An international consultant for the project on supporting evidence to inform policy outcomes

Information Management

Overview

Support implementation of the Data 4 Health Initiative project.

You have:

• Advanced degree in statistics, demography or related fields, preference for doctorate or equivalent.
• A minimum of 7 years of work experience on CRVS related issues, public administration, public health, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience in getting evidence used by policymakers.

Result of Service The project builds government capacity to use data for policy and ensure that existing data, as well as data improved through the project, is well-analyzed and synthesized in user-friendly formats that respond to decisionmakers’ needs. The aim of the project is to ensure that the evidence generated is used to inform and improve policies and programmes, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations

Work Location Home base

Expected duration 13 Feb-30 Sep 2023

Duties and Responsibilities The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development emphasizes the inclusive and sustainable future for all with a focus on leaving no one behind. A well-functioning civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system helps ensure that every person has a legal identity which facilitates access to the benefits and protections of the State. Further, robust CRVS systems are necessary to inform policy makers about the health and well-being of different populations, and to adequately allocate resources to serve populations for services such as education, health care, infrastructure and to provide social protection and other services administered at a local level. Without reliable vital statistics derived from civil registration, it is difficult to understand how fast a population is growing (or shrinking) and to anticipate its future needs, as well as monitor the health and well-being of different populations and gender differences if any, so that health interventions can be put in place accordingly. Death registration is critical to inform mortality patterns - who is dying where, at what age, and from what cause. Without this information, it is not possible to improve the health and longevity of a population. This is particularly important in humanitarian and emergency settings when conflict or natural disasters can increase mortality, and prevent delivery of interventions needed for good health such as clean water, nutrition, skilled birth attendants, vaccinations, etc. Death registration is also important to inform policies related to social security and inheritance, which can have gender inequity implications .

In this way, registering, recording, and providing documentation of life events enhances good government and sustainable development. However, despite continuous efforts, an estimated 64 million children under the age of five within Asia and the Pacific have not had their birth registered, and millions of other vital events, including deaths, have not been registered. As a result, countries in the region lack the data necessary to make informed policy decisions to improve health, access to financial services, education planning and other well-being outcomes of their populations.

Against this backdrop, ESCAP and Bloomberg Philanthropies collaborated to implement a project under the Data 4 Health Initiative entitled “Getting everyone in the picture: strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems in Asia and the Pacific.” With a goal of better public health and increased lives saved, the project supports governments to strategically use public health data to inform policy priorities. The project builds government capacity to use data for policy and ensure that existing data, as well as data improved through the project, is well-analyzed and synthesized in user-friendly formats that respond to decisionmakers’ needs. The aim of the project is to ensure that the evidence generated is used to inform and improve policies and programmes, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized populations.

In this connection ESCAP is seeking a consultant to support implementation of elements of the project as advised and supervised by the project manager. These activities will focus on delivering the following assignments.

Qualifications/special skills Advanced degree in statistics, demography or related fields, preference for doctorate or equivalent A minimum 7 years of work experience on CRVS related issues, public administration, public health, monitoring and evaluation, including experience in getting evidence used by policymakers

No Fee 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org