The position is located in the Demographic Analysis Section of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Senior Population Affairs Officer reports to the Chief of the Population Trends and Analysis Branch. More information is available at https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/.
Within delegated authority, the duties of the Senior Population Affairs Officer encompass the following:
• Provides policy guidance to the Chief of Branch and Director of the Division on the conceptual and strategic development and management of the part of the Division’s substantive work programme assigned to the Section.
• Has major responsibility for the formulation, organization and management of the Section’s substantive work programme on population issues; reports thereon to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Commission on Population and Development, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and the regional commissions.
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work required to prepare population estimates and projections. This task includes undertaking the development or improvement of methods for the preparation of population estimates and projections.
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work required to produce studies on population levels and trends or population policies in relation to social and economic factors. Such studies can focus on specific population issues, such as fertility; family planning; internal or international migration; urbanization; mortality; population structure and composition; population ageing; population policies; population, environment and development; HIV/AIDS; and population trends and economic growth.
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work involved in undertaking methodological studies concerning the components of population change and their estimation. Develops or adapts methodology as required.
• Leads and supervises the development and maintenance of databases containing demographic indicators, population and development indicators, population policy information and indicators or information on other population-related issues. Cooperates in the development and design of appropriate software for the efficient use and management of such databases.
• Carries out the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, reporting on programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Provides guidance and training for staff under his/her supervision. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section. Ensures that staff follow appropriate standards in the preparation of reports and other outputs.
• Leads and supervises the organization of expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on population-related issues. Is responsible for the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Participates in international, regional or national meetings to present the results of research; provides substantive expertise on an issue, or holds substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Represents the Population Division at international, regional or national meetings.
• Leads, supervises and provides support to technical cooperation projects in the area of population and development.
• Prepares research proposals for external funding on population issues.
• Prepares briefing notes on population and development issues for Branch Chief/Director and other senior staff in the United Nations. Prepares press releases and provides information to the press and media, as necessary.
• Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the area of specialization of the post. Proven in-depth knowledge of methods of demographic analysis and theories pertaining to demographic change and demographic trends. Proven 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.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.
• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in demography, or in a related field such as sociology, statistics or economics with an emphasis in population studies is required. A first-level university degree or a degree in another field, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree or a degree in one of the fields mentioned above.
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in population analysis and research or a related area is required.
Experience in developing and applying methods for the estimation, projection or analysis of population trends, including trends in mortality, fertility or international migration, is required.
Experience in programming computer applications relevant to the analysis of demographic data, particularly in R or SQL, is desirable.
A record of technical publications demonstrating mastery of methods of demographic analysis is desirable.
Experience in leading teams or coordinating projects involving the preparation, processing or analysis of demographic data is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.