National Consultant: National Population Policy (NPP) Consultant - Solomon Islands

To ensure the updated policy is evidenced-based and aligned with the 2016 - 2035 Solomon Islands National Development Strategy, a national consultant is required to lead and conduct the technical review of the current population framework and develop the new 2027 - 2035 National Population Policy. He or she will ensure the new NPP does not duplicate existing sectoral activities, but rather paves the way for effective government programming, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation of population and development activities. Furthermore, the consultant will ensure the NPP is linked to existing national policies and plans to help the Solomon Islands Government achieve its demographic dividend.

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination, in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) is leading the review of the current National Population Policy and the development of the successor policy for 2027 - 2037. This review is a direct response to the 2019 National Population and Housing Census, which indicates that the Solomon Islands' population will continue to grow for several decades. For development planning to be effective at both national and provincial levels, this growth must be integrated into all planning activities. The NPP 2027–2037 aims to harmonize population dynamics with economic and social development to ensure an improved quality of life for all Solomon Islanders. The overarching goal of the National Population Policy is to harmonize population dynamics with sustainable development to ensure an improved quality of life for Solomon Islanders, now and into the future. As an integrated framework, the NPP incorporates strategies from the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy (NDS)2016 to 2035 and aligns them with existing sectoral policies. While implementation occurs primarily at the sectoral level, the NPP serves as the central mechanism for coordinating, monitoring and reporting on actions related to population and development across all levels of government.

Integrating population dynamics into development planning at both national and provincial levels is essential for sustainable growth. Projections indicate the Solomon Islands population will continue to expand over the coming decades; therefore, this growth must be systematically incorporated into all planning frameworks. By aligning development strategies with demographic trends, the government aims to stimulate economic growth and improve social indicators. Over the long term, these integrated planning efforts are intended to transition the population growth rate toward a more manageable and sustainable level.

The National Population Policy document is designed to complement, rather than duplicate, current or existing sectorial activities. It serves as a strategic framework for enhanced and effective government coordination, alignment, and the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of population and development issues and activities. To ensure policy coherence, the NPP is systematically linked to national sector policies and plans, as well as regional and international frameworks. Furthermore, the 2027 - 2037 National Population Policy will identify and fully develop population-related areas that are not currently addressed by existing government institutions, building upon the foundations of the 2017 - 2026 NPP. Following the policy review and development process, the government will determine the appropriate institutional arrangements and mandates required to implement the specific objectives and strategies defined within each policy area

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The Government of Solomon Islands, through the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC) and the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), is undertaking a comprehensive review of the 2017 - 2026 National Population Policy. With the results of the 2019 National Population and Housing Census now available, it is critical to update the policy to reflect contemporary demographic realities, including the "youth bulge," high fertility rates, internal migration to Honiara, and the increasing impacts of climate change on population distribution. To ensure the updated policy is evidenced-based and aligned with the 2016 - 2035 Solomon Islands National Development Strategy, a national consultant is required to lead and conduct the technical review of the current population framework and develop the new 2027 - 2035 National Population Policy. He or she will ensure the new NPP does not duplicate existing sectoral activities, but rather paves the way for effective government programming, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation of population and development activities. Furthermore, the consultant will ensure the NPP is linked to existing national policies and plans to help the Solomon Islands Government achieve its demographic dividend.

• Inception Report - A comprehensive, detailed work plan, stakeholder consultation schedule and methodology, including a map of all sectoral policies and administrative datasets (e.g. Census 2019) to be used in the review.
• Policy Analysis & Gap Analysis Report- A comprehensive review of the 2017 - 2026 National Population Policy, identifying implementation gaps, unaddressed policy areas and a synthesis of current population trends.
• Technical Sectorial Briefings & Reports-Technical meetings/briefings with focal points from health, education, agriculture, etc to secure sectorial data and policy alignment. Summary reports of all consultations conducted, detailing key inputs and sub-national priorities.
• Pre-review provincial consultation workshops & Reports-Facilitate workshops across all nine (9) provinces to capture sub-national population issues to draft into the new policy/before drafting the new policy. Summary report of all provincial consultations conducted, detailing key inputs and sub-national priorities.
• Draft National Population Policy 2027 - 2037-Submission of the first draft based on the provincial and sectoral inputs in a format ready for technical review by the National Steering Committee.
• Post-review provincial validation workshops & Reports-Returning to stakeholders across the nine provinces to present the draft and ensure their specific sections are accurately captured. Summary reports of all the consultations conducted, detailing any key changes or updates
• National Validation Workshop & Report-Facilitate the National Validation Workshop. This is a high-level national event in Honiara to consolidate final comments from the Steering Committee, Donors and Senior Government Officials. The National Validation Workshop report will include outcomes and final comments from the national validation exercise, including a matrix of how stakeholder feedback was addressed in the final draft.
• Final 2027 - 2037 National Population Policy & Submission Package-The finalized 2027 - 2037 NPP. The consultant, in consultation with the NPP Steering Committee, will produce a briefing note and presentation deck for the MNPDC Permanent Secretary and Minister and for parliamentary endorsement of the NPP
   

Master’s qualification in demography, statistics, social sciences, economics, or geography, with specialization in demographic studies

• Experience with population and or demographic studies. 
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years’ experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis. 
• Experience working in the public sector, the UN or other international development organization is an advantage. 
• Excellent oral and writing skills; excellent project management, policy formulation, reporting writing skills. 
• Have a sound statistical knowledge and analytical skills will be an advantage. 
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive. 
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment. 
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and email/internet; and 
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

• English

• 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.