A consultant for the project on assessing inequalities in civil registration and vital statistics in Bhutan

Result of Service

In this connection, ESCAP is seeking a consultant to assess inequalities in CRVS in Bhutan and identify those groups with lower registration rates and the magnitude of the gap with the rest of the population. To render an objective overview of the situation, a triangulation of data from the best sources is needed and several options may need to be explored. For instance, census data is one of the best data sources if it addresses the question of civil registration, as it is relatively comprehensive. Household surveys such as Demographic and Health Surveys can also give insights on some of the gaps in universal registration. However, irrespective of the data source used, the most marginalized groups are often still excluded as they may be out of households or in geographic areas not fully enumerated. Analysis of various data sources, including through indirect demographic methods to estimate overall deaths and births will be beneficial to assess these gaps. In light of the above, ESCAP is seeking to hire a consultant to support NSB and relevant stakeholders to identify secondary data available for inequality assessments; identify the capacity gaps in the national statistical system with regards to demographic estimation and methods; and prepare an inequality assessment based on secondary data sources including a section on gender-related issues. The consultant will also be responsible for organizing: 1. A 0.5-1 day project inception workshop in close collaboration with NSB and ESCAP. The workshop will invite all relevant national stakeholders and partner agencies. 2. Two 3 day national or district/provincial workshops will focus on capacity building in demographic skills (indirect techniques for demographic estimation) within the national statistical system to ensure sustainability; and 3. One 1 day national closing workshop will present and discuss the results of the inequality assessment and the policy implications by engaging policymakers and other relevant stakeholders. CRVS inequality assessments should be an iterative and collaborative process. Although the PSA will take the lead in the implementation of the project at the national level, extensive support will be provided by the ESCAP Statistics Division, the international expert and national consultant engaged by ESCAP under the project.

Work Location

Bhutan

Expected duration

25 May – 30 Aug 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

A well-functioning civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system helps ensure that every person has a legal identity, facilitating access to the benefits and protections of the State. It is also the preferred data source for many demographic statistics with numerous indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) directly related to mortality and fertility while others rely on population data as the denominator. To know who is being left behind, the relevant disaggregated population data needs to be available. Many countries experience lower civil registration completeness rates among certain marginalized and hard-to-reach population groups or geographic areas. Despite these inequalities and their negative impact, this problem often remains a blind spot. The groups affected remain largely invisible if the matter is not specifically investigated. In Asia-Pacific, the lack of information on hard-to-reach and marginalized groups, and their exclusion, hinders countries from developing efficient policies. Inequality assessments are therefore critical to ensure full inclusion, and these disparities need to be specifically and thoroughly examined. To ensure progress in registration is truly universal and fully inclusive, the Ministerial declaration to “Get Every One in The Picture” in Asia and the Pacific recognized the need to address disparities in civil registration completeness and coverage of these groups. Hence, the Regional Action Framework (RAF) for the Asia-Pacific CRVS Decade 2015-2024 (ESCAP resolution 71/14) calls upon countries to assess any CRVS-related inequalities experienced by population subgroups. Doing so is an essential step to getting everyone in the picture. This step is also key to the realization of the 2030 Agenda in terms of both data and social protection. It is also critical from a gender perspective as it is essential to know how and why there are differences in civil registration by sex and any gender-related barriers to registration, especially for different sub-groups in the population. Against this backdrop, ESCAP and Bloomberg Philanthropies Data 4 Health initiative have collaborated and implemented the project entitled “Getting everyone in the picture: strengthening civil registration and vital statistics systems in Asia and the Pacific”. The work supports implementation of the Regional Action Framework on CRVS in Asia and the Pacific and the further commitments made in the Ministerial Declaration on Building a More Resilient Future with Inclusive Civil Registration and Vital Statistic. More specifically, the project aims to develop statistical capacity and demographic skills within national statistics offices (NSOs) and other line ministries/organizations involve in CRVS systems for the implementation of quantitative CRVS inequality assessments using secondary data sources. This involves building capacity for demographic analysis to undertake inequality assessments in the future as well as dialogue with policy-makers to ensure the results are used for policy formulation. The capacity building workshops will primarily focus on indirect techniques for demographic estimation (specific content of which will be finalized together with the National Statistics Bureau (NSB) of Bhutan).

Qualifications/special skills

Bachelor’s degree in Demography, Statistics or related fields is required. Advanced degree in Demography will be an advantage. At least 5 years of experience in providing technical assistance to strengthen national CRVS Systems At least 3 years in the area of demographic estimation and official statistics Understanding of official statistics in the Asia-Pacific region Working experience with a national statistical office in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable Skills : – Strong understanding of civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems and other data sources for estimating vital statistics – Demographic modelling and estimation skills, specifically in indirect techniques for demographic estimation – Strong drafting skills, including the ability to summarize technical material, conceptualize ideas and articulate relevant subject matter in a clear and concise way – Excellent coordination, planning, communication and organizational skills

Languages

Fluency in English, including written and oral is required. Fluency in the local language is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.