Consultancy: MICS Sampling Expert - UNICEF - WCAR (Togo, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea)

UNICEF places a high priority on the availability of recent and reliable information with which to monitor the situation of children and women. Statistically sound and internationally comparable data are essential for developing evidence-based policies and programmes, as well as for monitoring countries’ progress toward national goals and global commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNICEF assists countries in collecting and analysing data in order to fill data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women through its international household survey initiative the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). MICS enables countries to produce statistically sound and internationally comparable estimates of a range of indicators in the areas of health, education, child protection, water and sanitation and HIV and AIDS. MICS findings are typically among the most important sources of data within a country used as a basis for policy decisions and programme interventions, and for influencing public opinion on the situation of children and women.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

The sampling expert consultant will work under the supervision of the MICS Regional Coordinator in WCARO; all documents prepared and decision made in countries should be submitted to Regional Coordinator and MICS Global team in UNICEF HQ after each trip. 

This contract will be for 16 working days and will be valid from 1^st of September 2017 to 31 of July 2018. Only the worked days will be paid.

Assignment Tasks /Expected Deliverables

1. Design or review sampling plans developed by the statistical agencies designing MICS surveys, using MICS6 tools and template
2. Review, advise or, if necessary, calculate the sample weights for countries after the data collection is completed before they proceed with the data analyses,
3. Visit MICS implementing countries to discuss the sampling plans and sampling weights
4. Review the relevant chapters of the MICS country reports.

5. Exhaustive trip reports and constant communication with RO and HQ are requested. 

   With the exception of visits to MICS implementing countries, work can be done remotely. 

   Deliverables are:

• Templates, guidelines, programmes, presentations and manual as indicated above
• Reports on reviews of sampling plans, sample weight calculations and sampling chapters in MICS country reports.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

• At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Survey Sampling or Statistics with special expertise in survey sampling

Years of relevant experience

• At least 10 year experience in designing samples for household surveys around the region (experience in countries without recent census information is an asset)
• Must have expertise with the MICS sampling methodology
• Demonstrated training experience
• Experience of working in developing countries and more specifically in West and Central Africa
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Fluency in French and English is requested;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment

• The Regional Sampling Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary. During missions, UNICEF COs will provide working space for the consultant, preferably with implementing partner.
• The contract may not commence unless signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment.
• The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' has to be completed by the consultant and submitted to the HR Section.
• Basic Security in the Field Training Certificate
• The Regional Sampling expert should respect the confidentiality of the MICS data as well as any country specific MICS documents that will be produced throughout the MICS process. The Regional Sampling expert can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

 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.