Consultant – Sustainable Demographic & Health Data at UNSD: New York

Lessons Learnt Consultant – Sustainable Demographic & Health Data

United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) — Remote consultancy | 3.5 months

Remote

Duration: 3.5 months

Final report: 57th UN Statistical Commission — March 2026

Overview

The United Nations Statistics Division is recruiting a Lessons Learnt Consultant to undertake a rigorous assessment of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) programme and to formulate validated, forward-looking recommendations that strengthen sustainable, country-led demographic and health data systems.

Result of Service

The consultant will deliver:

• A comprehensive assessment report of the DHS programme.
• Evidence-based findings, validated lessons learned and forward-looking recommendations.
• A final report to be presented at the 57th UN Statistical Commission (March 2026).

Background & Mandate

For forty years, DHS has been a cornerstone source of high-quality, open-access demographic and health data used to monitor approximately 30 SDG indicators. In March 2025, the UN Statistical Commission established the Task Force on Sustainable Demographic and Health Statistics through Surveys under ISWGHS to guide responses to the termination of DHS and reductions in international survey support (Decision 56/118).

Duties & Responsibilities

The consultant will conduct a mixed-methods assessment aligned with the Shared Principles of the ISWGHS Task Force. Key activities include:

• Desk review of DHS documentation, evaluations, and country reports.
• Incorporation of findings from three ISWGHS surveys (March–Sept 2025).
• Key informant interviews with representatives in six countries, international agencies, donors and DHS staff.
• Contribution to three regional virtual consultations and one in-person technical meeting for validation and stakeholder consultation.
• Analysis of DHS contributions to national statistics, capacity development, and system integration.
• Identification of gaps, emerging needs, and formulation of sustainable international support models.

Deliverables & Timeline

• Interim findings to inform regional consultations.
• Validated final assessment report with actionable recommendations (to be submitted for the 57th UN Statistical Commission, March 2026).

Qualifications & Skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's) in statistics, research, or related field — or a first degree plus two additional years' experience.
• Minimum 10 years' professional experience in statistical support, programme evaluation or results-based management.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and assessment design.
• Knowledge of demography, statistical capacity development and international engagement strategies.
• Experience working with multilateral organisations (UN, World Bank) is desirable.
• Fluency in English (required). French is an asset.

Ethics & Note on Fees

Important: The United Nations does not charge any fee at any stage of recruitment (application, interview, processing, or training). Applicants should not provide bank-account information to third parties in response to recruitment approaches.

Position	Lessons Learnt Consultant
Organization	United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
Location	Remote
Duration	3.5 months
Final presentation	57th UN Statistical Commission — March 2026
Required language	Fluent English (written & spoken)

Apply / Express interest

For use in a recruitment post: replace the Apply link with the official UN careers URL or application instructions.

Contact

For queries about the terms of reference or selection procedure, refer to the UN Statistics Division vacancy announcement.

Published by United Nations Statistics Division — Use this template to share the vacancy on your blog or recruitment channels. Edit the Apply link and contact details before publishing.