Result of ServiceThe consultant will deliver a comprehensive assessment report of the DHS programme, grounded in the Shared Principles of the ISWGHS Task Force, by rigorously collecting, analysing, and triangulating diverse stakeholder perspectives, documentation, and data across multiple contexts. The service will culminate in evidence-based findings, validated lessons learned, and forward-looking recommendations to strengthen sustainable, country-led demographic and health data systems, to be presented to the 57th UN Statistical Commission in March 2026. Work LocationRemote Expected duration3.5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesFor four decades, the Demographic and Health Survey program (DHS) has been a cornerstone of demographic and health statistics for low- and middle-income countries. The DHS has provided high-quality, open-access and internationally-comparable data on health, nutrition and gender equality and serves as the data source for monitoring around 30 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators. A Task Force on Sustainable Demographic and Health Statistics through Surveys was established by the UN Statistical Commission in March 2025, under the Inter-Secretariat Working Group on Household Surveys (ISWGHS). The Task Force was mandated to lead efforts in supporting countries in response to the termination of the Demographic and Health Surveys and the potential reduction of other survey programmes (decision 56/118). It brings together national statistical offices, international and regional organisations and key partners to accomplish four tasks: (a) ensuring assess access to existing Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data as a public good; (b) supporting the completion of on-going DHS activities; (c) assessing the impact of the DHS’ termination and other reductions in international assistance to surveys; and (d) devising sustainable long-term solutions to demographic and health data production. More information about the above four tasks is available in the Terms of Reference of the Task Force. Within this context, the United Nations Statistics Division is seeking to hire a consultant to support an assessment of the lessons learnt from the DHS program and provide recommendations on how international support should be framed in the future to develop national capacity in producing demographic and health data through surveys. The consultancy will support activities under task (d) of the Task Force, as requested by the UN Statistical Commission. The consultant, under the supervision of UN Statistics Division and the Inter-Secretariat Working Group on Household Surveys, will collect, compile and analyse relevant and diverse stakeholder perspectives, quantitative and qualitative data in a rigorous, transparent, professional and ethical manner, and present evidence-based findings, draw conclusions, formulate lessons learnt, and develop and validate recommendations based on the assessment. The assessment should be carried out against the agreed Shared Principles for the ISWGHS Task Force on Sustainable Demographic and Health Statistics through Surveys. Specific areas to be assessed include relevance, effectiveness, impact, efficiency, and sustainability. The following activities are envisaged under the assignment: • Conduct desk review of relevant documentation related to the DHS program, including past evaluations, country reports, and technical documentation. • Incorporate findings from the three surveys carried out by the ISWGHS between March – September 2025, with (a) SDG custodian agencies; (b) DHS users and (c) national statistical offices (NSOs). • Design and carry out key informant’s interview with: o Staff from national statistical offices and ministry of health in six countries o Staff from four international agencies o Current and former staff from three donors o Three current and former staff from the DHS program implementing agency • Contribute to three regional consultations (virtual) and an in-person technical meeting that will: o bring together diverse stakeholders to discuss the findings of the interim report, validate key lessons, and consult on future directions for building national capacities for sustainable, country-led health and population data systems; o present the findings and recommendations of the final assessment report. • Analyse how the DHS program supported national statistical and data systems, its integration with national priorities, systems, and capacity development and its coordination with other national and international survey programmes. • Identify key lessons learnt from DHS across diverse country contexts. • Assess gaps and emerging needs in demographic and health data production, especially in light of evolving data ecosystems and changing funding landscapes. • Provide forward-looking recommendations on how future support could be structured to better support national ownership, sustainability and integration into national official data systems. The results of the assessment will be submitted to the 57th session of the UN Statistical Session in March 2026. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in statistics, or fields related to research and assessment methodologies. A first-level university degree, in combination with two (2) additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. At least 10 years of professional experience in statistical support and/or program or project evaluation of relevance to national and international policy making, and demonstrated knowledge of results-based management, planning, monitoring and evaluation is required Experience of lead project assessment requiring rigorous use of quantitative and qualitative research and assessment methods is required Knowledge, understanding and experience with global developments in demography and international engagement strategies are required. In-depth understanding and knowledge of issues pertaining to statistical capacity development in demographic and health survey programs is desirable. Demonstrated experience in working with global multilateral organisations including the UN and the World Bank, is desirable LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in spoken and written English is required. 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.