International Consultant: Data Processing Consultant for 2026 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS)

The Position:

The Royal Government of Cambodia, through the National Institute of Statistics (NIS), is implementing the 2026 Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) as a nationally representative household survey using CAPI. CDHS serves as the country's primary source of data on population health, reproductive health, family planning, maternal and child health, gender-based violence, and related indicators. UNFPA, along with UNICEF and other development partners, are providing technical support towards the implementation of the survey. 

The process started from September 2025 with a questionnaire developed and consulted with national stakeholders. A one-month training was provided to enumerators and supervisors covering the understanding of the questionnaire, the skills needed to conduct interviews and the use of CAPI tablets. The Khmer questionnaire version was integrated into the tablet data entry system (QSF files), which were used to program the CAPI system. The CSWeb system was set up for data transfer. 

There were country specific questions and new modules/sections added to the CDHS questionnaire namely: Social Protection, Drowning, Mental Health, Child Functioning, Technology-Facilitated Gender Based Violence. 

See report of Phase I for details as in annex: 

Currently, the CDHS is progressing with data collection underway until July, toward data finalization and report production (August–December 2026). Following the completion of the initial technical assistance phase from October 2025 until March 2026 provided by UNFPA and partners, this second phase of technical assistance is required to ensure the final CDHS report meets the highest international DHS standards for coherence, quality, and accuracy. 

This phase of assistance is focused on the successful technical execution of CAPI data management, final data cleaning, file processing, and statistical preparation for the CDHS 2026. The expert will work remotely under the technical supervision of the Senior Technical Consultant to ensure all data outputs adhere to the highest international DHS quality standards and are prepared for archiving. The expert will ensure NIS is fully supported in CAPI maintenance, data quality control, and final recode file production and data archives from May through December 2026.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

You would be responsible for:

Specific Tasks and Activities Phase II:

The Data Processing Expert will perform the following technical execution tasks, with all work done remotely:

A. CAPI Data Management and Field Quality Control (June–July 2026)

• Ensure the smooth remote operation of CAPI data collection throughout the remaining fieldwork period (until July 2026), providing technical support for CAPI software and tablet maintenance and troubleshoots.
• Maintain, update, and generate the real-time field check tables/dashboards (including the specific Field Check Tables for the DV module) as per DHS standards and direction from the Senior Consultant.
• Provide regular, secure data transfers and monitoring reports/tables to the Senior Technical Consultant for quality assessment and oversight. 

B. Data Cleaning, Analysis Preparation, and Archiving (August–December 2026)

• Lead the comprehensive data cleaning process, resolving data inconsistencies, and managing the final merging and tabulation processes in compliance with international DHS data processing guidelines.
• Prepare the final data files for analysis, including the creation of all necessary indices, weights, and standard recode variables according to DHS standard recode file specifications (see the bottom table for details).
• Provide hands-on statistical programming and tabulation support to the joint analysis team (NIS, MOH, MOWA) during the remote report writing phase, ensuring all figures and tables are statistically accurate.
• Execute the final data anonymization and structuring according to NIS requirements and the archiving strategy guided by the Senior Consultant.

C. Capacity Building and Documentation

• Conduct hands-on training (remotely) for NIS data processing staff on advanced data cleaning, manipulation, and statistical analysis techniques relevant to DHS data management.
• Document all data processing procedures, CAPI syntax, quality control steps, and the final data file structure for internal NIS use and external archiving.

Output Criteria for Satisfactory Completion Due Date (Tentative) CAPI Data Management Completion Report Report detailing CAPI performance, data anomalies encountered during fieldwork (May–July), the final structure of real-time check tables, and steps taken to ensure data completeness. Report should include key indicator monitoring (agreed with NIS and UNFPA) and highlight progress, challenges and proposed remedial actions. 

July 31, 2026

 

Day: 23 

(30% of total payment)

Cleaned and Finalized Master Data Files All survey data files (Household, Woman, Man, etc.) are cleaned, merged, and correctly weighted, with all variables matching DHS standard data definitions, ready for producing preliminary and final reports, certified by the Senior Consultant.

August 31, 2026

 

Day: 25

(30% of total payment)

Data Processing Documentation Package A complete set of final data processing syntax, data cleaning logs, and comprehensive metadata for the final data set, ready for DHS archiving/dissemination.

November 30, 2026

 

Day: 30

(30% of total payment)

Final Contract Report

A structured report aligned to the example linked below summarizing the assignment with: (1) Executive Summary; (2) Activities and Methodologies (remote work performed); (3) Key Technical Achievements (e.g., final data quality metrics); (4) Challenges and Lessons Learned in CAPI/data processing; (5) Recommendations for NIS data management systems. 

 

The report should cover at the minimum actions and tasks completed by the consultant, any issues identified and remedial actions by the consultant, and recommendations and links to all final materials and products (editable and PDF)

December 31, 2026

 

Day: 2

(10% of total payment)

Work schedule and arrangements: The consultant will work remotely and work under technical supervision of a senior consultant to ensure quality standards and coherence. Remote work will be coordinated with UNFPA Cambodia and NIS teams through regular virtual meetings and progress reports. 

Total Level of Effort (Phase II): ~ estimated 80 working days.

Contract period: June to December 2026 (Phase II).

Payment will be made in installments upon satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables. UNFPA does not pay a daily rate – estimated days are provided to guide applicants only. This is a results-based contract with payments tied to successful delivery of outputs in a quality manner. Please refer to the table above for details.

The consultant will work remotely and should be available during reasonable working hours that overlap with the Phnom Penh time zone (UTC+7) to facilitate communication with the UNFPA team and NIS counterparts.

Please refer to the ToR for all the details.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Advanced degree (Masters or higher) in demography, statistics, public health, or related field
• Advanced degree and/or skills in survey ICT

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Over 10 years of experience managing and providing technical support for large-scale household surveys, with deep expertise in Demographic and Health Survey protocols and international standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing), including advanced programming, data processing, and transitioning traditional survey methods into digital formats. 
• Strong capabilities in statistical analysis and data processing using industry-standard software to transform complex datasets into actionable insights. 
• Extensive experience in survey quality assurance and rigorous field monitoring to ensure data accuracy and procedural compliance. 
• Proven ability to handle the end-to-end survey process, from initial design and ICT-based data processing to final analysis. 
• Familiarity with Cambodia’s specific DHS context and operational landscape is an asset 

Languages: 

• Fluency in English (required)
• Khmer language skills are an asset

Communication Skills:

• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively and remotely with diverse stakeholders

Additional Requirements:

• Experience working with UN agencies or international organizations is preferred
• Strong project management and coordination skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to local contexts

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, 
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.