Population Policy Development Specialist - Remote [International]

The Position:

The Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination (MNPDC), in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO), is reviewing the current National Population Policy and will be developing a new SINPP for 2027–2036.

This review responds to the 2019 National Population and Housing Census, which projects continued population growth for several decades. To ensure sustainable development, demographic trends must be systematically integrated into national and provincial planning. The NPP 2027–2036 will harmonize population dynamics with economic and social development and improve the quality of life for all Solomon Islanders.

As a strategic framework, the NPP complements sectoral policies and draws on the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016–2035. It provides the central mechanism for government coordination, monitoring, and evaluation of population and development issues, while also addressing areas not currently covered by existing institutions.

The Consultant will report directly to the UNFPA PSRO Population and Development Technical Advisor in collaboration with the Programme Specialist, UNFPA Solomon Islands field office; and the Ministry of National Planning and Development Coordination’s Deputy Secretary, Programme Development Coordination and Monitoring Group (PDCMG), and the Director of the Social Development and Governance Division. 

• Deliverables will be delivered remotely, however the consultant is expected to travel to Honiara, Solomon Islands to conduct the National Validation Workshop. Travel may also be required to at least two provinces out of nine provinces in the Solomon Islands for provincial consultations. Travel costs for any designated and approved travel will be provided by UNFPA. 
• Office space and meeting rooms can be made available in the UNFPA Solomon Islands field office. 
• The candidate should use their own laptop and IT equipment. 
• The duration of this consultancy is for 44 days from August to December 2026.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is hiring an Individual Consultant (International) to conduct the technical review of the current Solomon Islands National Population Policy (2017-2026), and to draft the new National Population Policy (2027-2036) for the Solomon Islands. 

Deliverables will be delivered remotely, with two in-country missions to:
1) undertake two provincial consultations with stakeholders and
2) validate the policy.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Policy Specialist will perform the following tasks:

A. Integration of consultation feedback

• Finalise National Consultation Report, including Provincial Synthesis Reports.
• Update policy principles, vision, goals, objectives and implementation frameworks to reflect the realities of Solomon Islands nine provinces, and Honiara.
• Analyse and incorporate issues raised by the MNPDC and UNFPA in alignment with the outcomes of the various consultations completed in 2026.

B. Technical Refinement and policy coherence

• Address technical reviews provided by line Ministries and development partners.
• Ensure the NPP is perfectly aligned with the Solomon Islands National Development Strategy 2016-2035
• Refine the Implementation Framework in collaboration with the Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) and relevant partners to ensure indicators are measurable and baselines are accurate. 
• Develop a Monitoring & Evaluation Framework for the NPP 2027-2036. 

C. Finalisation and Validation: 

• Produce a clean version of the NPP 2027-2036, ready for formatting for high-level government review and feedback. 
• Develop a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the final changes and the strategic direction of the policy. 

D. Presentation for Endorsement: 

• Prepare the final Policy for the NPP Steering Committee. 
• Lead the presentation of the final draft at the NPP Steering Committee Meeting. 
• Address any final queries from the Steering Committee to achieve formal endorsement.

Qualifications and Experience: 
Education:  

Master’s qualification in Demography, Statistics, Social Sciences, Economics, or Geography, with specialization in demographic studies. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Experience with population and/or demographic studies. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis. 
• Experience working in the public sector, the UN, or other international development organization is an advantage. 
• Excellent oral and writing skills; excellent project management, policy formulation, and reporting writing skills. 
• Having sound statistical knowledge and analytical skills will be an advantage. 
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive. 
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment. 
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and email/internet; and 
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Languages: 

• Fluent in English.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Compensation and Benefits:

Payments will be made upon satisfactory delivery of associated deliverables and with acceptable quality by the UNFPA Representative, upon submission of Certificate of Payment and Accomplishment Report agreed by the supervisor.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.