[Hiring] Individual Consultant: VALIDATION OF 30 YEARS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS, POLICY REVIEW, AND QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF FAMILY PLANNING INEQUITY IN EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION @UNFPA

Role Description

The primary purpose of the consultancy commissioned by UNFPA ESARO is to conduct a qualitative validation and operational audit of 30 years of demographic data to uncover the underlying why and how of structural inequities in family planning access across the East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR). While quantitative metrics show a tripling of the modern contraceptive prevalence rate since 1990, these aggregate successes frequently mask profound disparities. By employing a granular, person-centred approach to humanize these statistical trends, the consultancy aims to surface the real-life narratives of invisible, high-risk populations and assess the impact of recent investments made since ICPD.

Qualifications

• Master’s (10 years of experience) or PhD (7 years of experience) in Demography, Public Health, or Sociology.
• Proven analytical capacity to interpret and validate complex demographic models.
• Deep understanding of the ESAR context.
• Experience in using pictorial aids, visual illustrations, and structured validation narratives.
• Ability to translate disaggregated data into stories and recommendations for regional policy dialogue.

Requirements

• Proven expertise in the analysis of FP/demographic principles and policy dialogues.
• Demonstrated experience in maternal, newborn, or reproductive health programmes, preferably focusing on family planning.
• Experience conducting policy and investment analyses grounded in the fiscal realities of Low- and Middle-Income Countries.
• Demonstrated experience working in LMICs, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa or the ESA region.
• Proven capacity to manage multi-country analytical work and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver high-quality analytical reports and policy outputs within agreed timelines.
• Previous collaboration with UNFPA, UN agencies, or development partners.

Benefits

• Remote assignment.
• UNFPA will provide electronic copies of the reports and relevant background documents.

Detailed Deliverables

• Coordinate with the country's focal point and a completed validation tool for each country.
• Additional data sources with an analysis of similar KPI.
• Revised report in track change and cleaned final version.
• A comprehensive desk review of national laws, policies, strategic plans, investment cases, and key cultural/social norms affecting FP access and equity across the ESAR.
• Conduct a virtual presentation of the final compendium and findings to key stakeholders and partners.
• Dissemination strategy and plan detailing target audiences and proposed formats for the regional compendium and qualitative assessment report.
• Electronic submission of the validated and completed Qualitative Assessment Questionnaire and a comprehensive qualitative narrative report.