Consultant on NIAs in the Asian and the Pacific Region

Result of ServiceUnder the overall supervision of the Chief of Sustainable Demographic Transition Section or her designate, the consultant is required to train policymakers on using NIAs for estimates and evidence that enhance policymaking in the Asian and pacific region. Work LocationRemotely Expected duration04/03/25-20/12/25 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Asia-Pacific region has experienced remarkable economic growth and dynamism; at the same time, it has also experienced significant demographic change, with declines in mortality and fertility, coupled with increases in longevity. Despite this progress, challenges remain, such as persistent high levels of poverty and inequality, large numbers of people working in the informal sector and high levels of maternal mortality among certain population groups. Moreover, climate change, natural disasters, COVID-19 and digitalization have affected populations throughout the region. Ensuring that “no one will be left behind” is a central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To assess gaps across population groups and deliver on this promise requires data disaggregation beyond averages. Disaggregation is especially important in addressing the twin goals of inclusion and sustainability in the context of population ageing. As noted in the report from the UN Economists Network (2020), population ageing is a global megatrend which presents important economic, fiscal, and social challenges and opportunities. Population ageing has been especially rapid in Asia and the Pacific. The provision of technical assistance to Member States in the estimation and use of new systems of disaggregated National Accounts is part of the capacity development effort of ESCAP in accordance with its mandates to provide assistance to Member States in enhancing population and development policies and plans. The 2002 Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA) is the global guiding document on population ageing which aim at “building a society for all ages”. One of the priority directions of MIPAA, “older persons and development”, addresses decent work and the ageing workforce, intergenerational solidarity and income security, social protection/social security, and poverty prevention. These topics are closely related to National Inclusion Accounts. In accordance with General Assembly and ECOSOC resolutions, regional commissions (including ESCAP) supported member States in conducting national reviews of MIPAA and convening a regional review in 2022, leading up to the global review at the Commission for Social Development, in 2023. In this context, the technical documentation and training activities to be undertaken under the project in question would enhance the evidence base in following up to the recent MIPAA reviews and in anticipation of the 2027 Asia-Pacific regional review. To enhance capacity of governments in the Asia-Pacific region to develop evidence-based, policies for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the aforementioned context of socioeconomic development and population ageing, and build upon National Transfer Accounts (NTA), National Inclusion Accounts (NIAs) disaggregate national economic statistics by age and socioeconomic status. NIAs help identify and describe how economic resources are shared between population groups. This type of accounting is needed for long-term forecasts of the costs and funding sources for social protection, education, and health-care programmes to ensure their fiscal sustainability and distributional equity. This is background to the UN Development Account’s 15th tranche project, “Inclusive and sustainable economic growth in a society for all ages in the post-COVID-19 era in Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean,” implemented by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). In Asia and the Pacific, the project aims to strengthen capacities in four target pilot countries (Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Maldives and Viet Nam) to use NIAs for evidence-based policymaking. With the above in mind, a consultant is required to train policymakers on how to effectively use NIAs to develop estimates that will enhance the evidence base and the ability to make better=informed polices, and produce a related report (approximately 20-30 pages) with analysis of the estimates from the four Asia-Pacific target countries, conclusions and policy recommendations. The consultant is expected to have in-depth knowledge of NIAs and sociodemographic issues, including how these relate to the Asia-Pacific region. The consultant should have a background in policy analysis. Excellent drafting and communication skills. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in social sciences, demography, statistics, or similar is required. Established record of conducting research and training on National Transfer Accounts and National Inclusion Accounts, as well as sociodemographic issues are required. Excellent experience in working on population and development issues, National Transfer Accounts and National Inclusion Accounts, as well as in drafting papers in social demography and population ageing required. Understanding of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and related documents, such as the Madrid International Plan of Action, is desirable. The consultant should have a background in policy analysis. LanguagesExcellent command in English speaking and writing is required. Excellent drafting and communication skills. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.