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Technical Adviser on Census, SRO UNFPA Jamaica

VACANCY NO: Job ID 2019

CLOSING DATE: 31 July 2012

POST TITLE: Technical Adviser on Census, SRO

CATEGORY: ICS-12 (P-5)

POST NUMBER: 35608

DUTY STATION: Kingston, Jamaica

POST TYPE: Non -Rotational

DURATION: One year (renewable)

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Latin America/ Caribbean Region


ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: The Technical Adviser On Census post is located in the Kingston Sub-regional office, and is under the overall supervision of the SRO Director, in consultation with the RO Director. S/he is the principal adviser at the regional level for integrated technical and programme advice in the area of census, from data collection to data utilization, with special attention to the subregional level. The Technical Adviser works in an integrated manner with the technical and programme staff in the RO and SRO.


JOB PURPOSE: The Technical Adviser post provides strategic technical and programmatic leadership for the Latin America and the Caribbean region, with special attention to the Caribbean subregion, in the area of expertise to ensure that COs remain abreast of the Fund’s policy and programme policies as well as current thinking and academic advance in the area of data for development, in particular census, affecting the ICPD Programme of Action. S/He maintains primary responsibility for coordination of provision of technical assistance and programme support to the countries in the area of data for development, in particular on census. S/he analyses continental as well as specific sub-regional/cluster trends and contributes to strategic action in response of these, contributing to the monitoring of UNFPA substantive areas being firmly placed within national development frameworks and programmes, including the achievement of the MDGs.

Responsibilities of the Technical Adviser include: to support the elaboration of the UNFPA strategic plan in the region; to identify new and emerging needs and new delivery modalities for technical guidance and support; to develop and maintain technical partnerships in the region; and, to ensure that technical knowledge is updated, generated, collected and disseminated for effective technical, capacity building and policy dialogue.

In all activities, s/he works within an inter-disciplinary team providing integrated programme and technical support to the subregion, and works in a coordinated manner with the Population and Development Adviser based in the RO. S/he also liaises with other units, such as the Programme and Technical Divisions and the UNFPA Technical network, ensuring the timeliness, adequacy, relevance and quality of technical support to UNFPA operations.


The primary roles of the Technical Adviser are:

A. Strategic technical development, monitoring and oversight, B. Quality control of the technical support and capacity development C. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination D. Management and coordination of knowledge networks E. Technical representation


MAJOR ACTIVITIES/EXPECTED RESULTS: WORK RELATIONS:

A. Strategic technical development, monitoring and oversight on data for development, in particular on censuses

Provide technical and related programme leadership, management advice and strategic support and guidance to the region, with special attention to the subregion, in the area of expertise, including for emergency preparedness, humanitarian assistance, recovery and transition in collaboration with technical and programme staff in the RO and SRO; Identify and provide analytical based advice, in the substantive area, on UNFPA’s comparative substantive role and specific contribution in the changing development agenda, and participate in policy dialogue; Contribute to the development and implementation of an integrated strategy for the delivery of technical assistance and programme support in the area of expertise; Contribute to the substantive elaboration of UNFPA Strategic Plan and Regional Programme and to its implementation; Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of regional population and development strategies in the sub-region; Contribute to data analysis on ICPD agenda and UNFPA´s priorities in the region and subregion; Scan the environment in the sub-region to identify tendencies in the area of expertise, and ensure that they are appropriately addressed at the regional and/or sub-regional levels; Identify requirements for and contribute to the development of new or updated policies, positioning, frameworks, guidance, standards, instruments and tools;
Participate in the UNFPA technical network in the substantive area, maintaining communication and feedback loops on all substantive work; and Coach and manage junior professional staff and associates, direct expert consultants and facilitate working groups and task teams.

B. Quality control of technical support and capacity development in the area of data for development, and in particular on censuses

Advise COs on the implementation and proper application of UNFPA policies, strategies, guidelines and tools on substantive matters in the sub-region, ensuring consistency and coherence in addressing priorities for UNFPA; Ensure that state-of-the-art thinking and research is integrated within the work of the country offices in the region; Review products of technical support at key stages of UNFPA, UN, and national development planning exercises, including advise the director on clearance for final draft CPDs; Analyze technical and programmatic and substantive reports from the field and recommend required follow-up actions; Organize or contribute to sub-regional and inter-country training activities in the substantive area for capacity development of COs/national/regional/subregional counterparts; Support the regional adaptation of training materials, manuals and tools in the substantive area and ensure their availability and promote their use for capacity development. Contribute to the development and implementation of a regional integrated technical delivery strategy to strengthen capacities in the region, and guide the management of this system; Support the development of (sub) regional institutional capacities for delivering high-quality technical support in select areas of UNFPA’s mandate; Monitor the quality of the technical support received at the country level, in the area of expertise, for effective policy dialogue and programming; Initiate, develop, strengthen and monitor substantive and intellectual regional partnerships in the substantive area, including for South-South technical support to countries and for the implementation of the regional programme;
Contribute to providing guidance to COs to include South-South Cooperation in the development of Country Programmes;
In coordination with South-South Cooperation officer in the RO, liaise with respective counterparts in TD and PD to identify opportunities for South-South cooperation in the region and with other regions.

C. Evidence and knowledge development and dissemination on data for development and in particular on censuses

Play a key role in building up, coordinating and monitoring the regional knowledge platform in their areas of expertise and competency, with special attention to the subregion; Contribute to developing a mechanism to share technical skills and knowledge within and among programme countries and/or other regions in the area of expertise; Facilitate and help maintain and make accessible data bases on best practices, partnerships and consultant rosters and help ensure their accessibility; Collect, analyze and synthesize information/data and experience on programme priorities to be used in regional and global advocacy; Lead the analysis and synthesis of substantive trends, emerging needs and research findings in the region in order to produce new, cutting edge technical knowledge; Prepare white papers, briefing and materials for evidence-based policy dialogues at regional and sub-regional level, provide similar support at the request of country offices; Disseminate and promote the use of state-of-the-art technical knowledge, evidence, lessons learned, and success stories and ensure their use to improve the effectiveness of UNFPA operations. Monitor and analyze reports on humanitarian, economic, political and social factors in development and management of population and development programmes; Collect, analyze and synthesize information/data and experience on programme priorities to be used in regional and global advocacy and for resource mobilization; Contribute to the advocacy efforts to advance the ICPD agenda and the attainment of MDG targets and indicators at the sub-regional level; and Contribute evidence-based and knowledge sharing in the area of work, and sub-regional experiences of working with UN-wide frameworks and instruments related to the new aid environment.

D. Management and coordination of knowledge networks on data for development and in particular on censuses

Coordinate overall provision of technical support to the country offices in the area of technical expertise; Develop and co-ordinate the substantive elements of partnerships and collaboration in the area of responsibility, with other UN agencies, including in the context of the UNDG, particularly with the sub-regional technical arms of these agencies, as well as with regional institutions; Identify sources of technical knowledge among institutions and consultants; and Establish and maintain relationships with institutions in the sub-region.

E. Technical representation

Represent UNFPA on substantive issues in the sub-region and elaborate UNFPA’s substantive regional and global perspectives in the area of expertise; Participate in policy dialogue, and advocate for substantive issues in international, inter-governmental, U.N., and other policy and technical meetings and fora; Collaborate on substantive issues with UN agencies, academia, research and training institutions, think tanks, centers of excellence, professional societies in the region; and Act as focal point for inter-agency working groups in the substantive area.

Carry out any other duties as may be requested by the SRO Director and by Office of the Regional Director.


Work Relations

External partners include UN agencies, particularly ECLAC/CELADE, including their regional teams; regional and international organizations and counterparts on substantive issues including Centers of Excellence, IGOs, Economic Commissions, NGOs, Academia, and Research Institutions, professional associations, and international experts, in developing a wider network of technical experts and institutions in the region to provide technical support to countries.

Internal partners include Regional and sub-regional programme and technical staff; UNFPA country offices programme and technical staff; Programme and Technical Divisions; and the UNFPA technical network, in ensuring integrated programme and technical support in line with the needs of countries.


JOB REQUIREMENTS: Education:

Post-graduate degree, with specialization in demography, population and development, statistics, or a related subject.


Knowledge and Experience:

10 years of increasingly responsible professional practical experience in demographic analysis and research methodology and at least some experience in working with censuses in Latin America and in the Caribbean region. Broad experience in all areas of population data gathering, analysis, and use. Knowledge of sampling techniques required. Requires an extensive understanding of the use of data in advocacy, programme design, and evaluation and of institutional arrangements in the data field. Extensive experience with research methodology, demographic software, microcomputers, and techniques for census data entry and analysis. At least five years’ experience in advising other countries on population data collection and analysis, preferably in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Knowledge and understanding of population issues and the relationships between population and development. Familiarity with UN development programmes and working methods and particularly with UNFPA policies and programming procedures is desirable. Strong track record of technical leadership, and proven ability to produce demonstrable results Strong verbal and written communications skills in English and Spanish; Demonstrated ability to network within the academic and development community; Familiarity with management and monitoring tools is desirable; Field experience is strongly desirable.


CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Values/Guiding Principles • Developing People • Personal Leadership and Effectiveness • Building and Managing Relationships


FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

Developing and implementing conceptually innovative approaches to the provision of technical expertise - conceptual innovation; Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners, and building strategic alliances and partnerships - building strategic partnerships; Job knowledge / technical expertise - expert knowledge of own discipline; Adaptation and application of knowledge / innovations in different contexts; Integration in a multidisciplinary environment.


Other Desirable Skills:

Initiative, strong conceptual abilities, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.

We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position. The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.


How to apply:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy.

Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc.

Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

UNFPA reserves the right to appoint prior to closing date.

APPLY AT: http://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc