Flood of applications for 13 000 census positions

The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) received a staggering 101 009 applications for 13 000 temporary positions.The positions, set to be filled for the 2023 population and housing census, were for field work, while the NSA received a further 10 485 applications for 125 office-based positions. “We anticipated to receive less applications, so these figures came as a surprise," Statistician-General Alex Shimuafeni said.The census - Namibia&#039;s fourth since independence - will take place from 18 September to 3 November, while N$706 million has been allocated to the process.At a press briefing in Swakopmund yesterday, Shimuafeni said only the applicants who submitted their applications through the NSA&#039;s online recruitment system and who fully meet the requirements will be considered. Inclusivity"To ensure that the NSA complies with the Affirmative Action Act and to ensure inclusivity, the NSA will give preference to persons living with disabilities as well as marginalised communities such as the San and Ovahimba people."The NSA will use a quota system that will see 1% San people (131 individuals), 1% Ovahimba people, 2% people with disabilities (262) and 2% other minority/marginalised groups hired, he said.The agency will appoint 9 046 enumerators, 3 606 team supervisors, 121 constituency supervisors, 116 constituency fleet officers, 14 regional security officers, 35 data monitors, 42 data clerks, three data clerk supervisors, 28 regional IT field technicians, 121 constituency IT field technicians and six national IT field technicians. Successful applicants&#039; names will be published on the NSA website and social media platforms as well as at various constituency offices, Shimuafeni said.Transport services Meanwhile, the statistician-general announced that the NSA will be making use of transport services where individual car owners will transport NSA enumerators. The vehicles to be used will be selected from within their constituencies and vehicles will either be driven by their owners, or by assigned drivers.Selected car owners will be compensated an average of N$2 000 per day, depending on the enumeration area the vehicles will be operating in. According to the agency, it will need just over 2 800 vehicles countrywide, and more than 8 000 vehicles were registered during the process.Census trainingTraining for the census officially began on 24 July and will conclude with mass enumerators&#039; training on 16 September. “The aim of the training is to equip participants with the knowledge needed to conduct and successfully implement the enumeration phase,” Shimuafeni said.He highlighted that the census is the single biggest data collection exercise in the country and urged members of the public to embrace the initiative and actively participate when enumerators visit their households. “We enthusiastically look forward to conducting the census next month. Please play your part and ensure that you are counted."

Flood of applications for 13 000 census positions

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-21

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Flood of applications for 13 000 census positions

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Namibian Sun 2025-02-21

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