The Position:

This consultancy will support UNFPA Nepal, the National Statistics Office (NSO), and relevant line ministries to extend and consolidate Small Area Estimation (SAE) and geospatial population modelling work initiated during 2024–2025. Building on Census 2021, NDHS 2022, and existing geospatial analyses, the assignment will generate municipality-level population and development indicators and sub-ward population estimates using transparent, census-consistent methods.
 

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:

At present, there is a paucity of reliable data to inform population catchment analysis at sub-ward level for health, education, protection, and other essential services, as well as limited availability of endorsed indicators at municipality level to support prioritization, humanitarian anticipation, planning, and implementation. This consultancy will generate municipality-level population and development indicators and sub-ward population estimates using transparent, census-consistent methods to address these gaps.

A core focus of the assignment is knowledge transfer and institutionalization. The consultancy will place strong emphasis on training and hands-on capacity strengthening of the National Statistics Office (NSO), UNFPA staff, and representatives from relevant line ministries, with the objective that these institutions are able to independently update and produce SAE-based estimates and geospatial population products on an annual basis or as required.

In parallel, the assignment will strengthen validation, government ownership, and pathways for endorsement of SAE-based outputs, recognising sensitivities around model-based estimates in Nepal. The resulting indicators, maps, and vulnerability assessments will be designed primarily for planning, prioritization, preparedness, and humanitarian response, with clearly documented assumptions and limitations.
 

You would be responsible for:

Within the framework of this consultancy, the consultant will undertake the following activities:

1. Review and assess existing SAE models developed using NDHS 2022 and Census 2021, and propose refinements where required.
2. Produce municipality-level estimates for selected UNFPA-mandate indicators where official statistics are currently available only at national or provincial level.
3. Acquire, assess, and process geospatial data to support sub-ward population estimation and dasymetric mapping at 100m x 100m resolution.
4. Develop vulnerability indicators and typologies using census-based socio-demographic and housing variables, including wall type, roof type, ceiling type, and construction materials.
5. Integrate population, vulnerability, and relevant hazard or accessibility layers to support humanitarian planning and response.
6. Design and deliver structured training programmes, including hands-on technical sessions, for NSO, UNFPA staff, and representatives from relevant ministries on SAE and geospatial population modelling workflows.
7. Backstop participants from the training to produce estimates for select indicators after the training.
8. Develop reproducible analytical workflows, documentation, and code repositories to enable annual or on-demand production of SAE estimates by national institutions.
9. Collaborate with UNFPA, NSO, and partners to design and apply validation and plausibility-checking strategies for SAE and geospatial outputs.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in demography, statistics, geography, data science, or a related field.
   

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Demonstrated 5 years of expertise in advanced statistical analysis and modeling. Expertise on Small Area Estimation techniques and spatial statistical modelling will be an advantage.
• Strong experience with Bayesian or hierarchical modelling frameworks, or other relevant small area estimation and spatial statistical frameworks, including GIS-based population disaggregation.
• Proven experience working with census, DHS, and geospatial datasets in developing country contexts.
• Proficiency in relevant statistical software and GIS software.
• Experience engaging with government statistical offices and supporting capacity strengthening.
• Prior experience in Nepal or similar contexts is an asset.
• Excellent report writing skills in English.

Languages: 

• Fluent in written and spoken English and Nepali.

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.

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.