Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Fertility and Population Ageing Section of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Population Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Population Affairs Officer in the Section. More information is available at https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the duties of the Population Affairs Officer encompass the following:
- Provides substantive support on population issues to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Commission on Population and Development, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly or the regional commissions. This activity includes preparing reports or inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies, attending meetings, preparing summary reports on meetings, assisting in the organization of panels or round tables;
- Develops and maintains databases on demographic indicators, population and development indicators, population policy information and indicators or information on other population-related issues. Programs and oversees the development of appropriate software for the efficient use and management of data in databases;
- Designs and carries out technical studies on population trends, population policies and their relations to social and economic factors in specific topical areas such as fertility; family planning; internal and international migration; urbanization; health and mortality; population structure and composition; population ageing; population, environment and development. Writes substantive reports on the results of the studies carried out;
- Applies, adapts and, if necessary develops methodologies for demographic analysis and prepares population estimates and projections. Develops the tools for the appropriate implementation of methodology. Programming experience is necessary to perform this task, as is solid background in statistics or mathematics;
- Assists in carrying out administrative tasks including interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates, preparation of budgets, reporting on programme performance, preparation of input for results-based budgeting;
- Assists in providing supervision and guidance to more junior staff;
- Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on population-related issues;
- Attends international, regional or national meetings on population issues to present results of demographic analysis and research; keeps abreast of developments in the field, gathers information, networks and holds discussions on population issues with colleagues in other institutions;
- Represents the Population Division at international, regional or national meetings;
- Provides technical support to technical cooperation projects in the area of population and development;
- Assists in the preparation of research proposals for external funding on population issues;
- Prepares briefing notes or press releases on population and development issues for use by senior staff, other offices and departments of the United Nations, and the media.
- Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback;
- Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit;
- Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services;
- Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of methods of demographic analysis and theories pertaining to demographic change and population trends. Ability to produce reports and technical papers on population issues, preferably including own-name publications in technical journals or other scientific publications. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management;
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
- Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in demography or in sociology, statistics, economics or related field with an emphasis on demography is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in population analysis and research or related area is required. Two or more years of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in research on fertility and family planning is desirable. Experience in research on population ageing is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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