Background

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to support the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) to create an enabling environment for KNDP results. The aim is to enhance institutional and human capacities of the CSB for evidence-based plans and policies on sustainable development.

Within this context, CSB is seeking to recruit a Specialist in Demography and Register Census to assist in developing best practices in conducting register-based census and participate in capacity building efforts and development of the statistical work conducted in the census directorate at the CSB.

KNDP Objectives:

  • Continuation of development of the tools, methodologies and resources of statistical work;
  • Enhancing areas of statistical cooperation, nationally, regionally and globally.

The assignment will also contribute to the following ICDI/KNDP project outputs:

Output 1.2:  Enhanced institutional and human capacities of the CSB for evidence-based plans and policies on sustainable development;             

Purpose and Objective:

The main purpose of the assignment is to provide advice on how to support the CSB to assist in developing best practices in conducting register-based census in Kuwait.

The specific objectives are:

  • Assess the needs and requirements for conducting the 2020 register-based census;
  • Devise and implement work plan to conduct the census;
  • Identify needed resources and build national capacities at CSB to conduct the 2020 register census.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main responsibilities and tasks of the specialist are as follows:

  • Assess the needs and requirements for conducting the 2020 register-based census;
  • Evaluate the existing registers/administrative records in Kuwait that could be used in conducting the register-based census;
  • Review and approve the minimal list of variables needed in the register-based census;
  • Devise a work plan and timetable for conducting the 2020 register-based census;
  • Coordinate with the relevant parties and data providers in issues related to data harmonization;
  • Evaluate the statistical work conducted in the census directorate and offer training sessions and on-job training to enhance it;
  • Conduct any demographic work required by the CSB;
  • Prepare, document and instil concepts and new methodologies according to best practices for designing and conducting register-based census
  • Train national staff on conducting register-based census
  • Train national staff on producing demographic and social statistics.
  • Work closely with other departments involved in the register-based census;

Training and Knowledge transfer:

  • Build the staff capacity and organize on-the-job training sessions in methodologies on how to work on the preparation of the 2020 register census;
  • Conduct training workshop sessions as required;
  • Present monthly reports to the SG and GSSCPD Project Manager highlighting key deliverables, detailed summary of the capacity building activities (number of staff trained) and recommendations for the way forward.

Indicative approaches:

A key approach in this assignment is to develop national capacities through facilitating learning from other countries experiences, training and knowledge and skills transfer to the staff of the Consultant’s Department and other methods that the specialist would determine to ensure his/her skills and experience is transferred to the department. The specialist would thus be required to submit a capacity development/expertise and knowledge transfer plan based on an understanding of the needs of the Department.

The specialist is expected to include a gender approach in all the work requirements and ensure gender sensitivity of all the deliverables which would be based on a gender analysis to ensure that the needs and specific considerations related to men and women is taken into account.

Outputs:

  • A Work Plan at the outset of the assignment including- 2 weeks;
  • Report on the capacities of the CSB’s census directorate staff and their training need as well as a training plan - End of Month 3;
  • Evaluation report on the status quo of the CSB in respect to the required consultancy;
  • A report with executive recommendations with executable action program to enhance the work of the CSB in accordance with the output of the evaluation report
  • Final report should include recommendations for future actions-End of assignment;
  • Monthly and quarterly progress reports as per standard templates- Ongoing.

Roles and Coordination Requirements

The Specialist will work under the direct management of the Assistant Undersecretary for Statistical Affairs Sector at the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB).The latter will be responsible to provide the existing information about 2020 register census project and will be responsible for approving the specialist’s deliverables.

The Specialist will also report to the Project Manager of the ICDI/KNDP project based with the Technical Cooperation and Development Support Department at the GSSCPD by submitting regular reports on progress and impact of the assignment.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Reliably delivers on promises and honours commitments, holding himself/herself accountable for actions taken ?
  • Gains cooperation from others through understanding of the political and organizational culture.
  • Helps peers to identify their unique strengths and weaknesses, training and development needs.
  • Inspires, motivates and empowers team members to excel in their responsibilities
  • Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
  • Synthesizes multiple/complex messages, identifies appropriate key points for different audiences and communicates concepts in a manner that influences the perceptions/behaviours of others. ?
  • Expresses own point of view in a neutral manner rather than in an argumentative tone, avoiding unproductive conflict.

Functional Competencies

Conceptual Innovation in the provision of technical expertise

  • Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches ?
  • Ensures that the design of policies are appropriate to regional and country social and development context ?. ?

Promoting organizational change and development

  • Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation
  • Develops communications and programmes to assist business units in their adaptation to changing environment ?

Promoting organizational Learning and knowledge sharing

  • Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Minimum Master degree in statistics or any related field
  • Ph.D. preferable in Statistics or related field is preferable but not a must;

Experience

  • More than 15 years of proven experience in similar field of statistics;
  • Proven experience in Kuwait is an advantage;
  • Previous experience in a statistical Office, and, if possible, have experience in the field of register census would be a high advantage;
  • Excellent document drafting and RFP formation skills.

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English is a must.
  • Fluency in Arabic is an advantage

Others:

  • This position will be on governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.
  • As part of the application, the applicant must attach a CV