and proper application of policy development and dialogue, strategies, guidelines and tools in relation to population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend ensuring consistency and coherence in addressing priorities for UNFPA.
• Ensure that state-of-the-art thinking and research is integrated within the work of UNFPA and partnership networks.
• Review products of technical support at key stages of UNFPA, UN, and national development planning exercises, as far as population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend are concerned.
• Organize or contribute to regional and inter-country training activities in the area of expertise, for capacity development of COs and regional/national counterparts.
• Support the development of (sub-)regional institutional capacities for delivering high-quality technical support on population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend and related issues.
• Initiate, develop, strengthen and monitor substantive regional partnerships, including for South-South technical support to countries and for the implementation of the UNFPA Regional Programme. 

 

C. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination

• Lead the systematic analysis of population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend and their developmental implications at regional and sub-regional levels; and synthesize substantive trends in policy development and public investments, emerging needs and research findings in the region in order to produce new, cutting-edge technical knowledge.
• Prepare briefings and materials for evidence-based policy dialogues at regional level, and provide similar support at the request of Country Offices.
• Disseminate and promote the use of state-of-the-art technical knowledge, evidence, lessons learned and success stories and ensure their use to improve the effectiveness of UNFPA operations around population ageing, low fertility and the demographic dividend.
• Collect, analyze and synthetize information/data and experience on programme priorities for further use in regional and global advocacy and for resource mobilization. 
• Contribute to advocacy efforts to advance the ICPD agenda and the attainment of relevant SDG targets at the regional level. 

 

D. Technical representation

• Represent UNFPA in meetings and events focused on population ageing, low fertility, the demographic dividend and related issues.
• Participate in policy dialogue on population ageing and low fertility and its implications, and advocate for the inclusion of substantive and relevant issues in international, inter-governmental, UN and other policy and technical meetings and fora.
• Collaborate on substantive issues with UN agencies, academia, research and training institutions, think tanks, centers of excellence and professional societies.

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

 

Education:  

 

Advanced university degree in Economics and/or Demography, or other fields directly relevant to the interrelations between demographic changes and sustainable development.

 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience – including practical experience in policy formulation and application – on population issues and their policy implications, with emphasis on the linkages between population, economic and social policies and environmental sustainability. 
• Demonstrated expertise and programme experience in population ageing, low fertility and demographic dividend.
• Strong track record of intellectual and technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with the ability to articulate a holistic and interdisciplinary vision of population ageing, low fertility, the demographic dividend and solutions to issues.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, especially for transfer of knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to network with the academia and development community.
• Familiarity with management and monitoring tools is desirable.
• Field experience and experience of working in the Asia-Pacific region are strongly desirable.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable. 

 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system

Embracing diversity in all its forms

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving Results

Being Accountable

Developing and Applying Professional Expertise/Business Acumen

Thinking analytically and Strategically

Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our Relationships

Communicating for Impact 

 

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy / Advancing a policy-orientated agenda

Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners / building strategic alliances and partnerships

Delivering results based programmes

Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization

Strategically positioning UNFPA programme

Providing a technical support system

 

Managerial Competencies:

Providing strategic focus,

Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,

Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance

Making decisions and exercising judgment

 

Compensation and Benefits:

 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer: 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.