Result of Service

The consultant will provide specialized technical support to advance the development of the Central Framework for a System of Population and Social Statistics (CF-SPSS), with particular emphasis on supporting the review of the Classification of Statistical Activities, the development of a glossary and common statistical language, the preparation of an initial common structure of population groups, the development of initial integrated tabulations, and the systematization of relevant country practices. The consultancy will prepare technical inputs and working materials that can support the Task Team initiating the work to develop the CF-SPSS and contribute to its next phases.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

approximately 5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

In 2022, the United Nations Statistical Commission established the Friends of the Chair Group on Social and Demographic Statistics (FOCG-SD) to review social and demographic statistics and recommend ways to strengthen their relevance, coherence and integration. Its work identified the absence of an overarching conceptual framework as a major gap, leading to the development of a proof of concept for a Central Framework for a System of Population and Social Statistics (CF-SPSS) and laying the foundation for a more coherent and system-wide approach. To advance this work, the UN Statistical Commission established the Committee of Experts on Population and Social Statistics (CEPSS), with priority given to developing the CF-SPSS. Building on the work of the FOCG-SD, the first phase of work focuses on establishing the conceptual foundation and common statistical terminology of the framework, revising the Classification of Statistical Activities to better reflect the domains and subdomains relevant for population and social statistics, developing an initial set of integrated tabulations, and advancing work on population groups and integrated data infrastructure. These workstreams are intended to help translate the CF-SPSS from a proof of concept into a more operational statistical framework. The need for such a framework is increasingly evident as rapid demographic, social, economic and technological changes create more complex and interconnected policy challenges. Population and social statistics often remain fragmented across domains, limiting their ability to provide timely, integrated and policy-relevant evidence. Growing demand for more disaggregated and multidimensional data, coupled with resource and capacity constraints, further underscores the need for a coherent statistical framework. Without such a framework, these challenges contribute to duplication of efforts, inconsistencies in reporting and persistent policy blind spots, while limiting countries’ ability to respond effectively to global agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “beyond GDP” initiatives and future international development frameworks. The CF-SPSS aims to provide a unified conceptual and statistical framework for organizing, producing and using population and social statistics in an integrated manner. It promotes a common architecture and terminology across social outcome domains—such as health, education, labour, migration and social protection—while supporting a people-centred and multidimensional understanding of populations and communities. In this context, the objective of this consultancy is to provide specialized technical support to advance the development of the CF-SPSS, with particular emphasis on supporting the review of the Classification of Statistical Activities, the development of a glossary and common statistical language, the preparation of an initial common structure of population groups, the development of initial integrated tabulations, and the systematization of relevant country practices. The consultancy will prepare technical inputs and working materials that can support the Task Team initiating the work to develop the CF-SPSS and contribute to its next phases. Work assignment: Under the supervision of the Chief of the Social Statistics Branch of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and in collaboration with UNSD and the CEPSS, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: i. Review and synthesize relevant existing materials prepared under the Friends of the Chair Group on Social and Demographic Statistics (FOCG-SD), and other related groups working under the auspices of the Statistical Commission, with a view to identifying statistical standards, tabulation practices, and country experiences relevant to the development of the CF-SPSS. Prepare an inception note outlining steps toward each output under this consultancy assignment and detailed workplan aligned with the Task Team workstreams; ii. Support the development of a common statistical language for the SPSS, including by reviewing existing concepts, definitions and classifications used across population, social, economic and environmental statistics, identifying areas of overlap or inconsistency, and contributing to the preparation of draft glossary entries for key SPSS terms. iii. Support the review and revision of the Classification of Statistical Activities (version 2.1) to better organize the domains and subdomains relevant for population and social statistics in a manner that supports the CF-SPSS, including identification of gaps, overlaps, and possible areas for restructuring. iv. Support the development of an initial common structure of population groups by key variables (sex, age, disability status, migratory status, marital status, household type) to facilitate consistent aggregation and disaggregation across statistical domains. This work will include reviewing relevant concepts, classifications and disaggregation variables; assessing their feasibility based on national data availability and reporting practices; and identifying methodological gaps and priority areas for further development. v. Support the development of an initial set of integrated tabulations designed to demonstrate the practical value of SPSS for evidence-based policymaking. This will include helping define priority policy areas, identifying the concepts, classifications and disaggregation variables needed for the tabulations, and preparing draft tabulation structures for discussion and refinement. vi. Systematize country practices and national experiences relevant to the development of the CF-SPSS, including examples related to statistical classifications, integrated tabulations, population segmentation, linked data systems and other practical approaches that may inform the work of the Task Team. vii. Prepare background notes, summary papers and working documents to support the Task Team’s technical discussions, including materials for review before and after the planned Technical Workshop on System of Population and Social Statistics. viii. Support the preparation and revision of initial drafts of Task Team deliverables, incorporating comments and feedback received from Task Team members and technical discussions. ix. Contribute to the preparation of presentation materials and summary documentation for the planned Technical Workshop and related consultations and assist in consolidating comments and follow-up revisions after the Workshop. Prepare a note summarizing key methodological issues, areas requiring further work and points for consideration in the next stage of development.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in statistics, demography, sociology, economics, public policy, social sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in drafting analytical reports, background papers, methodological documents or research papers in official statistics or related fields is required. Experience in population and/or social statistics is required. Experience in the development or application of statistical frameworks, classifications, concepts, definitions, tabulations, disaggregation practices, or integrated data approaches is highly desirable. Experience in working with governments, national statistical offices, regional organizations or international organizations is desirable. Experience supporting expert groups, technical committees or intergovernmental statistical processes is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Consultant - Development of technical materials for an integrated system of population and social statistics