The Position:
The Data Programme Specialist is part of the Population Dynamics, Data, and Policy unit at the UNFPA West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) and reports to the Unit Coordinator. This role is aligned with the Harmonization and Improvement of Statistics in West and Central Africa (HISWACA) project. The Specialist ensures that national census operations, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS), and socio-demographic surveys are conducted using standardized, high-quality methodologies that meet international standards and regional development goals. The Specialist takes an integrated approach to strengthen systems while adhering to the core values and strategic objectives of WCARO and UNFPA.

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 primary purpose of the Data Programme Specialist (P4) position is to coordinate the technical implementation of regional statistical harmonization and improvement projects across West and Central Africa. This role involves producing high-quality population data by developing harmonized methodological guides and providing specialized technical assistance to National Statistical Offices for censuses and CRVS systems. Additionally, the Specialist promotes data utilization to inform evidence-based policy dialogue and ensures rigorous monitoring and evaluation to maintain project quality, track key performance indicators, and comply with donor requirements.

You would be responsible for:

Role Description
In all activities s/he fosters collaboration within the West and Central Africa Regional Office, and with HQ and Country Offices, ensuring the timeliness, adequacy, relevance and quality of substantive outputs. The primary roles of the incumbent are:

• Technical support
• Capacity development
• Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination
• Technical representation

Key responsibilities

1. Technical Coordination & Harmonization

• Methodological Development: Lead the creation and adaptation of practical guides for census management, digital cartography, data cleaning, and geospatial population modeling.
• Standardization: Align regional statistical production with the Strategy for the Harmonization of Statistics in Africa (SHaSA) to ensure data comparability across the CEMAC and ECOWAS zones.
• Innovation: Oversee the integration of new technologies (GIS, satellite imagery, and mobile data collection) into traditional census and CRVS frameworks.

2. Capacity Strengthening & Country Support

• Support census, CRVS and surveys activities, including field enumeration, post-enumeration surveys, and annual vital statistics generation, collaborating with technical consultants and Chief Technical Advisors.
• Organize technical meetings and learning events, including eLearning sessions and in-person seminars, on census and survey design, implementation, and data use for development planning.
• Coordinate GIS capacity strengthening for UNFPA census and survey initiatives in conjunction with HQ and Country Offices.
• Maintain the global database of consultants for technical assistance to National Statistical Offices and provide editorial support for census and survey publications.

3. Data Utilization & Policy Advocacy

• Evidence Generation: Support the Regional Initiative on the Centrality of Population (RICoP) by analyzing the interconnections between population dynamics, megatrends, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Stakeholder Engagement: Organize high-level policy dialogues and webinars to foster evidence-based planning and resource allocation among decision-makers.
• Digital Dissemination: Oversee the development and regular updating of national Population Data Portals and the UNFPA Census Tracker to ensure access to key demographic indicators, while also producing policy briefs and monographs.
• Research Monitoring: Stay updated on advancements in census, survey, and geospatial research, providing insights on their relevance to UNFPA programming and identifying statistical gaps.
• Support Initiatives: Monitor Strategic Plan indicators and actively contribute to ICPD-related initiatives, events, and knowledge products.

4. Project Management & Reporting

• Monitor Project Performance: Act as the primary focal point for project monitoring and evaluation, ensuring tracking of performance indicators and adherence to funding limits.
• Enhance Data Systems: Collaborate with key stakeholders to improve data systems and provide technical assistance to governments.
• Support Resource Mobilization: Assist WCARO leadership in resource mobilization efforts and serve as a liaison for inter-agency groups focused on census, survey, and geospatial data.
• Facilitate Technical Collaboration: Liaise with UN agencies, academia, and research institutions to address technical issues related to census, surveys, and geospatial data.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  An Advanced Degree in quantitative social sciences, e.g. demography, statistics, population
studies, economy, sociology, geography, data sciences or related field. PhD desirable.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in data systems, including at least 4 years at the international level with increasing technical and managerial responsibilities.
• Experience in managing or coordinating global programs or initiatives with deliverables across multiple countries and regions.
• Technical expertise in utilizing census and survey data for developmental purposes; familiarity with GIS and geospatial analysis of population data is advantageous.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English, with additional expertise in related areas of population and development research being desirable.

Advanced degree in health, population, demography and/or other related social science discipline.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required, while proficiency in French is desirable to facilitate effective communication with coordination groups and local organizations in both English-speaking and French-speaking countries within the West and Central Africa region.

Required Competencies: 

Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, 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.