Demographer Consultant

UNFPA, the UN reproductive health and rights agency, aims to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights [SRHR] for all by ending unmet need for family planning, ending maternal death, and ending violence and harmful practices against women and girls. UNFPA has been the lead United Nations agency for reproductive health commodity security and the largest multilateral supplier of contraceptives and condoms.

UNFPA’s Strategic Plan (2026–2029) charts a roadmap for resilience and renewal, reaffirming  the organization’s  commitment to  ensuring  universal access  to sexual and reproductive health, realizing reproductive rights for all, and accelerating the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action. The Plan focuses on four interconnected outcomes: to accelerate progress  on  meeting the  unmet  need for  family planning; end preventable maternal deaths; end gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapt to demographic change through evidence- and rights-based policies.

In Afghanistan, UNFPA’s work supports national efforts to strengthen resilient and equitable health systems and ensure continuity of quality maternal and reproductive health services for women and girls. Guided by the principles of partnership, respect and accountability, we seek  dedicated and  ethical  professionals who  embody these values and contribute to sustainable results. Without the right products, even the best health programmes cannot succeed. Hence, UNFPA is seeking candidates who can transform, inspire and deliver high-impact,  sustained results  —  professionals who  are transparent, accountable, and committed  to ensuring  the  reliable availability  of  reproductive health commodities and supplies throughout the country.

Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA Afghanistan is implementing a population estimation and projection exercise for Afghanistan, applying the Cohort Component Method (CCM) at the national level, with provincial and district level population estimates derived through structured prorating, in the absence of a comprehensive population census since 1979.

This assignment is delivered by a three-person consulting team comprising two senior Demographers (recruited under separate Terms of Reference) and one Assistant Demographer (Data Processing and Cleaning). The purpose of this consultancy is to recruit the Assistant Demographer, who will work under the direct supervision of the two senior Demographers to provide dedicated support for dataset compilation, data cleaning, harmonization, and preparation of analytical inputs, thereby enabling the senior Demographers to focus on the analytical and methodological components of the assignment.

You would be responsible for: 

Under the direct supervision and technical guidance of the two senior Demographers, the Demographer will perform the following tasks:

Key Tasks

• Compile and systematically organize all demographic and statistical datasets identified in the data inventory, including survey microdata from MICS 2022–23, ALCS 2016–17, AHS 2018, and the Afghanistan Mortality Survey 2010, as well as administrative data from HMIS, UNHCR, IOM DTM, and UN WPP, maintaining a structured and version-controlled data repository throughout the assignment.
• Clean and prepare survey microdata for demographic analysis, including handling of missing values, recording and standardization of variables, and harmonization of geographic identifiers to OCHA P-code standards across all datasets.
• Apply data quality assessment procedures as directed by the senior Demographers, including computation of age heaping indices (Whipple’s Index, Myers’ Blended Index), generation of age-sex distribution diagnostics, and preparation of data quality summary tables for the Month 2 data inventory report.
• Prepare cleaned and harmonized datasets in the input formats required for CCM estimation in Spectrum DemProj and PAS, and for parallel Excel-based modelling, under the technical specification of the senior Demographers.
• Execute preparatory computations in R and/or STATA as directed, including tabulation of age-sex distributions, computation of basic demographic rates, construction of input files for life table estimation, and preparation of provincial and district prorating share tables from auxiliary data sources.
• Maintain a structured and complete data processing log documenting all cleaning decisions, variable transformations, imputation procedures applied, and dataset version histories, ensuring full traceability of all inputs entering the analytical pipeline.
• Prepare draft data tables, population pyramids, charts, and formatted output files for review and finalization by the senior Demographers.
• Support the preparation of metadata documentation in accordance with DDI standards under the direction of the senior Demographers.
• Provide logistical and coordination support for data collection activities, stakeholder consultations, and technical workshops organized under this assignment, including preparation of meeting materials and documentation of proceedings.

Deliverables: 

• 1 - 31 Aug 2026 (16 working days): Support set-up of the data inventory framework; assist in compiling an initial list of available datasets and sources.
• 1 - 30 Sep 2026 (16 working days): Lead the compilation of the data inventory; prepare data quality summary tables and dataset metadata under guidance of the senior Demographers.
• 1 - 31 Oct 2026 (16 working days): Clean and harmonize survey microdata; standardize geographic identifiers to P-code level; maintain the data processing log.
• 1 - 30 Nov 2026 (16 working days): Prepare input files for fertility and mortality estimation; compute basic age-sex tabulations; support life table input preparation.
• 1 - 31 Dec 2026 (16 working days): Prepare provincial and district prorating share tables from auxiliary data; support compilation of migration data from UNHCR, IOM, and administrative sources.
• 1 - 31 Jan 2027 (16 working days): Prepare formatted input files for Spectrum DemProj, PAS, and the Excel-based CCM; assist with preliminary computations under guidance.
• 1 - 28 Feb 2027 (16 working days): Compute age-sex accuracy diagnostics (Whipple’s Index, Myers’ Blended Index, joint score index); prepare draft indicator tables.
• 1 - 31 Mar 2027 (16 working days): Support preparation of materials for the technical validation workshop; assist with sensitivity analysis computations as directed.
• 1 - 31 Apr 2027 (16 working days): Prepare draft tables, charts, and population pyramids for review by the senior Demographers.
• 1 - 31 May 2027 (16 working days): Support DDI metadata documentation; compile the data processing log into a technical annex.
• 1 - 30 June 2027 (16 working days): Support finalization of dissemination outputs and the formal handover of datasets, code, and documentation.

The Demographer’s deliverables are connected to the senior demographers’ deliverables. Therefore, s/he provides full support to senior demographers. 

All outputs are fed into, and are reviewed as part of, the monthly deliverables submitted by the senior Demographers under their Terms of Reference.

• A master’s degree in statistics, economics, mathematics, or a closely related quantitative field with required work experience; or a bachelor’s degree in statistics, economics, mathematics, or closely related quantitative field with at least two years of work experience in lieu of a master's degree. 

Technical Skills

Demonstrated proficiency in at least one statistical software package, preferably R or STATA. Experience working with survey microdata, including understanding of sampling weights and survey design variables. Competency in Microsoft Excel for data management and tabulation. Basic familiarity with demographic concepts and indicators is an advantage. Familiarity with geographic data management and OCHA P-code systems is desirable.

Data Access Facilitation

UNFPA shall facilitate the Demographer’s access, through the senior Demographers, to the available datasets and data repositories required for assigned data processing and cleaning tasks, consistent with the data access arrangements established under the main Terms of Reference.

Software and Tools

UNFPA shall provide or fund access to the statistical software required for the Assistant Demographer’s tasks, including R and/or STATA, and shall facilitate the Demographer’s access to Spectrum and PAS input/output files as required to prepare data for the senior Demographers’ analysis.

Office and Administrative Support

UNFPA shall provide access to office space, equipment, and internet connectivity at the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office for the agreed coordination days per week.

Language Requirements

Good command of written and spoken English. Dari and Pashto are necessary as the working language in Afghanistan.

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g. support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:
 The consultant is expected to provide all necessary equipment to complete the assignment (computer, software, phone, etc).

UNFPA will provide all relevant background information and documentation regarding the regional and country contexts as well as relevant documents on the related position. 

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. 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 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.

UNFPA will only accept properly completed job application forms in Quantum before the closing date & will not consider late submissions after the closing date.

Any information provided on the Quantum job application form will be considered binding.

To Apply Click Here