Application Guide

How to Apply for International Consultant: Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Applied Research Capacity (CART)

at ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

🏢 About ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

ESCAP is the UN's regional development arm for Asia and the Pacific, uniquely positioned to drive sustainable development across 53 member states. Working here offers direct impact on improving civil registration systems that affect millions of people's legal identity and access to services, with a focus on vulnerable populations often excluded from official records.

About This Role

This consultant role focuses on building research capacity for CRVS systems through direct mentorship of approximately 20 participants across two cohorts, requiring both online facilitation and in-person workshop leadership in Nairobi. The position is impactful because it directly strengthens local expertise to improve birth/death registration systems, which are foundational for achieving SDG targets on legal identity and vital statistics.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves morning virtual check-ins with CART coordinators, followed by reviewing and providing feedback on participant submissions against marking schedules. Afternoons might include facilitating online discussion forums, preparing Nairobi workshop materials, and coordinating with other consultants across time zones to ensure consistent mentoring approaches.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years experience in CRVS systems, public health statistics, or demographic research with demonstrated mentoring/teaching experience
  • Proven ability to facilitate multicultural, multilingual online learning environments (Asia-Pacific context preferred)
  • Experience designing and delivering training workshops for government officials or UN agencies
  • Strong project coordination skills with ability to manage multiple deadlines and provide constructive feedback on research deliverables

📝 Tips for Applying to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

1

Highlight specific experience with CRVS systems in Asia-Pacific countries - mention specific countries or regional initiatives you've worked on

2

Demonstrate your virtual mentoring approach by describing a past experience where you successfully guided researchers through online modules

3

Reference ESCAP's CRVS Decade (2015-2024) or their Regional Action Framework to show you understand their strategic priorities

4

Include examples of how you've adapted training for participants with varying levels of statistical/research background

5

Mention any experience with UN marking systems or assessment frameworks, as timely feedback is explicitly required

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your direct experience mentoring researchers or professionals in CRVS/demographic fields, with specific metrics if available (e.g., 'mentored X participants who completed Y research projects')", 'How you would approach the dual delivery mode: online mentoring and in-person workshop facilitation in Nairobi', "Understanding of ESCAP's role in the Asia-Pacific region and how this consultancy advances their CRVS goals", 'Your ability to work within UN systems and coordinate with multiple stakeholders across time zones']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → ESCAP's CRVS Knowledge Gateway and their recent 'Get Every One in the Picture' regional reports
  • → The specific challenges of CRVS systems in Asia-Pacific countries (e.g., Pacific island nations' unique challenges)
  • → ESCAP's previous CART initiatives and their participant countries to understand the program's evolution
  • → UN's Legal Identity Agenda and how ESCAP's work contributes to SDG target 16.9

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to providing constructive feedback on research deliverables within tight deadlines (10 working days)
2 How would you handle participants with varying levels of statistical proficiency in the same cohort?
3 What experience do you have facilitating workshops in multicultural settings, particularly in Africa or Asia-Pacific?
4 How would you contribute to developing the Nairobi workshop agenda to maximize learning outcomes?
5 Describe a time you had to coordinate with multiple team members remotely on a capacity-building project
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic teaching/mentoring experience without CRVS or vital statistics context
  • Failing to acknowledge the remote coordination aspect while also preparing for in-person Nairobi workshop
  • Not demonstrating understanding of ESCAP's regional focus - confusing it with global UN agencies

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to ESCAP - Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific!

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