Job description

Please note that this vacancy is open only to nationals of Afghanistan.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNFPA is committed to achieving gender balance and fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce.

The Position:

The Programme Specialist, Population and Data (PD) is a key position within the UNFPA Afghanistan Country Office. The position leads population research and data analysis to generate the evidence base required to address Afghanistan’s complex demographic challenges, including high fertility rates, a rapidly growing young population, widespread displacement, and significant data gaps resulting from decades of conflict and instability. The Programme Specialist oversees the design and implementation of population-related research initiatives, including surveys, censuses support, and demographic analyses, and ensures that data and findings are effectively translated into policy dialogue and programmatic action. The position contributes directly to UNFPA’s strategic objective of supporting evidence-based, rights-centred population policies in one of the world’s most challenging humanitarian and development contexts.

The position reports directly to the Deputy Representative.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Working within the Afghanistan Country Office (CO) of UNFPA, and embedded in the Population & Data Unit, you will lead the design, coordination, and implementation of population research programmes that generate timely, high-quality, and sex-disaggregated demographic data to inform national policies, humanitarian response planning, and UNFPA’s programmatic priorities. In a context where reliable population data remains critically scarce due to the absence of a national census since 1979, your work will be central to UNFPA’s mission and Afghanistan’s broader development agenda.

You will build and maintain strategic partnerships with government counterparts, statistical institutions, UN agencies, academic institutions, and international NGOs operating in Afghanistan to foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and strengthen national capacities for population data collection and analysis. You will effectively influence diverse stakeholders to contribute to achieving UNFPA’s mandate in Afghanistan.

You would be responsible for:

  • In collaboration with relevant counterparts of the local authorities, NGOs and other partners, overseeing the design and implementation of the country programme and its component projects, aligning with local priorities and UNFPA programme policies and procedures. 
  • Overseeing achievement of programme results by ensuring appropriate policies are applied and monitoring and oversight mechanisms are established and implemented.
  • Reviewing the population dynamics, political, social and economic environment relevant to UNFPA programme activities, and pursuing opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. 
  • Assessing implications of new policy developments and strategies on programme execution, and ensuring their integration.
  • Assisting UNFPA senior leadership in convening the inter-agency Data Work Group through preparation of relevant briefing notes, data information analysis and technical assistance as relevant. 
  • Overseeing project implementation; establishing partnerships with executing agencies, experts, government counterparts and other UN agencies to facilitate timely and efficient delivery of project inputs.
  • Ensuring effective knowledge management strategies are implemented, capturing lessons learned and best practices for future planning; preparing analytical reports on population dynamics; engaging and supporting the design and implementation of studies and research on UNFPA mandated areas.
  • Participating in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the CO, by ensuring preparation of relevant documentation, for example project proposals/summaries, analytical papers, and by participating in related meetings and public events.
  • Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor or designated authority.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education: 

Advanced university degree in demography, population studies, statistics, social sciences, public health, or a related discipline is required.

Knowledge and Experience: 

  • At least 5 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in population studies, demographic research, or related fields are required.
  • Solid experience in programme and project management, including the design, implementation, and appraisal of population research projects and large-scale data collection exercises (e.g., household surveys, population estimates, displacement monitoring) is desirable.
  • Experience in translating population research findings and demographic evidence into policy briefs, advocacy materials, and programme strategies is desirable.
  • Field experience in Afghanistan, particularly in population data, reproductive health, or humanitarian response, is a strong asset.
  • Prior experience in the UN system is an asset.

Languages: 

Fluency in English and local language Dari and/or Pashto is required. Working knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

Core Competencies: 

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

Functional Competencies:

  • Advocacy/advancing a policy-oriented agenda
  • Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
  • Delivering results based programmes
  • Internal and external communication and advocacy for resource mobilization

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.