Consultancy: Data Must Speak formative evaluation – coordinator and data analyst, Education Section, PD, NYHQ, Requisition #510941

The consultant will serve as the implementation coordinator and data analyst for the formative evaluation of the DMS initiative. DMS’s formative evaluation will: (1) determine how DMS has been implemented and operated; and the degree to which this corresponds with the planned design of Phases I and II; (2) determine the degree to which it has achieved its stated objectives (including an analysis of changes in data coverage and quality of national Education Management Information System (EMIS); (3) identify the critical drivers behind any results achieved and the critical challenges that limited results; (4) explore the validity of the assumptions underpinning the DMS Theory of Change; and (5) make recommendations for a possible Phase III and its modality of implementation in response to increased demand from countries.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background & Rationale

Through the “promise renewed” commitment, and as part of efforts to strengthen organizational capacity to support quality education for all children, UNICEF has re-emphasized its focus on equity which is at the core of the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Millennium Declaration and Education for All (EFA), UNICEF works to ensure the right of all children to education. One of the key outputs under Goal Area 2 “Every child learns” in the 2018-2021 Strategic Plan is “Countries have strengthened their education systems for gender-equitable learning outcomes, including early learning” within which community participation in education is one of the five dimensions of an effective education system for learning outcomes.

In order to support progress towards this output and the related output of the 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, UNICEF-Education successfully submitted a proposal to the Global Partnership for Education/Global and Regional Activities (GPE/GRA) fund (in order to support 5 countries). The initiative “Data Must Speak” (DMS), started in 2014 with two pilot countries, Madagascar and Togo, and expanded to Nepal, Zambia and Peru in 2015, and the Philippines in 2016. The initiative supports the setting up of data feedback tools (such as district/school profile cards) for increasing accountability (in particular for pro-equity allocation of resources), community participation and improving school performance (learning outcomes, equity and drop-out rates’ reduction). In 2016 funding from the Hewlett Foundation was secured for Phase II of the initiative. Extending DMS into a second phase provided an opportunity to continue supporting countries while generating knowledge on community participation in education, and to evaluate the tools designed during Phase I and the impact of community participation and use of data on school resources and performance. In 2017, a further funding was secured to carry out a formative evaluation of DMS to identify the critical drivers behind any results achieved and point the way forward for DMS Phase III expansion to more countries, in response to increased demand from countries.

 The DMS initiative is also embedded in UNICEF’s results based management (RBM) approach. As such, it is important that the knowledge generated through the DMS initiative is used to strengthen RBM in UNICEF education and enhance the monitoring of results for children with a focus on greater social accountability.

Purpose

The consultant will serve as the implementation coordinator and data analyst for the formative evaluation of the DMS initiative.

DMS’s formative evaluation will:

(1) determine how DMS has been implemented and operated; and the degree to which this corresponds with the planned design of Phases I and II;
(2) determine the degree to which it has achieved its stated objectives (including an analysis of changes in data coverage and quality of national Education Management Information System (EMIS);
(3) identify the critical drivers behind any results achieved and the critical challenges that limited results;
(4) explore the validity of the assumptions underpinning the DMS Theory of Change; and
(5) make recommendations for a possible Phase III and its modality of implementation in response to increased demand from countries.

The consultant will work closely with the two co-lead consultants in charge of the evaluation (separate vacancy announcement) and is expected to
(1) coordinate the operational implementation of the evaluation, in liaison with the UNICEF education teams in New York, Regional Offices and Country Offices and with the advisory group for the evaluation;
(2) produce the progress status in reference to the indicators of the results framework of the initiative (phase 1 and phase 2);
(3) produce the quantitative analysis of the changes in data coverage and quality of national EMIS in DMS countries;
(4) edit and consolidate the inception report and the evaluation report.

The consultancy will involve travel to New York UNICEF Headquarters and to a sample of the initiative’s targeted countries (6 missions is the estimated number).

Expected results: (measurable results)

The following results are expected by the end of the consultancy:

• DMS evaluation well implemented
• Inception report reviewed, edited and consolidated
• Progress status in reference to the indicators of the results framework completed
• Quantitative analysis of the changes in data coverage and quality of national EMIS in DMS countries completed
• Evaluation report reviewed, edited and consolidated

Duty Station

Location of assignment: Remote-based or New York based

Timeframe
Start date:  15 March 2018,
End Date: 1 March 2019 

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• An advanced university degree (Master's) in education, economics, psychology, sociology or other social science field is required.
• At least 4 years of relevant work experience in project coordination, evaluation, data analysis and/or research in education at the international level.
• Knowledge and experience of national Education Management Information Systems
• Excellent communication, presentation and drafting skills in English and in French
• Experience working in/with UNICEF is an asset
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks

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.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.   
At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization