Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Migration and Urbanization Section of the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). The Population Affairs Officer reports to the Senior Population Affairs Officer in the Section.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the duties of the Population Affairs Officer encompass the following:
- Provides substantive support on population issues to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Commission on Population and Development, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly or the regional commissions. This activity includes preparing reports or inputs for reports to intergovernmental bodies, attending meetings, preparing summary reports on meetings, assisting in the organization of panels or round tables;
- Develops and maintains databases on demographic indicators, population and development indicators, population policy information and indicators or information on other population related issues. Programs and oversees the development of appropriate software for the efficient use and management of data in databases;
- Prepares estimates of international migration. This task includes the application of techniques of demographic analysis to estimate indicators of international migration and to evaluate data for completeness and accuracy so as to adjust the data as needed;
- Designs and carries out studies on population trends, population policies and their relations to social and economic factors in specific topical areas such as fertility; family planning; internal and international migration; urbanization; health and mortality; population structure and composition; population ageing; population, environment and development. Writes substantive reports on the results of the studies carried out;
- Applies, adapts or develops methodologies for demographic analysis. Develops the tools for the appropriate implementation of methodology. Programming experience is necessary to perform this task, as is solid background in statistics or mathematics;
- Assists in carrying out administrative tasks including interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates, preparation of budgets, reporting on programme performance, preparation of input for results-based budgeting;
- Assists in providing supervision and guidance to more junior staff;
- Organizes expert group meetings, seminars, etc. on population-related issues;
- Attends international, regional or national meetings on population issues to present results of demographic analysis and research; keeps abreast of developments in the field, gathers information, networks and holds discussions on population issues with colleagues in other institutions;
- Represents the Population Division at international, regional or national meetings;
- Designs and provides support to technical cooperation projects in the area of population and development;
- Assists in the preparation of research proposals for external funding on population issues;
- Prepares briefing notes or press releases on population and development issues for use by senior staff, other offices and departments of the United Nations, and the media;
- Supports junior staff, reviewing their work and providing feedback;
- Participates in intra- and inter-Departmental undertakings of broader concern to represent the views or interests of the organizational unit. • Performs other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of methods of demographic analysis and theories pertaining to demographic change and population trends. 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in demography or in sociology, statistics, economics or related field with an emphasis on demography is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in population analysis and research or related area is required. Experience in analysis of patterns and trends of international migration or urbanization in the context of sustainable development is required. Experience in developing and applying methods for the estimation, projection or analysis of migration or urbanization is required. Experience in programming computer applications relevant to the analysis of demographic data, particularly in R, SQL, or Excel VBA is required. Experience in collecting or analyzing data on migration or urbanization policies is desirable.
Languages
- 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.
Application instructions
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