Programme Assistant (Population and Development)

Mission and objectives

Our Mandate The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the UN's reproductive health agency dealing with population issues and it is responsible for expanding the possibilities for women and young people to lead a healthy sexual and reproductive life. UNFPA works to accelerate universal access to sexual and reproductive health, including voluntary family planning and safe motherhood; and seeks the realization of rights and opportunities for young people. UNFPA is present in more than 150 countries, improving people's lives as a catalyst for action and advocacy of their issues. Acting through alliances and partnerships with governments, other UN agencies, civil society and the private sector, UNFPA makes a positive difference for billions of people, especially those most in need. UNFPA also helps countries use population data to anticipate future challenges; offers technical assistance that strengthens and empowers its partners; supports policy formulation and national capacity-building, ensuring that reproductive health and the rights of women and young people remain central issues in the development agenda. UNFPA is making progress - fewer women are dying during childbirth, more unwanted pregnancies are being avoided, and younger women are having their opportunities expanded. But it is necessary to expand these efforts so that we can reach a healthy and fair world. UNFPA - Creating a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Context

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 focuses on three transformative results: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. In Mozambique, UNFPA works closely with government partners to strengthen data systems, support sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and integrate population dynamics into national development strategies. The Population and Development (P&D) Unit at the UNFPA Mozambique Country Office provides critical technical support to national institutions to generate, analyze, and utilize high-quality population census and demographic data. This role is strategically positioned to support the intersection of humanitarian, peace, and development contexts, with a particular focus on data interoperability and digital visualization tools (dashboards) to track durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable groups.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Specialist - Population and Development (P&D) Team Lead at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Mozambique, the national United Nations Volunteer (UNV) will perform the following tasks: Population Data Management and P&D Unit Support - Assist the P&D unit in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing broad population data, census datasets, and demographic health surveys to track emerging socio-demographic trends. - Contribute to drafting comprehensive population profiles, thematic reports, policy briefs, and monitoring materials aligned with the UNFPA 2026-2029 Strategic Plan. - Participate in data validation and monitoring exercises led by the P&D unit to support evidence-based policy advocacy and program design. Digital Dashboard and Interoperability Support - Support the technical design, development, and maintenance of user-friendly digital dashboards to track durable solutions for internally displaced persons (IDPs). - Contribute to integrating diverse data sources (e.g., humanitarian assessments, partner datasets, national statistics) into centralized dashboard systems to improve data interoperability. Capacity Building and Partner Coordination - Assist in preparing learning materials and conducting orientation sessions for the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD), and National Institute for Disaster Management (INGD) staff on utilizing digital dashboards and analytical data tools. - Support the coordination of data-focused working groups among government, UN agencies, and civil society partners. - Participate in multi-stakeholder workshops and coordination meetings, ensuring minutes, action points, and data-sharing updates are systematically documented. Support for the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Mandate and Volunteerism - Promote volunteerism, encourage local youth engagement, and document personal insights and stories to showcase the impact of the UNV program. - Strengthen knowledge of the UNV mandate by reading relevant publications and actively participating in local UNV country activities.

Competencies and values

- Accountability - Adaptability and flexibility - Creativity - Judgement and decision-making - Planning and organizing - Professionalism - Self-management

Living conditions and remarks

Mozambique is located on the southeast coast of Africa. The country lies on the east coast of Southern Africa and borders the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Swaziland. The total area of Mozambique is 799 380 km square from North to South. The land borders have a length of 4,445 km, while the coastline measures 2,515 km. Monte Binga, culminating at 2,436 m over the Zimbabwe border, is the highest point of Mozambique. With a total population of roughly 34 million people, based on the 2017 census, Mozambique is a country where 73% of the population is under 30 years old. Portuguese is the official and business language, although English is also widely spoken in business and academic settings, particularly in the capital city of Maputo. There are 11 provinces, and a wide array of local languages spoken, including Shangane, Bitonga, Xitswa, Chope, Ronga, Elomwe, Chuabo, Sena, Shona, Ndau, Nyandja, Emakua, Kimwani and Chimakon. Mozambique's climate ranges from tropical and subtropical in the north and central regions to dry, semi-arid steppe and arid desert in the south. The hottest and wettest period occurs between December and February, with average daily temperatures ranging from 22°C to 30°C. The rainy season spans from October to April, while winters, from June to August, are mild with average daily temperatures between 13°C and 24°C. Maputo, the country's capital, serves as both its commercial and cultural hub. Housing in Maputo, which includes apartment sand houses, can be rented for $600 to $2,000 per month, depending on the amenities and size. Restaurant meals typically cost between $10 and $15. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travelers and must be obtained from the Mozambican Embassy prior to travelling. The metical is the local currency, and exchange rate stands at USD 1 equivalent to about 64.25 meticais (MZM) as per February 2026. Commercial banks are operational in the country and Visa cards are accepted in very limited hotels. Maputo is categorized as a family duty station offering a variety of different accommodation options. It has a vibrant international community whilst also providing excellent opportunities to work in a national, Mozambican context.