INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: Demographic Intelligence and Adaptation Specialist, Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal is undergoing a profound demographic transition. Declining fertility, population ageing, large-scale migration, urbanization, changing family and household structures, and significant geographic disparities are reshaping the country's development trajectory. These changes have important implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, adolescents and youth, labour markets, social protection, the care economy, public services and public finance.

As Nepal prepares for these transitions, there is a growing need to move beyond the production and use of population data towards demographic intelligence, translating demographic evidence, projections and foresight into actionable policy, planning, financing and programme decisions. This also requires greater attention to demographic adaptation, ensuring that policies, institutions, services and investments evolve in response to changing population structures while safeguarding rights, choices and reproductive agency.

The development and implementation of UNFPA Nepal's Tenth Country Programme (CP10) provides an opportunity to strengthen this approach and support national and subnational institutions to better anticipate and respond to demographic change. The consultancy will provide dedicated technical and policy expertise to advance this agenda, in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and its emphasis on adaptation to demographic change.

This consultancy will provide high-level technical, analytical, policy and programme support to establish demographic intelligence and demographic adaptation as a core capability of the UNFPA Nepal Country Office and strengthen national capacity to anticipate and respond to demographic change.

Key responsibilities include integrating adaptation approaches under CP10, institutionalizing these processes within government structures, and engaging development institutions on the fiscal and labour-market implications of demographic change. Additionally, the role involves promoting innovative decision-support tools and ensuring that all responses to demographic shifts remain rights-based, gender-responsive, and aligned with the ICPD Programme of Action.

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 will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, 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

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide high-level technical, analytical, policy and programme support to establish demographic intelligence and demographic adaptation as a core capability of the UNFPA Nepal Country Office and strengthen national capacity to anticipate and respond to demographic change. The consultant will:

• Translate  population  dynamics  and  demographic  change  into  actionable intelligence for policy, planning, financing and programming;
• Support the integration and implementation of demographic intelligence and adaptation approaches under CP10;
• Strengthen the use of demographic evidence in relevant national and subnational development planning and policy processes;
• Support institutionalization of demographic intelligence within appropriate government structures and planning processes;
• Strengthen engagement with economic and development policy institutions on the fiscal, labour-market and broader development implications of demographic change;
• Promote innovative approaches to demographic analysis, foresight and decision support; and
• Ensure that responses to demographic change remain evidence-informed, gender-responsive, rights-based and grounded in the ICPD Programme of Action.

Under the overall guidance of the Country Representative and direct supervision of the Deputy Representative, and working closely with relevant Country Office teams and national partners, the consultant will undertake the following responsibilities.

• Lead the development and operationalization of a demographic intelligence approach for UNFPA Nepal, bringing together census data, surveys, civil registration and vital statistics, administrative records, population projections, geospatial information and relevant socioeconomic, fiscal and labour-market data.
• Analyze key demographic transitions and their implications, including fertility decline, population ageing and longevity, migration and mobility, urbanization, changing age and sex structures, household and family change, reproductive intentions, care needs and geographic disparities.
• Generate forward-looking national and subnational demographic analysis, projections and scenarios to help anticipate changes in service populations, vulnerabilities, infrastructure needs and resource requirements.
• Strengthen analysis of the economic and fiscal implications of demographic change, including labour-force participation and productivity, dependency structures, human capital, social protection, care systems, migration and remittances, and public expenditure.
• Apply foresight and scenario analysis to examine alternative demographic futures and their implications for development planning, public systems, financing and programme priorities.
• Promote the appropriate use of geospatial analysis, data visualization, predictive analytics and other innovative approaches to strengthen demographic intelligence and decision-making, working with specialist partners where required.
• Translate complex demographic, social and economic evidence into accessible policy intelligence, analytical papers, briefs, presentations and strategic messages for senior decision-makers.

• Provide high-level technical and policy advice to UNFPA and national and subnational partners on the implications of demographic change for Nepal's development.
• Support the integration of demographic evidence into national and subnational development policies, periodic plans, sector strategies, budgets and public investment decisions.
• Support policy dialogue and strategic engagement with the National Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, National Statistics Office, relevant line ministries, provincial and local governments, international financial institutions, development partners, academia and the UN system.
• Develop policy briefs, strategic advisory notes, investment cases and options papers on priority demographic adaptation issues, including healthy ageing and longevity, fertility transition and reproductive futures, migration and mobility, changing family structures and the care economy, labour markets, social protection and adaptation of public services.
• Strengthen analysis and policy dialogue on the connections between demographic change and economic development, public finance, human capital and sustainable development.
• Support balanced and evidence-based policy and public narratives on demographic change, ensuring that responses to fertility decline, ageing, migration and other demographic transitions remain grounded in human rights, gender equality, reproductive agency and the ICPD Programme of Action.
• Monitor emerging policy and political-economy dimensions of demographic change and advise Country Office leadership on strategic positioning and emerging opportunities or risks.

• Support the integration of demographic intelligence and demographic adaptation across CP10, including population and data, SRHR, gender and GBV, adolescents and youth, humanitarian action and other relevant programme areas.
• Identify opportunities for integrated programming around emerging demographic issues, including healthy ageing, the care economy, reproductive futures, infertility, migration, urbanization, intergenerational relations and adaptation of services and institutions to changing population structures.
• Identify demographic risks and opportunities requiring programme adaptation and provide strategic advice on programme priorities, positioning and partnerships.
• Contribute demographic intelligence and technical expertise to programme design, monitoring and evaluation, strategic communications, donor proposals, concept notes, investment cases and resource mobilization.
• Support the development of appropriate demographic intelligence and decision-support tools, dashboards or analytical platforms in collaboration with relevant technical partners and institutions.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships with government, international financial institutions, development partners, academia, research institutions, private sector and other relevant actors around demographic intelligence and adaptation.
• Identify opportunities to mobilize financial and technical resources and position demographic intelligence as a platform for wider collaboration on economic development, social policy, health, gender equality, human capital, ageing and migration.

• Assess options for establishing a sustainable demographic intelligence capability within government, including a potential Demographic Intelligence Unit or equivalent institutional arrangement.
• Provide technical support, as requested by the Government, for the design and operationalization of the preferred institutional mechanism, including its mandate, governance, priority functions and use cases, data architecture, partnerships, capacity requirements and sustainability.
• Strengthen the capacity of UNFPA staff and relevant government counterparts to interpret demographic change, use population projections and spatial data, undertake scenario analysis and translate demographic evidence into policy, planning and programme decisions.
• Develop practical guidance, analytical templates, learning products and tools that can be institutionalized within national and subnational planning and programming processes.
• Provide technical mentoring and on-the-job support to multidisciplinary teams and facilitate knowledge exchange within Nepal and across the UNFPA network.
• Build partnerships with national institutions, universities and research organizations to strengthen the longer-term ecosystem for demographic intelligence and adaptation.
• Support knowledge management and document lessons, approaches and recommendations to ensure continuity and sustainability beyond the consultancy.

• →Undertake other related functions consistent with the purpose and scope of the assignment, as may be required by UNFPA Country Office leadership in support of demographic intelligence, demographic adaptation and implementation of the Country Programme.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in demography, population studies, economics, public policy, development studies, sociology, gender studies, social sciences, public health, international development, or another field relevant to population dynamics and development.
• A doctoral degree in a relevant field would be an asset.

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in population and development, demographic analysis, population economics, development planning, public policy or a related field, including experience translating demographic evidence into policy and programme decisions.
• Strong knowledge of population dynamics and demographic methods, including population projections and analysis of key demographic transitions such as fertility, ageing, migration, urbanization and changing population and household structures.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse the social and economic implications of demographic change, including for labour markets, human capital, social protection, public finance, care systems, health and other public services.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the development or implementation of national or subnational policies, strategies and programmes, including engagement with government and other development partners.
• Strong understanding of the interconnections between demographic change and UNFPA mandate areas, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, reproductive agency, gender equality, adolescents and youth, and the ICPD Programme of Action.
• Proven experience in policy advice, advocacy and stakeholder engagement, including with senior government counterparts, the UN system, development partners and/or international financial institutions.
• Strong analytical, conceptual and writing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex evidence into policy briefs, strategic papers, presentations and other products for senior decision-makers.
• Experience in one or more of the following would be an asset: demographic-economic or scenario analysis, geospatial analysis and data visualization, foresight, innovative digital or AI-enabled approaches, and institutional capacity development.
• Experience with the UN or other international development organizations and familiarity with Nepal’s development and demographic context would be desirable.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Nepali would be desirable.

• 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.

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.

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.