Project Assistant, Demographic Resilience (UNFPA)

The demographic challenges exacerbated and resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine threaten the country’s collective capacity to effectively recover if not adequately addressed. With UNFPA’s technical support, societies in Ukraine will be resilient to, and can thrive amidst, experienced demographic change, and Ukraine’s recovery process will be strengthened. This project aims to strengthen the Government of Ukraine’s (GoU) capacity to produce and utilise reliable population data and estimates for the development, implementation, and monitoring of public policies and programmes focused on recovery and demographic resilience.

As of 2024, over 14.6 million people — about 40 per cent of the estimated Ukrainian population — need humanitarian assistance. Around 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees have been recorded across Europe. About 40 per cent of young people have been displaced from their homes. Two million have left the country. Families face increased challenges stemming from military conscription. Female-headed and single-earner households are expected to grow, along with a rise in households with individuals with disabilities. In 2020, before the full-scale invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic, the average life expectancy was 71.4 years, the lowest rate in Europe. These demographic changes require a focus on strengthening demographic resilience. Safeguarding and investing in human capital are needed through empowering women, promoting gender equality, and creating a more inclusive economy and society, to facilitate the recovery and promote sustainable development. By applying a demographic resilience approach, UNFPA will support GoU to effectively address a complex set of demographic challenges exacerbated by the war that may impede early recovery efforts, pose threats to the demographic future, and jeopardize the achievement of its national development priorities.

The project is tailored to meet these challenges by leveraging UNFPA’s established expertise in demographic resilience. The Government of Ukraine (GoU) recognizes the critical need for comprehensive, accurate, and timely population data to inform social policy making, national budgeting, and recovery/development planning. In that regard, GoU requires continued technical assistance and support in its efforts to strengthen the use of population data and estimates in Ukraine.

Through the project, central and local authorities will be trained to anticipate and plan for new demographic futures and better target scarce public resources for critical interventions and investments.

The project will empower Ukraine to address its demographic challenges proactively and effectively by:

• Strengthening national capacity for data collection, analysis, and utilisation.
• Improving the accuracy and granularity of population estimates and projections.
• Informing evidence and rights-based policies and programmes for recovery and demographic resilience.
• Operationalizing a comprehensive National Demographic Strategy to address the long-term demographic needs of Ukraine.

Requirements for candidates:

• 3 years of experience in Public Administration, Public Health, Management, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Social Sciences, or other related fields;

• Relevant practical experience working in design, planning, monitoring, and delivery of technical assistance programs/projects is an asset;

• Experience of work with health authorities is an asset;

• Good background knowledge on development issues and /or areas related to the UNFPA mandate, particularly sexual and reproductive health, organizing training for health professionals and health response to GBV is an asset;

• Excellent writing, editing, desk-research and verbal communication skills;

• Good knowledge of visual design and layout development for information materials is desirable;

• Proficiency in MS Office package, Google applications and teleconferencing tools;

• Experience of working at or with a UN agency or other international organization is an asset.

• Excellent self-organisation and proactive attitude to work;

• Good research and analytical skills, and ability to multi-task and prioritise workload;

• Good interpersonal, networking, presentation and communication skills;

• Experience of working for international projects of technical assistance (will be an advantage);

• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;

• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;

• Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Public Health, Management, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Social Sciences, or other related fields

• Ukrainian, Level: Fluent, Required
• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

You will have the opportunity to apply your talent while working for a noble cause. UN Volunteers receive a monthly living allowance (VLA), as well as life insurance and full health insurance.

This position comes with the following benefits and entitlements for UN Volunteers (National UN Youth Volunteer):

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) (equivalent in UAH): USD 1,270
• Medical and life insurance: Cigna Private Insurance
• Annual leave: 30 days
• Certified sick leave: 30 days annually
• Uncertified sick leave: 7 days annually
• Learning leave: 10 days annually

To apply for a vacancy, please first register on the UN Volunteers platform https://app.unv.org/ and send an application using this link: https://app.unv.org/opportunities/1767398261374208

The final date to apply is October 4 inclusive.