Economic Analysis Associate

Host entity: UNFPA

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Information technology and telecommunications

Application deadline: 19/10/2026

Mission and objectives

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is a voluntary-funded international organization with a presence in over 150 countries, including Nepal. UNFPA is guided by the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals. Its mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

The work of UNFPA is based on the premise that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and protections. We focus on women and young people because these are groups whose ability to exercise their right to sexual and reproductive health is often compromised. Our work is informed by an understanding of population dynamics, human rights and cultural sensitivity.

Assignment context

UNFPA has been operating in Nepal since 1971, partnering with federal, provincial, and local governments, civil society organizations, and development partners to ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health services, especially for women, adolescents, and marginalized groups. UNFPA Nepal is implementing its Ninth Country Programme (2023–2027), which focuses on achieving three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, eliminating unmet need for family planning, and eradicating gender-based violence and harmful practices. The programme is closely aligned with Nepal’s national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023–2027).

Nepal is undergoing a profound demographic transition. Declining fertility, population ageing, large-scale migration, urbanization, changing family and household structures, and significant geographic disparities are reshaping the country's development trajectory. These changes have important implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, adolescents and youth, labour markets, social protection, the care economy, public services and public finance.

As Nepal prepares for these transitions, there is a growing need to move beyond the production and use of population data towards demographic intelligence, translating demographic evidence, projections and foresight into actionable policy, planning, financing and programme decisions. This also requires greater attention to demographic adaptation, ensuring that policies, institutions, services and investments evolve in response to changing population structures while safeguarding rights, choices and reproductive agency.

The development and implementation of UNFPA Nepal's Tenth Country Programme (CP10) provide an opportunity to strengthen this approach and support national and subnational institutions to better anticipate and respond to demographic change. In this context, the candidate will provide dedicated technical and economic analysis expertise to advance this agenda, in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and its emphasis on adaptation to demographic change.

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.

Task description

Under the overall guidance of the Representative and direct supervision of Deputy Representative, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Technical & analytical support (Demographic Intelligence & Economic Analysis)
• Support to conduct in-depth economic and demographic analyses using national census data, household surveys, and international databases to generate evidence on economic activity, education, household assets, labor markets, and living conditions.
• Support to develop demographic intelligence products, translating demographic projections, evidence, and foresight into actionable insights regarding public finance, social protection, the care economy, and public services.
• Provide support for analysis of the impact of key demographic transitions-such as declining fertility, population ageing, migration trends, the youth bulge, and female-headed households-on Nepal's socio-economic development and economic graduation trajectory.

2. Policy & strategic guidance (demographic adaptation & strategic planning)
• Support to prepare technical and policy briefs to UNFPA team, government entities, and development partners on establishing demographic adaptation as a core capability.
• Support in coordinating with the government counterparts and relevant line ministries in relation to integrating demographic-economic evidence into national development plans, provincial periodic plans, and population policies.
• Draft policy briefs, technical background documents, and strategic papers linking demographic shifts with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) acceleration and the UN-FPA Strategic Plan 2026–2029.

3. Institutional capacity strengthening
• Assist in designing and implement technical capacity-building initiatives for national and subnational government counterparts to anticipate and respond effectively to demographic change.
• Assist in organizing and conducting technical orientations, workshops, and training sessions for national demographers, statisticians, and economic planners.

4. Strategic partnerships & high-level national dialogues
• Contribute in providing necessary coordination support pertaining to multi-stakeholder collaboration among key government line ministries, UN agencies, civil society, academic institutions, and international development partners.
• Prepare background presentations, analytical input, and technical content for high-level national consultation events, policy dialogues, and relevant forums.

5. Programme integration & coordination
• In collaboration with UNFPA country office programme teams and external experts ensure cross-thematic alignment across population dynamics, gender equality, migration, and youth agendas.
• Assist in formulating and implementing workplans with clear deliverables, monitoring frameworks, and regular progress reporting to UNFPA programme team and senior management.

Skills and experience

Demonstrated interest and/or experience of up to two years in economic and demographic analysis, population issues, policy research, quantitative data analysis and evidence-based strategy development, including:

1. Analysing large-scale datasets, such as national population and housing census data, national living standards surveys, labour force surveys and other socioeconomic datasets.
2. Using statistical software, such as Stata, SPSS or R, and data-visualization tools.
3. Analysing demographic transitions and their implications for national development, including demographic dividend opportunities, population ageing, labour migration, youth employment, household tenure and assets, and social protection.
4. Preparing technical reports, policy briefs, presentations or other analytical products and translating complex demographic and economic data into clear, actionable in-sights for decision-makers.
5. Working or volunteering with government institutions, UN agencies, international development partners, civil society organizations, or academic and research institutions in Nepal or a comparable development context.
6. Demonstrating strong technical writing, policy-drafting and presentation skills in English.
7. Previous volunteer experience and/or experience in another cultural setting, including through studies, volunteer work or internships, would be highly regarded.


Skills in:
• Technical skills in analyzing large-scale datasets, such as national population and housing census data, national living standards surveys, and labor force surveys.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R) and data visualization tools is required.
• Excellent technical writing, policy drafting, and presentation skills in English, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex demographic-economic statistics into actionable insights for decision-makers.

Competencies and values

Accountability
Adaptability and Flexibility
Building Trust
Commitment and Motivation
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Communication
Creativity
Ethics and Values
Integrity
Judgement and Decision-making
Knowledge Sharing
Planning and Organizing
Professionalism
Respect for Diversity
Self-Management
Technological Awareness
Working in Teams

Living conditions

The UN Volunteer will be based in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Kathmandu is categorized as a B duty station by the United Nations, indicating a family duty station with generally good living conditions. The city offers access to local and imported goods, supermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops and social venues. Public transportation is readily available, while taxis are common and reasonably priced. Bicycles and motorcycles are also widely used.
Kathmandu has a temperate climate, with cool winters, warm summers and a monsoon season generally extending from June to September. Traffic congestion, air pollution and water quality remain environmental challenges. It is advisable to use filtered drinking water and wear a face mask, particularly in high-traffic or dusty areas. Healthcare services are available, with several hospitals and clinics providing basic and specialized care. While the city is generally safe, standard precautions should always be observed.

A range of furnished and unfurnished accommodation is available. Leases are typically taken for a minimum of six months. Guest houses and bed-and-breakfast accommodation may cost approximately USD 800 per month, including breakfast. A one-bedroom or studio apartment may cost USD 300–600 per month, while a one- or two-bedroom apartment may cost USD 500–1,000 per month. Local real estate agents can assist prospective tenants in identifying suitable options.

The cost of living varies depending primarily on the type and location of accommodation. Estimated monthly expenses for international personnel are approximately USD 800. Many local restaurants and cafés offer meals at reasonable prices, generally ranging from USD 2 to USD 5.

Nepal is culturally, linguistically and geographically diverse, and the volunteer is expected to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect for local customs. The assignment may require occasional travel outside Kathmandu, where infrastructure, transportation, communications and access to services may be more limited. The UN Volunteer should therefore be flexible, able to adapt to different working and living environments, and prepared to comply with applicable UN security guidance. Nepal provides an interesting and enriching working environment but may require stamina, commitment and a mature level of cultural awareness, particularly during travel to locations involving more difficult conditions and limited amenities.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.