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.

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to enhance the capacity of health managers, particularly aimag and Ulaanbaatar district health officers, in maternal, perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health by enhancing their knowledge and skills in statistical analysis. This will enable them to perform statistical tests, interpret key health indicators, and apply evidence-based insights to improve decision-making, program planning, and reporting.

Scope of work:

Background: Within this framework of Government of Mongolia and UNFPA Seventh Country Programme (CP7, 2023-2027), working with government and partners, UNFPA aims to contribute to the acceleration of the national progress towards the elimination of preventable maternal and perinatal mortality, and the unmet need for family planning in Mongolia. 

It is important that policies and programmes are based on robust epidemiological evidence. Mongolia health information systems produce a wide range of data on maternal and child health. However, often these data are not presented to decision makers, stakeholders, and clinicians in a form that they are easily understood, so they can lead to tangible actions. Moreover, the annual report of the Maternal and Child Health Surveillance Unit lacks proper statistical analysis and clinical interpretation leading to formulation of specific targeted response. The information is usually presented in percentages with limited descriptive statistical analysis without accounting for the compounding factors. The interpretation is usually lacking, which limits the involvement of clinicians in the analysis and response development.

Therefore, under project “Accelerating the progress towards the elimination of preventable maternal and perinatal mortality” funded by the Government of Luxembourg, UNFPA purposes to improve the quality of analysis and interpretation of maternal and perinatal health data by exposing the health officers and statisticians working at health departments of the capital city and aimags in a systematic training course to better formulate, compile, interpret, and represent the data for policy and programming, as well as writing research articles to peer reviewed journals.

The training will be intended for three groups of trainees:

1. Technical staff of the MoH responsible for the maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and SRH, and officers of the statistics department of the Center for Health Development, an agency reporting to MoH responsible for the monthly and annual health indicators.
2. Staff of the NCMCH Surveillance Unit and Research Department
3. Officers in charge of maternal, perinatal and SRH at Ulaanbaatar City health department, district health centers and aimag health departments

Therefore, UNFPA is seeking a qualified Individual Consultant (IC) on epidemiology and biostatistics training programme for the health professionals working in area of maternal, perinatal, sexual and reproductive health.

Objectives:  The IC will provide training to three distinct groups: (1) health policy makers and managers at the NCMCH, (2) health statistical and surveillance staff at the NCMCH and CHD, and (3) provincial and district health officers. It’s crucial that the training objectives are specifically designed to address the unique needs of each category. 

1. For Policy Makers and Health Managers at the NCMCH the IC will focus on enhancing capacity to interpret maternal, perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health data through training on epidemiological trends, critical indicators, and evidence-based policy formulation.

Scope for health policy makers and managers : Develop and deliver two comprehensive one-day workshops tailored specifically for policy makers and health managers,         focusing on the following core areas:

1.1 Interpretation and contextualization of key maternal, perinatal, sexual, and reproductive health indicators, emphasizing their relevance for policy formulation and program monitoring.

1.2 Critical appraisal of epidemiological evidence, including fundamental concepts such as uncertainty, statistical variability, bias, confounding, and causality, with practical examples relevant to the Mongolian context.

1.3 Effective communication strategies for presenting complex statistical findings in clear, accessible, and decision-focused formats, including the use of data visualization tools that enhance comprehension among diverse stakeholders.

1.4 Facilitate interactive exercises where participants practice drafting policy briefs or evidence summaries utilizing real national or subnational datasets, reinforcing skills in synthesizing and communicating key findings.

1.5 Provide participants with standardized templates, guidelines, and checklists for preparing policy brief grounded in epidemiological evidence.

 

2.For Health Statisticians and Surveillance Staff at the NCMCH and CHD, the focus will be on providing advanced training on epidemiological methods, hypothesis testing and SPSS software utilization to improve data analysis, reporting quality, and writing research publication

Scope for health statistical and surveillance staff :

2.1 Design and implement an 8-week intensive coaching programme with two half-day interactive sessions per week, covering:

• Comprehensive epidemiological study designs including cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and surveillance methodologies relevant to maternal and perinatal health.
• Advanced statistical techniques, such as hypothesis testing (t-tests, chi-square), multivariable regression models (logistic, Poisson), handling complex survey data (weighting, clustering, stratification), and techniques for addressing missing data (multiple imputation).
• Extensive hands-on training in SPSS software, emphasizing data management, statistical analysis, graphical visualization, and report generation tailored to the datasets available within Mongolia’s national health information systems.
• Methods for data quality assessment and validation within surveillance systems, including data cleaning protocols, outlier detection, and consistency checks.
• A module on ethical principles and data confidentiality, ensuring participants are familiar with local and international standards for protecting sensitive health information.

2.2 Use real-world datasets from SISS or NCMCH Surveillance to provide practical learning opportunities, enabling participants to apply theoretical knowledge in authentic analytic contexts.

2.3 Provide technical mentorship and support for participants to draft, review, and finalize a chapter of the annual maternal and child health report, incorporating rigorous statistical analyses, interpretation of results, and high-quality graphics that effectively communicate findings.

2.4 Offer guidance and collaborative support for participants interested in preparing manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals, enhancing local research dissemination capacity.

2.5 Conduct formal pre- and post-training knowledge and skills assessments to quantitatively measure learning gains and identify areas needing additional focus.

3. For Provincial and District Health Officers - Conduct practical training on accurate data compilation, quality reporting, and the use of descriptive statistics to support l     local-level decision making and program monitoring.

Scope for provincial and district health officers: Develop and conduct five half-day in-online courses specifically designed for provincial and district health officers, encompassing:

3.1 Procedures for accurate data collection, rigorous cleaning, and validation techniques tailored to maternal and reproductive health indicators, ensuring high-quality data inputs at local levels.

3.2 Application of basic epidemiological concepts and descriptive statistical measures, including frequencies, proportions, rates, means, medians, and measures of dispersion relevant to health program monitoring.

3.3 Training on the use of standardized reporting formats and data entry protocols, fully aligned with Mongolia’s national health information systems to promote uniformity and comparability of reported data.

3.4 Facilitated practical exercises and group problem-solving sessions using real national or subnational datasets to reinforce learning and foster collaborative troubleshooting of common reporting challenges.

3.5 Collect and analyze pre- and post-training evaluation data, participant feedback surveys, and conduct follow-up monitoring to assess training impact on data reporting quality and health program management.

3.6 Develop and provide comprehensive training materials, user-friendly manuals, and job aids to facilitate ongoing learning and reference post-training

4. For all three groups - Facilitating the interpretation and communication of epidemiological findings across all participant groups to strengthen data-driven maternal and reproductive health programming and policy implementation.

Duration and working schedule: 

The consultancy is expected to 4 non-consecutive months in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from October 15, 2025 to February 15, 2026. This role is deliverable-based and not restricted to specific working hours.

A place where services are to be delivered: 

The selected IC will work from own workplace. 

Deliverables and Due Dates:

Inception Report : An Inception Report describing the details of capacity building for each target group (A) - By 31 October 2025

Policy Makers and Health Managers   

• Detailed curricula and training materials for tailored workshops (A)* - By 31 October 2025
• Delivery of two one-day workshops including training materials, evidence of participant engagement, and exercises (B) – By 30 November 2025
• Qualitative assessment report summarizing participant feedback and training impact (B) – By 31 December 2025
• Final report on workshops including policy brief templates and recommendations (C) – By 15 January 2026

Health Statisticians and Surveillance Staff      

• Detailed curricula and training materials for 8-week coaching programme (A)** - By 31 October 2025
• Delivery of 8-week coaching programme sessions with practical SPSS exercises and mentorship (B) – By 15 November 2025
• Draft chapter of the annual maternal and child health report with statistical analysis and graphics (B) – By 30 November 2025
• Pre- and post-training assessment results and coaching progress report (B) – By 31 December 2025
• Manuscript drafts or technical papers (if applicable, C) – By 15 January 2026
• Final coaching programme report summarizing activities, outcomes, challenges, and recommendations (C) – By 31 January 2026
• Provincial and District Health Officers   Detailed curricula and training materials for 5 half-day online trainings (A)*** - By 31 October 2025
• Delivery of 5-half-day online training courses with exercises and practical sessions (B) – By 30 November 2025
• Training evaluation report including pre/post-test scores, participant feedback, and training impact (B)           15 Dec 2025
• Final report on trainings including lessons learned and recommendations (C) - By 31 December 2025

Provincial and District Health Officers

• Detailed curricula and training materials for 5 half-day online trainings (A)*** - By 31 October 2025
• Delivery of 5-half-day online training courses with exercises and practical sessions (B) – By 30 November 2025
• Training evaluation report including pre/post-test scores, participant feedback, and training impact (B) - 15 December 2025
• Final report on trainings including lessons learned and recommendations (C) – By 31 December 2025

All Groups (Cross-Cutting Deliverables)         

• Final comprehensive consultancy report covering all groups and activities – By 31 January 2026

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format, and deadline:

The IC should work in close consultation with the UNFPA SRHR team and Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and provide progress updates through a weekly email as per the schedule jointly confirmed upon the start of the consultancy. The reporting requirements, formats, and deadlines will be refined during the first briefing session.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The selected IC will work under the direct guidance and supervision of the SRHR/AY Program Specialist, who will have direct oversight responsibility in ensuring timely completion of the work and provide technical guidance in ensuring quality deliverables. 

Expected travel: No travel is expected.

Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies, including language requirements:

Education:  

• Master’s degree in epidemiology and biostatistics

 Knowledge and Experience: 

• Demonstrated 7-years’ experience in training in epidemiology, and biostatistics
• Strong command of SPSS software
• Published article(s) in health or medical peer-reviewed journal with application of statistics

Languages: 

• Excellent command of English to use professional literature and providing the final report

Required Competencies: 

• Demonstrating integrity and accountability. 
• Excellent teamwork skills.
• Coordination and facilitation skills.
• Adequate level of organizational, time management, and communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure with strict timelines.
• Knowledge of human rights, research ethics, sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, population, and research in general.
• Development and evaluation and experience with data analysis tools.
• Strong command of English for creating reports, documentation, and presentations.

*See annex 1 for a sample programme (the sample programme will be refined upon discussion with the selected candidate)

** See annex 2 for a sample programme (the sample programme will be refined upon discussion with the selected candidate)

*** See annex 3 for a sample programme (the sample programme will be refined upon discussion with the selected candidate)

Annex 1. Sample programme for Policy Makers and Health Managers

1. Principles of Epidemiology

Descriptive Epidemiology, Standardization

• Define, calculate, and interpret primary measures of morbidity and mortality by person, place, and time characteristics
  • Know the difference between crude, category-specific, and adjusted rates
  • Be able to compute adjusted rates
  • Know the advantages and limitations of using crude, category-specific, and adjusted rates

2. Surveillance

• Identify state, national, and international surveillance systems
• Describe passive and active surveillance systems
• Identify methods of collecting, analyzing, and reporting surveillance data
• Estimate magnitude of the problem 
• Determine geographic distribution of the problem
• Generate hypotheses, stimulate research
• Identify or collect data for surveillance
• Analysis & Interpretation
• Develop control measures

3. Population Sampling Methods

4. Screening

5. Study Designs

6. Measures of Association, Hypothesis Testing, Confidence Intervals

7. Confounding Bias, Effect Modification, Selection Bias, Information Bias, 

8. Causal Inference

Annex 2. Sample programme for Health Statisticians and Surveillance Staff

1. Principles of Epidemiology

Descriptive Epidemiology, Standardization

• Define, calculate, and interpret primary measures of morbidity and mortality by person, place, and time characteristics
  • Know the difference between crude, category-specific, and adjusted rates
  • Be able to compute adjusted rates
  • Know the advantages and limitations of using crude, category-specific, and adjusted rates

2. Surveillance

• Identify state, national, and international surveillance systems
• Describe passive and active surveillance systems
• Identify methods of collecting, analyzing, and reporting surveillance data
• Estimate magnitude of the problem 
• Determine geographic distribution of the problem
• Generate hypotheses, stimulate research
• Identify or collect data for surveillance
• Analysis & Interpretation
• Develop control measures

3. Population Sampling Methods

4. Screening

5. Study Designs

6. Measures of Association, Hypothesis Testing, Confidence Intervals

7. Confounding Bias, Effect Modification, Selection Bias, Information Bias, 

8. Causal Inference

9. SPSS training

Introduction

• Knowledge Level Identification Test
• Installing SPSS on your computers
• Copying database (may use SISS 2018 or 2023 database)

Non-random variables: 

• Calculating current value of variable
• Calculating changes in values over period of time
• Aggregating data: averages, minimum, maximum, trend

Random Variables

• Estimating mean
• Estimating parameters of variability
• Testing significance of estimates and differences
• Correlation between variables
• Time trends analysis
• Regression analysis

Simple statistics for random variables

Differences between random variables

Relations between two variables: correlation

Introduction of regression

Regression with discrete dependent variable

Bias: Survey sample to achieve unbiased estimate

10. Practical research training

• Literature review
• Plagiarism
• Qualitative Data Research Analysis
• Questionnaire designing
• Research problem statement
• Research report
• Research reference

Annex 3. Sample programme for Provincial and District Health Officers

1. Principles of Epidemiology

Descriptive Epidemiology

2. The Where, Why, and How of Data Collection

Collect data 

• e.g., Survey, Observation, 
• Experiments

Present data

• e.g., Charts and graphs

Characterize data

• e.g., Sample mean =

Making statements about a population by examining sample results

Tools for Collecting Data

Types of Questions

Sampling Techniques

Data Types

3. Graphs, Charts, and Tables – Describing Your Data

Frequency Distributions

Histograms in Excel

4. Describing Data Using Numerical Measures

• Compute and interpret the mean, median, and mode for a set of data
• Compute the range, variance, and standard deviation and know what these values mean
• Construct and interpret a box and whisker graph 
• Compute and explain the coefficient of variation and z scores
• Use numerical measures along with graphs, charts, and tables to describe data

5.  Discrete Probability Distributions

6. Continuous Probability Distributions

7. Introduction to Sampling Distributions

8. Estimating Single Population Parameters

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.