The Position:

The Data and Foresight Analyst assists in generating real-time insights, trend analysis, and strategic foresight that inform humanitarian preparedness, peacebuilding strategies, and development programming, guiding and facilitating the delivery of UNFPA’s programmes. 

The Data and Foresight Analyst will report to the Deputy Representative. 
 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Data and Foresight Analyst supports the effective management of UNFPA activities in generating real-time insights, trend analysis, and strategic foresight in the areas of population and development, reproductive health and gender and development programming, thereby guiding and facilitating the delivery of UNFPA’s programs. You will assist in monitoring results achieved during implementation, guiding the appropriate application of systems and procedures, and developing enhancements as required.

You would be responsible for:

1. Data Analytics and Insights Generation

• Compile and analyze information for country program formulation, drafting project documents, work plans, and statistical data.
• Design and manage data collection, cleaning, integration, and analysis pipelines.
• Conduct advanced statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and scenario simulations to derive actionable insights.
• Visualize data through dashboards, reports, and interactive tools for evidence-based planning and reporting.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and alignment with organizational standards.
• Identify, collect, clean, and analyze diverse primary and secondary data sources, including big data and real-time sources.
• Lead the design and execution of analytics processes, detecting signals and trends through data science techniques.
• Explore opportunities for applied statistical and operations research and analysis to assess validity and impact, linking quantitative forecasting and qualitative foresight data with strategic objectives.
• Elaborate requirements, test analytical tools and platforms, and contribute to developing an analytical and backend environment for foresight needs. 

2. Strategic Foresight and Trend Analysis

• Scan global, regional, and local environments for emerging trends, weak signals, disruptions, and game-changing developments.
• Facilitate the development of plausible future scenarios, horizon scanning, and systems mapping.
• Support anticipatory action and long-term planning by synthesizing foresight outputs into strategic recommendations.
• Provide technical advice and lead experimentation in planning and coordinating foresight experiments with data and analytics, including defining research, elaborating business needs, identifying data feasibility requirements, and developing concepts and proposals.

3. Knowledge Translation and Capacity Building

• Translate complex data and foresight outputs into accessible insights for internal stakeholders, partners, and donors.
• Build the foresight literacy and data capability of staff through training, tools, and participatory exercises.
• Document best practices, case studies, and foresight methodologies for knowledge sharing.
• Support and guide the development of skills, technological capacities, and services for using data analytics and strategic foresight in planning and strategy.
• Advise on developing accessible data interfaces and processes, and guide data visualization, communication design, and data use through charts, graphs, infographics, and dashboards.
• Write and revise technical documentation, proactively record and share lessons learned, and contribute to a culture of learning and innovation.

4. Collaboration and Technical Support

• Work closely with program, policy, and innovation teams to embed foresight and analytics in project design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Liaise with external partners, UN agencies, think tanks, academia, and innovation labs to co-create knowledge and exchange intelligence.
• Provide technical inputs to strategy development processes, evaluations, and research initiatives.
• Coordinate and guide work with thematic specialists, consultants, and partners, building connections with the broader innovation ecosystem for interdisciplinary partnerships, and liaise with colleagues to ensure safe, ethical, and inclusive practices.
   

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced degree in public health, population, demography, gender studies, development studies, and/or other related social science fields; and ICT/Computing/applied sciences studies.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• A minimum of 2 years progressively responsible experience in the field of development and population activities, preferably in programme/ project management. Experience should include development of policies, ability to negotiate and coordinate with all relevant sectors of government, the private sector, international agencies and civil society groups. Experience in conflict sensitivity approach and programming is an asset.
• Proficiency in tools such as Power BI, Tableau, ArcGIS, Excel, Python/R, KoboToolbox, or similar. Familiarity with scenario planning, horizon scanning, Delphi methods, futures wheels, and systems mapping. Ability to work with spatial data, AI, and conduct geospatial intelligence using tools like QGIS, Google Earth Engine, etc.

Languages: 

 Fluency in English is required.
 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• 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-oriented 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

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.

UNFPA Work Environment:

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.