International Consultant: Development of In-Depth Analysis Census Results, Erbil, Iraq

The United Nations Population Fund Iraq Country office in coordination with the Government of Iraq statistical commissions at both the Federal and Kurdistan Regional levels successfully conducted a National Population and Housing census in 2024, marking a major milestone since the last unitary Census 37 years ago.

The census enabled Iraq to generate data on several core topics:

• Socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, household headship, nationality and religion). 
• Household member characteristics (migration and disability status; education and work; marital status and fertility); 
• Housing characteristics and ration card information. 
• Mortality in the past 12 months; and 
• Ownership of durable goods. 

The Federal and Kurdistan Regional Statistical Commissions are keen to ensure the census results are analyzed, published and properly disseminated to optimize their use for policy and programs for at least two reasons:

First: population censuses are such costly ventures that most countries can only afford in ten-year intervals.

Second: their content has increased in length and complexity over the years mainly due to the development of new technologies, improvements in human capacity and increasing needs for data for development planning thereby increasing the range of users of information generated from censuses and with this the expectations on the type and level of disaggregation of the analyses.

The proposed census thematic analysis is aimed at further analysis of the 2024 Population and Housing Census data with a view to broadening the country’s understanding of the observed levels and trends in key components of the population and responding to the needs of data users.

The analysis will include, among other things:

• Comparison with other surveys, previous censuses and other countries. 
• Spatial variations; and 
• Trend analysis of various indicators. 

The analysis will be demand-driven by inquiring from and involving the users throughout the process. United Nations Population Fund seeks to engage One international expert to work with One Lead National Consultant and teams of statisticians from Kurdistan Region of Iraq, subject matter persons from government and other stakeholder organizations, to develop three thematic analytical products from the census aligned with user needs.

The International consultant will work under the supervision of Regional Population and Development Advisor and technical administrative support from Gender & PD Programme Analyst at Erbil office for UNFPA, and with close coordination with other team leaders of UNFPA to cover all work theme.

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Working as teams of statisticians from Kurdistan Region of Iraq and subject matter persons from government and other stakeholder organizations, the Census Analysis Team will perform the following tasks under the guidance and leadership of an international expert and Lead National Consultant, who will be experts in their respective fields.  

• Provide overall guidance to the national experts to develop the methodology of analysis as well as contributing to the data analysis through close cooperation and coordination with national experts 
• In coordination with the lead national expert, provide advice on optimal team composition and thematic assignments to ensure the necessary competencies in data analysis, GIS and subject-matter expertise are available for the production of high quality thematic analytical products. 
• In coordination with the lead national consultant, design and conduct online training sessions on thematic analysis of the selected topics for the  analysis team members . The training will cover selected thematic analysis topics and related products, and will  address key elements of thematic analysis, including but not limited to:: i) the purpose and objectives of  the identified thematic analysis topics and products; ii) an outline of thematic analytical reports and products; iii) data processing, indicator identification and classification for related topics; iv) data evaluation and analysis, core tabulations and cross-tabulations; v) integration of geographic information systems (GIS) into data analysis, presentation and interpretation; vi) validation of thematic analytical reports and products; and vi) dissemination and use of thematic analysis reports and products in policy and programs.         
• Develop a calendar/timeline to produce thematic analytical products in consultation with Kurdistan Regional Statistics Office (KRSO), UNFPA and lead national consultants. 
• Based on the calendar, organize virtual individual meetings with each of the analysis teams in coordination with leading national consultants, to assess their progress in the analysis and drafting of reports and address any challenges faced. 
• Supervise the analysis teams under the lead national consultant to ensure adherence to the agreed standards and timelines.   
• In collaboration with the lead national consultant and KRSO, organize internal and external validation of the thematic reports and products (i.e. prepare the agenda and the tools for the evaluation of thematic reports and facilitate plenary and workgroup sessions).
• Review and provide quality assurance for the draft and final thematic analytical reports and products. 
• Perform any other related tasks assigned to him/her.

The consultancy will be done during a performance period spread over five months (a total of 30 working days) from the date of the contract signature as follows:

• An inception thematic analysis online workshop with the analysis team and tabulation plan for the identified thematic topics: 10 days
• Three draft thematic analysis reports: 10 days
• Three final thematic analysis reports validated by stakeholders : 10 days

The payment schedule will be as follows:

• The first installment (50%) will be disbursed upon completion and submission of three  draft thematic analysis reports. 

• The second and final installment will be disbursed upon submission of three final stakeholder-validated thematic analysis reports.

The expected output/ deliverables are as follows:

Inception report detailing the approach to the assignment, recommendations on the three thematic reports/products to be developed based on the census questionnaire, other data sources and information on user needs. 

• A tabulation plan for the assigned thematic area.
• Three draft thematic analysis reports.
• Three final stakeholder-validated thematic analysis reports. 

• The International consultant will work for the team of Erbil remotely and if required in person. 
• The international consultant is expected to travel to have at least one trip to the country at the beginning of the exercise during the training delivery session.  
• The assignment will have following:
  • Weekly reports and reviews.
  • Progress reports on the development thematic analysis reports/products

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree) in Demography, Statistics, Economics or other Social Sciences. Experience in census thematic analysis across multiple core topics.

• 5 years of relevant and proven professional experience in demography, statistical research and data analysis. Experience in census undertaking and/or large-scale household surveys.
• Extensive work experience in demographic techniques and familiarity with demographic issues in Iraq and the region
• Experience in providing on-the-job training to national counterparts in census or national survey data analysis and report writing.
• Sound knowledge of Statistical and demographic analysis software such as CSPRO, IMPS, SPSS, STATA, Spectrum, DAPPS, MortPak, Spectrum, DAPPs, Python, R-Studio, Advanced Excel, …
• Excellent communication, analytical, report writing and presentation skills in English.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work

• Fluent in written and spoken in English is required , with knowledge in Arabic is desired.

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

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.