Hiring Office:

UNFPA Ukraine Country Office (CO)

Purpose of consultancy:

Since 2020, UNFPA has been working together with the State Statistics Service of Ukraine (SSSU) on transitioning from the traditional population census methodology to the register-based census methodology in Ukraine to be used for the 2030 round of censuses. In November-December 2020 UNFPA and SSSU have jointly held an international web forum to launch a wide discussion regarding the feasibility of organizing a register-based population census in Ukraine. The forum gathered government officials, statisticians, data producers and administrators, researchers, representatives of the private sector and civil society, as well as prominent experts from the UN system, Eurostat and countries that already use administrative records for demographic censuses or are developing projects in this area (Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and the UK). All forum materials are available through a dedicated UNFPA resource depository. The forum concluded with establishing an international partnership between the Government of Ukraine, Statistics Ukraine, UNFPA, UNECE and leading international census experts to develop a roadmap for Ukraine to transition from a traditional to a register-based census for the 2030 round of censuses, and signing a respective joint statement. Partners collaborate in an international working group (WG) set up by SSSU, with a draft roadmap document to be submitted for Government’s review and appraisal before the end of 2021.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support SSSU in analysing the administrative data ecosystem as may be related to Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census, identifying the barriers and gaps that need to be eliminated to enable a register-based census, and developing recommendations on the registers and statistics infrastructure development.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities or outputs)

The Consultant shall closely cooperate with SSSU, other WG members and other stakeholders on developing a roadmap document for Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census. More specifically, the following tasks shall be accomplished by the Consultant:

1. To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the administrative data ecosystem of Ukraine (including scope, sources, registers, storage, security, processing, exchange, hardware, software, personal identifiers and data linkage/semantic integration etc.) as related to Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census. To identify the barriers and gaps in the existing administrative data ecosystem that prevent the implementation of a register-based census in line with the international standards. To provide recommendations on the changes that must be introduced to ensure a successful register-based census.
2. To conduct consultations and working meetings with the representatives of SSSU and other stakeholders required for the analysis of the administrative data ecosystem necessary for Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census in 2030.
3. To prepare and present to the WG draft sections of the census transition roadmap document to include the following:

-       Analysis of the administrative data ecosystem of Ukraine (including scope, sources, registers, storage, security, processing, exchange, hardware, software, personal identifiers and data linkage/semantic integration etc.) as related to Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census.

-       Specific, actionable and targeted practical recommendations for the development of administrative data registers and statistical infrastructure necessary for Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census.

To account for the recommendations of the WG members regarding the draft document contents.

The Consultant should review all relevant materials, introduce changes to the draft document and have it agreed by SSSU before their finalization.

Expected deliverables from the consultancy:

Census transition roadmap document with the following elements:

1. Comprehensive and detailed analysis of the current administrative data ecosystem (availability, sufficiency, gaps, alignment with the international standards, personal identifiers and data linkage/semantic integration) required for Ukraine’s transition to the register-based census in the 2030 census round. The analysis must come out complete with conclusions regarding the problems in the existing administrative data ecosystem that currently impede the conduction of a register-based census in Ukraine according to international standards.

2. Recommendations on solving the problems mentioned in paragraph 1 above, a list of registers that can be used for a register-based census, recommendations on developing the SSSU statistical and technical infrastructure in order to enable the transition to a register-based census, as well as proposals regarding the setup of information exchange and selection or development of a data exchange platform.

The finalized document, after working through and incorporating remarks and recommendations by WG members into the text of respective sections, must be presented at a WG meeting for endorsement.

Duration and working schedule:

The consultancy should begin as of the date of signing the consultancy contract and continue for no longer than three months, unless otherwise agreed between SSSU, UNFPA and the consultant in writing. This is a full-time job.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Kyiv, Ukraine

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

The Consultant’s work outputs will be delivered through electronic communications unless otherwise agreed by UNFPA and the Consultant. All duties should be performed within the agreed timeframes, with no delays.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Any obstacles to the progress of works and/or anticipated deviations from the agreed timelines should be substantiated and communicated to the Supervisor well in advance, along with suggested remedies.

The payment schedule is monthly instalments paid upon acceptance of monthly progress reports by the SSSU and UNFPA.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The Consultant’s work will be coordinated and supervised by Mr. Igor Verner, Chair, State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Programmatic advice and support will be provided by Mr. Oleg Voronenko, UNFPA Expert on Population and Development and Ms. Tetiana Tyshchuk, National Coordinator for Census Transition Roadmap Development for Ukraine

Expected travel:

No duty travel is expected.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

• Advanced degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Technical science or related field
• At least 3 years of work experience in the area of audit or administering state administrative data registers and personal data protection
• Knowledge and practical experience in registers cross-referencing, data linkage and integration
• Good knowledge of Ukraine’s statistical data flows, infrastructure and data processing systems, IT-based inter-agency information exchange infrastructure, in particular the system of electronic interaction between state electronic information resources
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written Ukrainian   
• Working knowledge of English language                            

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner

The SSSU and UNFPA will provide necessary support and equipment to the Consultant at all stages of the assignment as may be required by the nature of work. 

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Any remarks, proposals, complaints or claims to the Consultant regarding services being provided in line with these terms of reference should be submitted to the Consultant in writing within 10 days of submission of consultancy deliverables or reports by the Consultant. The scope of works to be performed by the Consultant under these terms of reference, as well as other conditions of the consultancy, could be modified, if required, through a written agreement between the Consultant and UNFPA.

Intellectual property. All information pertaining to this assignment (documentary, pictures, digital, cyber, project documents etc.) belonging to UNFPA, which the Consultant may come into contact with in the performance of his/her duties shall remain the property of UNFPA which shall have exclusive rights over their use. Except for purposes of this assignment, information shall not be disclosed to the public nor used in whatever without the written permission of UNFPA in line with the national and international copyright laws applicable.