International Consultant (SPR Methodology & Data Quality)

Description

Project Context and Scope:

The State Statistics Service of Ukraine (SSSU), with support from IOM, is advancing work on the development of a register-based population model and related information and communication technology (ICT) systems for data processing, exchange, analysis and visualization. This work is intended to strengthen the production of official statistics on the de facto population in Ukraine, including its demographic characteristics, mobility and migration, through the improved use of administrative data sources and state registers.

The initiative will support the production of timely and accurate population estimates, including by sex, age and regional distribution, and is aligned with UNECE and Eurostat recommendations as well as Ukraine’s preparation for EU accession, particularly under acquis Chapter 18 “Statistics” and Chapter 22 “Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments” with Regulation (EU) 2025/2458 on European Statistics on Population and Housing (ESOP, adopted September 2025, applicable from 2028).It is also important for future preparation for a national population census after the end of Russia’s war against Ukraine, taking into account war-related migration dynamics, including returns from abroad, and for improving the inclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in national and local estimates. Overall, this support is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity of the SSSU, contribute to preparation for the 2030 census round, and further align Ukraine’s statistical system with international and European standards.

Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Data & Analytics programme, IOM Ukraine

Responsibilities

Tasks to be performed under this contract:

1. Methodological design of the Statistical Population Register:

• develop the overall methodological concept for the creation and maintenance of a Statistical Population Register;

• propose a framework for record linkage, matching, merging and synchronization across multiple administrative sources;

• develop methodological rules for aligning reference periods across registers with different update cycles;

• define approaches for inclusion and exclusion of persons in the Statistical Population Register;

• propose principles for forming an integrated population database from multiple registers;

• specify the priority variable set for SPR v1 outputs (population by sex, single-year age, oblast/raion/hromada, IDP status, basic civil status) and propose harmonisation rules between source-register definitions and Eurostat-aligned output definitions;

• adapt the ESOP harmonised usual-residence definition to the Ukrainian register landscape, including war-specific sub-population rules (IDPs, refugees abroad, occupied territories, returnees);

• develop the identifier strategy for the SPR;

• propose approaches for forming households and families based on register data;

• define principles for establishing the reference population and population universe;

• develop a high-level framework for integrating register data with geospatial information;

• develop a high-level methodological framework for territorial allocation and for the future production of population statistics on a 1 km² grid basis, in line with relevant EU requirements;

2. Framework for assessment of administrative data quality:

• develop a methodology for assessing the quality of administrative data and registers used for population statistics;

• define data quality dimensions and criteria, including relevance, accuracy and reliability, timeliness and punctuality, coherence and comparability, accessibility and interpretability, institutional environment;

• propose a structured framework for evaluating the suitability of administrative registers for integration into a Statistical Population Register;

• develop approaches for identifying under-coverage, over-coverage, duplication and other common register quality issues;

• propose procedures for documenting detected errors, inconsistencies and quality risks;

• develop recommendations for quality control procedures and ongoing quality assurance mechanisms;

• develop the template structure for documenting data quality, limitations, errors and corrective actions.

3. Consolidation and cross-stream alignment:

• align methodological proposals with findings from the audit of administrative sources and legal/regulatory review conducted under related consultancies, as applicable;

• ensure that methodological and quality outputs are prepared in a form that can inform the development of technical architecture, functional requirements and future ICT solutions for the Statistical Population Register;

• provide practical recommendations for methodological and quality assurance arrangements supporting the future Statistical Population Register.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Deliverable 1: Inception note and integrated framework outline, delivered by July 15, 2026

This deliverable will include:

• an inception note with proposed approach, workplan and key assumptions;

• an outline of the methodological concept for the Statistical Population Register;

• an outline of the administrative data quality assessment framework;

• identification of key methodological and quality issues to be addressed, including record linkage and synchronization, identifier strategy for the SPR, inclusion/exclusion logic, ESOP-aligned usual residence with war-specific sub-population rules, household formation, priority variable set and standardization rules, territorial/geospatial allocation, confidentiality and data quality dimensions;

• a proposed structure of the full methodology and data quality package.

Deliverable 2: Draft methodological package, delivered by July 31, 2026

This deliverable will include:

• a draft concept for the creation and maintenance of the Statistical Population Register with a high-level geospatial component;

• a draft framework for record linkage, synchronization, inclusion/exclusion rules and integrated population database design;

• a draft methodology for ESOP-aligned usual residence (including war-specific sub-population rules), household/family formation, the identifier strategy for the SPR,  and harmonisation rules between source-register definitions and Eurostat-aligned output definitions for the priority variable set;

• a draft high-level methodological framework for territorial allocation and future production of population statistics on a 1 km² grid basis;

• initial draft recommendations on validation, editing, deduplication, treatment of missing or inconsistent data, and regular updating logic.

Deliverable 3: Draft data quality and consolidated methodology package, delivered by August 15, 2026

This deliverable will include:

• a draft methodology for assessing the quality of administrative data and registers used for population statistics;

• a draft framework of quality dimensions, criteria and indicators built on the six standard dimensions: relevance; accuracy and reliability; timeliness and punctuality; coherence and comparability; accessibility and interpretability; institutional environment;

• draft templates and procedures for documenting under-coverage, over-coverage, duplication, inconsistencies and other register quality issues;

• a consolidated draft package aligning the methodological and data quality components;

• draft recommendations on quality assurance arrangements, documentation practices, and handling of data quality risks relevant to the future Statistical Population Register.

Deliverable 4: Final methodology and data quality package, delivered by August 31, 2026

This deliverable will include:

• the final revised methodological package for the Statistical Population Register, incorporating comments from IOM and designated stakeholders;

• the final data quality assessment methodology and framework for administrative data and registers;

• the final set of template structures and guidance for documentation of errors, risks and corrective actions;

• final recommendations for methodological and quality assurance arrangements supporting the future Statistical Population Register;

• a presentation of key findings and recommendations to IOM and designated stakeholders.

Performance indicators for the evaluation of results

• Timely submission of Deliverable 1, Deliverable 2, Deliverable 3 and Deliverable 4.

• Technical quality, clarity and completeness of methodological outputs. 

• Practical relevance of recommendations to the Ukrainian institutional and data context. 

• Alignment with relevant Eurostat and UN recommendations.  

• Responsiveness to feedback from IOM and stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree in Demography, Statistics, Population Studies, Social Statistics, Data Science, Geography/GIS, Economics, or a related field.

Required experience

• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in population statistics, statistical population registers, census methodology, or administrative data integration.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in the development, implementation or maintenance of a Statistical Population Register.

• Experience working with administrative data from multiple information systems.

• Experience working with geospatial data or geocoded statistical information.

• Experience in international technical assistance or advisory projects.

• Strong knowledge of Eurostat and/or UN recommendations on register-based statistics and population registers.

• Proven experience drafting technical or methodological reports in English.

Desirable experience

• Experience with register-based or combined censuses.

• Experience working with a national statistical office or similar public statistical institution.

• Familiarity with EU territorial typologies and grid-based statistics.

• Experience in contexts of population displacement, migration, or post-crisis statistical reconstruction.

Skills

• Strong methodological and analytical drafting skills. 

• Ability to translate international standards into operational recommendations. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 

• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.

Languages

• Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in Ukrainian would be an advantage.

Behavioural 

• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism; 

• Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;

• Promotes continuous learning; 

• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility; 

• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management; 

• Contributes to a collegial team environment;

• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives and concerns; promotes equal gender participation.

   

   

Travel required

Travel duties may be required.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

IOM covers Consultants against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the consultancy. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Consultants are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies