Job Identification : 11199
Locations : Home Based
Posting Date : 06/05/2023, 03:23 AM
Apply Before : 06/20/2023, 03:59 AM
Job Schedule : Part time
Grade : P4
Vacancy Type : Temporary
Contract Duration : 6 months
Education and Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 10 year(s) experience
Other Criteria
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience on the economic dimension of population transition in the Asia-Pacific
Required Languages : English
Vacancy Timeline : 2 Weeks
Job Category : Population & Development
Job Description
Purpose of consultancy: In 2021, UNFPA Asia-Pacific introduced a platform to institutionalize the National Transfer Account (NTA) and Demographic Dividend (DD) application in Asia and the Pacific according to the project on ‘Strengthening, Acceleration, and MAinstreamed NTA and DD (SAMANTA)’ into policy mechanisms. The SAMANTA Platform is embedded in the existing NTA networks in Asia-Pacific convened by the East-West Center and by UNFPA Country Offices. The platform is supported and institutionalized into the following existing mechanisms: a) the Asian Population Association (APA) Council providing an entry point for networking the researchers and population experts in the region; b) the NTA global & regional network convened by the East-West Center; c) the UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO) and 22 UNFPA Country Offices and a sub-regional office in the Pacific in which the UNFPA Population and Development Officers of these country offices will convene and connect strategic engagements within the country to generate NTA evidence to support relevant policy development.
The Asia and Pacific is the region with high variation of demographic diversity – some countries have rapidly become aged societies with low fertility and increasing longevity while other countries are going through the demographic transition with declining fertility and low mortality. Eventually, most countries in the region will become an ageing or aged society with variations of the situation among sub-population groups subject to inequality and risk mitigation potentials at all levels. The road ahead whether or not countries will be able to turn the challenges of having a rapidly ageing society to becoming a better-balanced society with the protection of the right for all and leaving no one behind pretty much depends on the government’s ability to introduce evidence-based policy options for all throughout a life-course of individuals. In this regard, the NTA emerges as a solid tool providing a complete accounting by age of how economic resources are produced and consumed, and how each country relies on government programs, family systems, and financial markets to achieve the final distribution of these economic resources. The NTA provides a unique and invaluable framework for investigating how changes in population age structure will influence national development, economic security, generational equity, gender equality, public finances, and many other important public policy issues.
Asia is a region with rapid shifts in the balance of smaller populations of young adolescents to large populations of workers in a country which creates a window of opportunity for governments to capitalize on the released resources for economic development and growth known as Demographic Dividend (DD). When fertility rates decline, fewer births take place each year, and the size of the population of young dependents grows smaller. Lower fertility changes a country’s age structure and can substantially affect the economy. The larger share of the working-age population, if productively employed, can spur economic growth. Such conditions can lead to higher economic productivity and rising personal incomes. However, the Demographic Dividend is not automatic for any country with a limited window of opportunity which will close over the next two decades for most developing countries where fertility transitions are underway. A country’s ability to compete in the global economy will depend on foresighted and prudent decisions about policies for health, education, and employment made today. Within a short time of preparing for rapid demographic shifts, countries in the region such as Iran, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam have been facing the consequences of rapid population ageing. Unlike more developed nations, a large proportion of working populations in most developing countries are those working in the informal sector employment with inadequate social welfare support into their old age.
The NTA accounting has produced solid evidence to support countries in harnessing the benefits of the demographic dividend. APRO developed the Demographic Dividend Atlas based on the NTA analysis in 2021 covering 26 countries in the region. In 2022, the data was updated based on the population figures obtained from the UN Population Prospects, 2022. Relevant indicators to demographic dividend including 6 indicators based on NTA calculation were updated. UNFPA HQ has also produced the Demographic Dividend Atlas globally including data visualization of 10 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This TOR calls for a consultancy to finalize the existing Demographic Dividend Atlas by APRO having data visualization using Arc-GIS software keeping in mind data consistency with demographic dividend indicators by ESCAP , and the Demographic Dividend Atlas being produced under the Population Data Portal (PDP) by UNFPA HQ . The final product is tentatively to be launched during the 7th Asia-Pacific Population Conference to be held at ESCAP in November 2023.
Relevancy to UNFPA Population and Development Programming: This consultancy fills in the gap by bringing macroeconomic arguments using the NTA analysis to suggest how 26 countries in the Asia-Pacific region can better balance the intergenerational support of the population through better investment in human capital development throughout a life-course. The Demographic Dividend Atlas provides a simple data virtualization giving presentations of over 40 demographic dividends-related indicators. The users can select countries from the Atlas to display country data comparisons. The result helps UNFPA country offices in using evidence to design their advocacy and programme efforts on how to further enhance the demographic dividend potentials of countries in the region with variation in their population transitional contexts.
Scope of work:
Under the coordination of APRO’s Regional Technical Specialist on Population Development supported by APRO’s Deputy Regional Director and other Population and Development Advisors, the consultant will deliver the following tasks: 1 Demographic Dividend Atlas Finalization
- Review and check data consistency of the demographic dividend indicators and data by ESCAP and by UNFPA HQ and suggest how to finalize the Demographic Dividend Atlas by APRO which includes the NTA analysis section;
- Produce NTA analysis for the 2nd demographic dividend for up to five countries to be added to the existing demographic dividend data files;
- Work in collaboration with the Arc-GIS consultant supported by APRO to produce data visualization using Arc-GIS software. The final product is a regional PDP data visualization on demographic dividends for Asia-Pacific;
- Give a virtual webinar to UNFPA Country Focal Points presenting the semi-final product of the Demographic Dividend Atlas for country validation;
- Provide back-stopping technical support on NTA by APRO and UNFPA Country Offices.
2 Advocacy of NTA Utilization for policy planners
- Provide technical support and work in collaboration with another consultant to produce two communication materials:
- An advocacy infographic booklet on ‘National Transfer Account for Generational Economy Policies’
- A VDO script on the subject – the VDO will be produced by a media communication consultant
- Support APRO’s engagement to launch the Demographic Dividend Atlas using NTA evidence and the NTA communication materials toward the end of 2023.
Duration and working schedule: 20 days from the contract start date to November 2023
Place where services are to be delivered: Home-based
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered: ● By 15 July, 2023, Agreed outline of the revised Demographic Dividend Atlas including the analysis for the 2nd Demographic Dividend ● By 30 November, 2023, Final revision of – a) the Demographic Dividend Atlas; b) support APRO’s engagement in the 7APPC on the NTA-related discussions ● The product will be delivered electronically
Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format, and deadline:
For monitoring purposes, APRO will be in routine communication with the consultant.
Supervisory arrangements: The consultant reports to Technical Specialist on Population & Development
Expected travel: None
Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA: UNFPA has produced a few publications for a better understanding of how to utilize NTA evidence for policy guidance. The consultant needs to be familiar with these publications in order to provide technical support to UNFPA.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Master’s degree in economics, demography or related disciplines.
Knowledge and Experience:
- At least 10 years of relevant professional experience on the economic dimension of population transition in the Asia-Pacific.
- Having international expertise on National Transfer Account (NTA)
- Strong research and analysis skills, and excellent written and communication skills.
- Demonstrated track record in the preparation of high-quality analytical reports.
- Proven ability to meet deadlines, and deliver quality products.
- Experience in and/or knowledge of the UN system and/or UNFPhttps://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2003/job/11199A, is desirable.
Languages:
English proficiency
Disclaimer:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm