The Technical Specialist, Health and Social Inequalities reports to the Technical Advisor, Demogrpaher, of the Population and Development Branch, Technical Division. S/he will provide overall technical expertise in the analysis of population disparities in health and related development outcomes, reporting on demographic, socio-economic, spatial, gender and other disparities in the fulfillment of the ICPD Programme of Action, and key Sustainable Development Goals.  S/he will work in a collaborative setting, supporting a systems-strengthening approach to excellence in policy-relevant population analysis for UNFPA.

Job Purpose

Recognizing that aggregate gains in development and health mask numerous inequalities, and noting the commitment of the new Sustainable Development Goals to “leave no one behind”, UNFPA seeks an innovative analyst who will support UNFPA in monitoring global, national and sub-national population and health inequalities. The Technical Specialist will provide strategic analytic support to UNFPA on the descriptive analysis of policy-relevant population and health inequalities, their trends, and determining factors, to support policy and programming services in UNFPA country and regional offices. S/he will collaborate with UNFPA specialists in geo-spatial analysis, contributing to integrated mapping of population vulnerabilities to guide programming investments and interventions, and monitor the redressing of health inequalities at country level. S/he will work closely with the UNFPA Agenda 2030 team to support the ICPD Beyond 2014 Monitoring Framework, and the monitoring of SDG indicators at global, thematic and national level, and support capacity development at national level for generating and using development indicators on inequality for national planning and investment.

S/he will support the UNFPA Working Group on the demographic dividend, developing substantive approaches, products and tools on population inequalities in empowerment, education and employment, to inform UNFPA policies and programmes at national and sub-national level.   Key population indicators of interest will vary over time, drawing on the thematic concerns of UNFPA and responding to policy demands for evidence, on topics ranging from access to sexual and reproductive health services, child marriage, FGM, HIV/AIDS, fulfillment of reproductive rights, the changing composition of households, exposure to discrimination and violence, the demography of urbanization and population mobility, youth empowerment and employment, vulnerability to humanitarian crisis and climate change, and the realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The Technical Specialist will work closely with the Population and Development team within the Technical Division, with colleagues across the Technical Division, and UNFPA analysts, programme and policy specialists in regional and country offices. S/he will provide intellectual leadership on key trends and root causes of inequalities affecting UNFPA’s core areas of work, and strategies for capacity strengthening to national statistical offices and other national and regional partners on policy-relevant analysis of inequalities.

The Primary roles of the Technical Specialist are:

Capacity Development and Knowledge Management
Partnerships and Representation

Education:

Advanced university degree or equivalent (i.e. preferably a doctorate) in demography, sociology, population studies, geography, public health, statistics, or economics with a special emphasis on population inequalities in health and development.

Knowledge and Experience:

•     7 years of professional research experience addressing policy-relevant population inequalities in health and development;

•     Prior professional engagement in 1 or 2 of the following areas is desirable: sexual and reproductive health, including HIV/AIDS, and related health care services; reproductive rights; migration and/or urbanization; changing structure of households; population ageing; population and humanitarian crises and /or climate change; gender equality and women's empowernment.

•     Understanding of the human rights dimensions of population and development;

•     Strong quantitative and analytic skills;

•     Strong track record of technical leadership and proven ability to produce demonstrable results;

•     Networks within the development and academic community;

•     Experience in policy development an asset;

•     Experience in developing countries highly desirable.

Excellent writing skills.
Languages: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

Other Desirable Skills: Initiative, ability to think analytically and strategically, strong conceptual abilities, knowledge and use of ICT, sound judgment, ability to work in teamsstrong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.