Census Technical Expert Consultant

The background information and the Job:

The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, through the Central Statistical Office, (CSO) under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development is currently preparing to undertake the 2027 Population and Housing eCensus (PHC). This will be Eswatini’s second digital census, following the one undertaken in 2017. The census will provide critical data for national development planning, monitoring of the national development plan (NDP), the Sustainable Development Goals, and other national, regional, and international commitments.

UNFPA Eswatini in collaboration with the Government of Eswatini (GoE) is recruiting an international consultant to support the 2027 Population and Housing eCensus (PHC).

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.

The Purpose / Objectives of the Job 

• The overall purpose of this consultancy is to provide high level expertise to the Government of Eswatini (GoE) to ensure effective, timely and high-quality conduct of the 2027 PHC in line with International Standards and best practices. 
• The consultancy also aims to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the CSO, particularly in census planning, coordination, and execution. 

Management and the Organization

The consultant shall work under the overall guidance of the Director- Central Statistical Office of the Ministry of the Economic Planning and Development in collaboration with the Census Management team and the direct technical supervision/guidance of the UNFPA Strategic Information Specialist, with oversight of the UNFPA Head of Office or Officer in Charge to contribute substantively to the effective planning, management and preparatory processes of the 2027 PHC including development of data collection instruments such as the questionnaire and other tools. The consultant will be based in Eswatini for the duration of the assignment.

Scope of work

The consultant will provide strategic and technical support across the census preparatory phase, in line with UNFPA standards, Government procedures, and development partner requirements. The consultant will ensure continuous engagement with key stakeholders and provide regular progress updates.

Roles and responsibilities / Description of tasks 

Working under the leadership of the UNFPA Head of Office/Officer-In-Charge, in collaboration with the Country Office and under the direct supervision of the Director of the Central Statistical Office, the Consultant will:

• Review and assess progress on the census preparatory processes, including the cartographic mapping and household listing and provide technical recommendations for improvement. 
• Coordinate and strengthen overall preparatory processes for the 2027 PHC,
• Facilitate the refinement and finalisation of the detailed census workplan and budget and support its timely implementation.
• Provide technical leadership in the design of the questionnaire, and development of training materials such as manuals.
• Lead the undertaking of the pilot census, including data analysis, report preparation, and integration of findings into census design. 
• Regularly assess implementation progress of the PHC activities and provide periodic reports and feedback to CSO and UNFPA.
• Contribute to the development of data analysis and tabulation plans. 
• Develop comprehensive training plans and ensure timely capacity-building of the personnel involved in field operations k, data processing, and analysis.
• Support resource mobilization efforts through preparation of technical and advocacy documents.
• Coordinate and promote census awareness and sensitization activities.
• Support the establishment and coordination of various census governance structures/committees at national and subnational levels.
• Prepare monthly written progress reports outlining implementation status, achievements, challenges, and actionable recommendations.
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by CSO related to the PHC.

Deliverables of the assignment

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception Report outlining the methodology, workplan, and timeline.
• Strengthened preparedness of the 2027 PHC ensuring adherence to international standards.
• Strengthened institutional capacity of the Central Statistical Office
• Improved coordination among stakeholders and partners

 Duration of the consultancy:

The duration of the consultancy will be for six months initially (starting in July/August – January/ February 2027) with a possibility of an extension for another 6 months based on performance.

Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge

The Consultant must have: 

• Advanced degree in Demography or Population Studies at master’s level or above.
• At least 10 years professional experience in the field of social and demographic data collection, processing, and analysis, preferably in a Sub-Saharan African country.
• He/She must have participated in the planning and the implementation of at least 3 censuses including one digital population and housing census in a Sub-Saharan African country.
• Proficiency in current office software applications and excellent proficiency in at least one current data-processing and analysis software.

Languages: 

• Proficient in oral and written English

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,

Functional Competencies:

• Capacity building for Central Statistic Office officers
• Technological integration of the digital data collection tools, GIS systems, and the data base / server
• Risk management

 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 [link removed] 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.