POPULATION AND DATA SPECIALIST at UNFPA
UNFPA RECRUITMENT 2026
POPULATION AND DATA SPECIALIST
UNFPA is inviting applications from qualified Nigerian nationals for the position of Population and Data Specialist at its Country Office in Abuja.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise on population dynamics, demographic intelligence, data, evidence-based policy, programme management and partnerships.
POSITION
Population and Data Specialist
ORGANIZATION
United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA
LOCATION
Abuja, Nigeria
GRADE
NOD
JOB IDENTIFICATION
37335
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
Fixed Term Appointment, FTA
Non-Rotational
CONTRACT DURATION
One year, with possibility of extension based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
ELIGIBILITY
This vacancy announcement is open to Nigerian nationals only.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must possess:
- A Master’s degree in Demography, Population Studies, Statistics, Geography, Economics, Public Health, Sociology, Development Studies with an emphasis on demography, or a related field.
- A first-level university degree in any of the relevant fields.
- Programming experience necessary for the position.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Applicants should have:
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Population and Data.
- Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Strong results-based programme management experience, particularly in strategic planning and capacity building.
- Experience producing high-quality policy analysis, papers and briefs.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Understanding of development planning and policy processes.
- Experience with large-scale national surveys and censuses.
- Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
- The ability to work independently and effectively within teams.
- Experience in national and/or sectoral policy dialogue will be an advantage.
- Previous UN experience and understanding of human rights dimensions of Population and Data will be an advantage.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Fluency in English is required, with strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written English.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Population and Data Specialist will:
- Lead UNFPA engagement on integrating population dynamics into national development planning.
- Provide strategic policy advice and support high-level policy dialogue with government, UN agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
- Use population data, demographic trends and demographic intelligence to inform policy, planning and evidence-based advocacy.
- Support national census activities, population-based surveys, civil registration and vital statistics systems.
- Strengthen the collection, analysis and use of disaggregated population data.
- Promote demographic foresight and support initiatives aimed at harnessing Nigeria’s demographic dividend.
- Support the integration of migration, climate change and humanitarian considerations into demographic planning.
- Provide technical leadership for Population and Data projects, including budgeting, monitoring, financial management and reporting.
- Support country programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Provide technical support and capacity development to government institutions, implementing partners, civil society, academia and other stakeholders.
- Develop policy briefs, analytical reports, briefing notes, white papers, demographic profiles and other evidence-based products.
- Support UNFPA’s resource mobilisation and partnership development efforts.
- Contribute to donor engagement, proposal development, reporting and communications.
- Represent UNFPA in relevant policy dialogues, coordination mechanisms and strategic forums.
- Foster partnerships with government, donors, UN agencies, civil society, academia, private sector and other stakeholders.
- Support advocacy for sustainable financing of population, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and related priorities.
- Promote knowledge management, learning, documentation of best practices and scaling of successful interventions.
COMPETENCIES
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Integrity and commitment to UNFPA’s mandate.
- Strategic and analytical thinking.
- Results orientation.
- Strong policy advocacy skills.
- Strategic partnership and stakeholder management skills.
- Programme management expertise.
- Communication and advocacy skills.
- Leadership and people development abilities.
- Coaching and mentoring skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Innovation and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong knowledge of population data, research and demographic dynamics.
- Ability to make sound decisions and exercise professional judgement.
- Commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The position offers an attractive remuneration package, including competitive net salary, health insurance and other applicable benefits.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
UNFPA promotes an inclusive working environment based on gender equality, teamwork, diversity, integrity and work-life balance.
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interview, testing or recruitment fee.
Applicants should disregard any request for payment in connection with this recruitment process.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The vacancy information states an application deadline of 24 October 2026 at 5:00 AM.
However, the detailed job description states Tuesday, 27 October 2026 as the closing date.
Applicants are strongly advised to check the official application portal for the current deadline and submit their applications as early as possible.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified Nigerian nationals should apply online through the UNFPA careers portal:
Apply for Population and Data Specialist, Job ID 37335
JOB ID
37335
LOCATION
Abuja, Nigeria
DEADLINE
24 October 2026 at 5:00 AM according to the job information section, while the detailed description states
UNFPA RECRUITMENT 2026
POPULATION AND DATA SPECIALIST
UNFPA is inviting applications from qualified Nigerian nationals for the position of Population and Data Specialist at its Country Office in Abuja.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise on population dynamics, demographic intelligence, data, evidence-based policy, programme management and partnerships.
POSITION
Population and Data Specialist
ORGANIZATION
United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA
LOCATION
Abuja, Nigeria
GRADE
NOD
JOB IDENTIFICATION
37335
EMPLOYMENT TYPE
Full Time
Fixed Term Appointment, FTA
Non-Rotational
CONTRACT DURATION
One year, with possibility of extension based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
ELIGIBILITY
This vacancy announcement is open to Nigerian nationals only.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must possess:
- A Master’s degree in Demography, Population Studies, Statistics, Geography, Economics, Public Health, Sociology, Development Studies with an emphasis on demography, or a related field.
- A first-level university degree in any of the relevant fields.
- Programming experience necessary for the position.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Applicants should have:
- At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Population and Data.
- Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
- Strong results-based programme management experience, particularly in strategic planning and capacity building.
- Experience producing high-quality policy analysis, papers and briefs.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Understanding of development planning and policy processes.
- Experience with large-scale national surveys and censuses.
- Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT systems.
- The ability to work independently and effectively within teams.
- Experience in national and/or sectoral policy dialogue will be an advantage.
- Previous UN experience and understanding of human rights dimensions of Population and Data will be an advantage.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
Fluency in English is required, with strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written English.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Population and Data Specialist will:
- Lead UNFPA engagement on integrating population dynamics into national development planning.
- Provide strategic policy advice and support high-level policy dialogue with government, UN agencies, development partners and other stakeholders.
- Use population data, demographic trends and demographic intelligence to inform policy, planning and evidence-based advocacy.
- Support national census activities, population-based surveys, civil registration and vital statistics systems.
- Strengthen the collection, analysis and use of disaggregated population data.
- Promote demographic foresight and support initiatives aimed at harnessing Nigeria’s demographic dividend.
- Support the integration of migration, climate change and humanitarian considerations into demographic planning.
- Provide technical leadership for Population and Data projects, including budgeting, monitoring, financial management and reporting.
- Support country programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
- Provide technical support and capacity development to government institutions, implementing partners, civil society, academia and other stakeholders.
- Develop policy briefs, analytical reports, briefing notes, white papers, demographic profiles and other evidence-based products.
- Support UNFPA’s resource mobilisation and partnership development efforts.
- Contribute to donor engagement, proposal development, reporting and communications.
- Represent UNFPA in relevant policy dialogues, coordination mechanisms and strategic forums.
- Foster partnerships with government, donors, UN agencies, civil society, academia, private sector and other stakeholders.
- Support advocacy for sustainable financing of population, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and related priorities.
- Promote knowledge management, learning, documentation of best practices and scaling of successful interventions.
COMPETENCIES
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Integrity and commitment to UNFPA’s mandate.
- Strategic and analytical thinking.
- Results orientation.
- Strong policy advocacy skills.
- Strategic partnership and stakeholder management skills.
- Programme management expertise.
- Communication and advocacy skills.
- Leadership and people development abilities.
- Coaching and mentoring skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Innovation and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong knowledge of population data, research and demographic dynamics.
- Ability to make sound decisions and exercise professional judgement.
- Commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The position offers an attractive remuneration package, including competitive net salary, health insurance and other applicable benefits.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
UNFPA promotes an inclusive working environment based on gender equality, teamwork, diversity, integrity and work-life balance.
Women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interview, testing or recruitment fee.
Applicants should disregard any request for payment in connection with this recruitment process.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The vacancy information states an application deadline of 24 October 2026 at 5:00 AM.
However, the detailed job description states Tuesday, 27 October 2026 as the closing date.
Applicants are strongly advised to check the official application portal for the current deadline and submit their applications as early as possible.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified Nigerian nationals should apply online through the UNFPA careers portal:
Apply for Population and Data Specialist, Job ID 37335
JOB ID
37335
LOCATION
Abuja, Nigeria
DEADLINE
27 October 2026.
