Consultancy: The Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) Regional Household Survey Design

he Programme Planning and Monitoring Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical support in the preparation, implementation and completion of the MICS and other household surveys in selected countries in the EAP region.

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.

For every child, Childhood

Thailand is firmly established as a middle-income country.  Economic growth over the last two decades has been impressive: poverty has fallen by around two-thirds since 1990, despite the 1997 economic crisis from which Thailand has fully recovered.  This prosperity, combined with a growing awareness of and commitment to child rights, has resulted in successive governments investing in the wellbeing and future of children.  These investments have brought hugh, often life-changing benefits to millions of children. 

How can you make a difference?

The Programme Planning and Monitoring Section, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to provide technical support in the preparation, implementation and completion of the MICS and other household surveys in selected countries in the EAP region.

Work Assignment:

Under the supervision of Statistics and Monitoring Specialist and in close collaboration with the UNICEF Country Office MICS focal point, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1. Support the Regional Office (RO) in providing technical assistance and oversight for assigned surveys in the region.
2. From a distance and in coordination and collaboration with the RO, review and provide feedback to Country Offices (COs) on the following documents for compliance with MICS standards and according to country needs:

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

        b. Questionnaires and Manuals, including the translated versions.

     c.  Data capturing application, editing and customization of standard SPSS syntaxes (in collaboration with the Data Processing Consultant).

        d. Pre-test report.

        e. Country specific Tabulation plans and customizations.

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

        g. Survey Findings Report.

        h.  Thematic Snapshots.

        i. Archives.

    3. Support countries remotely or through in-county visits in carrying out the following survey activities according to country requirements:

        a. Survey planning and questionnaire design.

        b. Pre-test training and pre-test.

        c. Fieldwork training and fieldwork monitoring.

        d. Data analysis.

        e. Report writing.

    4. As needed, support countries in data archiving.

    5. In collaboration with the RO, provide country and regional survey up-dates to RO and HQ.

Work Schedule:

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 – within 7 days of receipt.
2. Feedback on draft questionnaires using the questionnaire review form – within 5 days of receipt.
3. Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country visited – within 7 days after the visit.
4. Documented review of pre-test report with recommendations – within 7 days of receipt.
5. Documented review of the fieldwork training and data collection activity in each country with clear recommendations - within 3 days after the end of the training and 3 days after a monitoring visit.
6. Documented review of the data processing activities with clear recommendations.
7. Feedback on field-check tables through e-mail.
8. Comments and feedback on each survey findings report reviewed – within 7 days of receipt.
9. Review of data dissemination plans and survey data archives with clear recommendations – within 7 days of receipt.
10. Evidence of other distance technical support through e-mail.

Deliverables:

The Consultant will prepare a monthly report on activities undertaken and completed against the deliverables.

Estimated Duration of Contract:  60 days spread from 1 June 2018 to 30 April 2019.

Official Travel: The consultant will be expected to travel countries in EAPR (tbc).

To qualify as a/an [champion or advocate] for every child you will have…

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Demography, Statistics, Social Sciences, Epidemiology, or other related technical field with significant measurement or analysis component is required.
• At least 8 years’ experience in the coordination and/or management of quantitative household surveys. Prior coordination experience of MICS/ Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) implementation at country level is highly desirable.
• Expertise in statistical analysis.  Familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) is highly desirable.
• Experience in survey report writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners.
• Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability.
• Excellent communication in written and spoken English.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience of work in the East Asia and Pacific region is an asset.
• Ability and willingness to travel to all countries across the East Asia and Pacific region.

Confidentiality of data and MICS documents

The Regional Household Survey Consultant must 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 Household Survey Consultant can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV or P11, full contact information of minimum 2 references, availability, and daily professional fee in USD by 21 May 2018.

 FORM P11.doc

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Only short listed candidates will be notified.

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.