NATIONAL CONSULTANT: For support with the process of review and updating of National Population Policy of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Position:

The Population Management Division (PMD)/Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) is undertaking a review and update the population policy in the context of the federal system, megatrends, LDC graduation and acceleration for achievement of the SDGs. To guide the process, MoHP has established a National Steering Committee and a Technical Committee, chaired by the Secretary and Joint Secretary respectively. An initial policy framework is being developed, drawing on previous efforts and ongoing stakeholders’ consultations. The need for an updated comprehensive policy is strongly recognized, especially to provide direction for addressing demographic shifts and emerging population issues, in alignment with the latest census data and national priorities for the sustainable development (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development, Programme of Action (ICPD PoA). To ensure that the process is technically rigorous, consultative, evidence-based and caters to the diverse needs of the country’s federal context, takes into consideration good practices and rights-based approach in line with ICPD principles, and is sufficiently integrated to be able to inform sectoral policies of population issues relevance, UNFPA is providing technical support to PMD/MoHP as requested.

Nepal has been through dramatic political and governance changes in the past few years. After the promulgation of the new Constitution in 2015, it is currently undergoing a major political transition to a federal democratic republic system. As per the provision in the constitution, population and development planning is one of the current powers of the federal and provincial governments.

In 2014, the Government of Nepal (GoN) formulated a comprehensive national population policy to guide all other sectoral policies, plans, and programmes to address population and development issues in line with the long-term Population Perspective Plan (PPP) 2010-2031 of the Government and the 16^th periodic plan.

The MoHP/PMD requested UNFPA to support a national consultant to review and revise the national population policy during the first quarter of 2025 in consultation with federal and provincial stakeholders. As the time frame is extremely tight UNFPA is supporting an international consultant for guidance purposes and a national support consultant for processes to complete the exercise during the first quarter of 2025. This Terms of Reference is in relation to the tasks and activities of the national support consultant. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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.

Job Purpose:

The national support consultant will undertake the following specific tasks and expected deliverables.

You would be responsible for:

1. Support the national lead consultant to develop slides for provincial level workshops (MoHP-organised) with sectoral ministries and provincial stakeholders;
2. Coordinate with the national lead consultant, PMD/MoHP, UNFPA and Provincial Governments on participation at up to 7 provincial level workshops (MoHP-organised) with sectoral ministries and provincial stakeholders;
3. Take the minutes for reporting on up to 7 provincial stakeholder workshops;
4. Support the national lead consultant to review recently published population data and thematic analysis undertaken by the National Statistics Office (NSO) from the 2021 Census;
5. Coordinate with the national lead consultant, PMD/MoHP, UNFPA on participation at 4 national consultation workshops with: youth, elderly, private sector and GESI population groups;
6. Support the national lead consultant to develop slides for the 4 national consultation workshops with: youth, elderly, private sector and GESI population groups;
7. Take the minutes from stakeholders input at the 4 national consultation workshops with: youth, elderly, private sector and GESI population groups;
8. Coordinate with the national lead consultant, PMD/MoHP and UNFPA on participation at a national validation workshop on the updated draft National Population Policy;
9. Support the national lead consultant to develop slides for the national validation workshop on the updated draft National Population Policy;
10. Take the minutes from stakeholders input for reporting from the national validation workshop.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• At least a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public policy or a related field.
• At least 2 years of work experience in public policy in Nepal.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Experience in preparing policy consultations including participant lists, powerpoint slides and minute taking,
• Initiative and ability to work under direction,
• Data analytical skills,
• Skills in Microsoft Word and Powerpoint.

Languages: 

Fluency in written and spoken Nepali and English

Required Competencies: 

Values:

  Exemplifying integrity, 

  Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 

  Embracing cultural diversity, 

  Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

  Achieving results,

  Being accountable,

  Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

  Thinking analytically and strategically,

  Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA Work Environment:

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. 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.

Disclaimer:

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.