Consultancy for MICS6 Regional Household Survey, Kathmandu, Nepal

The main purpose of this consultancy is to support the regional office in the delivery of technical assistance to MICS implementing countries (currently Pakistan and Bangladesh). Under the overall supervision of the ROSA Statistics and Monitoring Specialist (MICS Regional Coordinator), the UNICEF Regional Household Survey Consultant will work on supporting the preparation, design, implementation, data processing, and completion of the MICS in selected countries in South Asia.

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Purpose of the Assignment

The main purpose of this consultancy is to support the regional office in the delivery of technical assistance to MICS implementing countries (currently Pakistan and Bangladesh).

Under the overall supervision of the ROSA Statistics and Monitoring Specialist (MICS Regional Coordinator), the UNICEF Regional Household Survey Consultant will work on supporting the preparation, design, implementation, data processing, and completion of the MICS in selected countries in South Asia.

Assignment Tasks

1. Support the ROSA Statistics and Monitoring Specialist in providing technical assistance and oversight for all MICS surveys in the region;

 2. Provide support, when relevant, to Regional MICS Workshops;

2.1 Survey Design Workshop: facilitate selected sessions as necessary and work bilaterally with different countries on questionnaires, survey plans and budgets;

2.2 Data Processing Workshops: when necessary, work bilaterally with different countries on reviewing datasets, data quality, tabulation plans and final report contents

2.3 Data Dissemination and Further Analysis Workshops: facilitate selected sessions as necessary and work bilaterally with countries on the interpretation of their MICS data and on the development of dissemination plans

3. From a distance and in coordination with the ROSA Statistics and Monitoring Specialist, review and provide  feedback to COs on the following documents, in order to ensure that they comply with MICS standards; 

3.1 Survey plans (including budget and training plans for pre-test and main fieldworker training)

3.2 Questionnaires and Manuals

3.3 Sample design (in collaboration with the Regional Sampling Consultant)

3.4 Pre-test and CAPI test reports

3.5 Fieldwork monitoring reports and field check tables

3.6 Tabulation plans

3.7 Datasets and tabulations (in collaboration with Regional Data Processing Consultant)

3.8 Final survey reports

4. Support countries remotely or through in-county visits in carrying out the following survey activities:

4.1 Survey planning and questionnaire design

4.2 Pre-test

4.3 Fieldwork training and initiation of fieldwork 

4.4 Fieldwork monitoring 

4.5 Data analysis

4.6 Report writing 

5. As needed, take part in missions carried out by the ROSA Statistics and Monitoring Specialist to support COs in negotiating, promoting and presenting MICS to governments and other partners. 

6. As needed, support countries in survey archiving.

7. In collaboration with the MICS Regional Coordinator, provide country and regional status survey up-dates to RO and HQ.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Documented review for each survey design reviewed outlining key recommendations and proposed changes and how the survey plans meet or do not meet MICS technical standards

2.  Feedback on draft questionnaires (including back translation) using the questionnaire review form

3. Country trip reports (including presentations and training materials)

4. Regional workshop trip report(s)

5. Evidence of distance ad-hoc technical support through e-mails

6. Documented review with recommendations on the fieldwork training and data collection activity in each country

7. Systematic feedback on field-check tables

8. Feedback on the tabulations and  survey final reports using the report review form

9. Documented reviews with recommendations on data dissemination plan, dissemination activities and the data archive

10. Monthly reports outlining support to countries provided and number of days worked

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, or other related technical field with significant measurement or analysis component.

Years of relevant experience

• At least 8-10 years’ experience in the coordination and/or management of quantitative household surveys.  (Prior MICS/DHS coordination experience highly desirable);
• Expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, SPSS highly desirable);
• Experience in survey report writing;

Competencies of Successful Candidate 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability and willingness to travel to all countries across South Asia
• Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability.

 Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English. Understanding of one or more languages in South Asia highly desirable;

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.