International Consultant: Develop Population Policy, Iraq, Erbil

The development of the population policy for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has evolved through a period of profound transformation and resilience. While an initial strategic framework was established in 2016 to align regional dynamics with long-term development goals, the subsequent years brought unprecedented challenges that fundamentally altered the region's demographic landscape. The rise of the ISIS insurgency led to massive displacement and a humanitarian crisis, which was quickly followed by the global socio-economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events left previous data and projections outdated, highlighting a critical gap in evidence-based planning. With the successful completion of the 2024 General Population and Housing Census, the Ministry of Planning, supported by the UNFPA 2025–2029 Country Program, is now positioned to build upon newly generated, high-quality data. This amended policy aims to bridge the gap between historical challenges and future priorities, ensuring that regional planning is strategically aligned with the current realities of health, social, and economic dynamics in a post-crisis period.

The International consultant will work under the supervision of Deputy Representative and technical administrative support from Gender & PD Programme Analysts at Erbil office for UNFPA and under the technical supervision of the KR-MOP, and with close coordination with other team leaders of UNFPA to cover all work theme.
 

NFPA 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 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 of this consultancy is to lead the development of the final population policy for the Kurdistan Region by executing the following strategic tasks:
 

The International consultant will require to finalize the document in both languages English and Arabic.

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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.

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.