Consultancy - Admin Data Systems Mapping & Strengthening

This consultancy aims to strengthen administrative data systems in the country, to ensure that they respond to the Sustainable Development Goals and can support the country with reporting progress towards indicators that relate to women and children. In particular the aim is to: • Identify availability and gaps in key data values for SDG indicators that relate to women and children across relevant administrative data systems. Among the 232 global SDG indicators, UNICEF has identified 44 that most directly concern children and will be the priority focus of this exercise. However, the exact list of indicators will be determined in close consultation with NCSI and UNICEF. • Determine Oman’s readiness around developing a national ID linked data systems as a potential solution for addressing data needs in the country. • Develop of a strategic action plan on how the administrative data systems can be strengthened and enhanced to align with SDG reporting requirements going forward, thus supporting preparation of the VNR report as well as the planned e-Census 2020.

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.

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Background and Justification

Through its Joint Country Programme with the Government of Oman, UNICEF is working closely with the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) to ensure that data on the situation of women and children is available and monitored regularly, to allow for evidence-based policies on programmes addressing children’s rights in the Sultanate. This has included various surveys and studies such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (2014), the Study on the Situation of Women and Children in the Sultanate of Oman (2015), as well as the development of the Child Well-being and Empowerment (CWEI) Index[1].

With monitoring and reporting requirements arising through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030, NCSI is committed to ensuring that data generated in the country aligns with SDG reporting requirements and methodologies. Oman is preparing for the Voluntary National Review (VNR) report to be submitted to the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in June 2019 and is keen to map out and analyse existing administrative data systems to determine the extent to which these can support the monitoring and reporting requirements of SDG indicators; and what is required to ensure that they are strengthened and enhanced for that purpose. This process would also support the country towards enhancing its administrative data systems in preparation for the Oman Administrative e-Census 2020.

Oman has a strong administrative data structure in place. One prime example is the Ministry of Health’s Al-Shifa System, a comprehensive healthcare information management system developed as a complete solution for healthcare facility management and public health surveillance. The system is installed across healthcare facilities in the country, supporting automatically generated data such as birth history, prenatal care for mother and child, immunization rates, as well as others.  Similar systems exist within other sectors and support the generation of administrative data on a regular basis.  While this ensures strong data at the national level, data at the sub-national level and disaggregated data (as per SDGs requirements) are lacking. In particular, data on key child-related indicators are often not identified at the sub-national level.

Purpose and Objectives

This consultancy aims to strengthen administrative data systems in the country, to ensure that they respond to the Sustainable Development Goals and can support the country with reporting progress towards indicators that relate to women and children. In particular the aim is to:

• Identify availability and gaps in key data values for SDG indicators that relate to women and children across relevant administrative data systems. Among the 232 global SDG indicators, UNICEF has identified 44 that most directly concern children and will be the priority focus of this exercise. However, the exact list of indicators will be determined in close consultation with NCSI and UNICEF.
• Determine Oman’s readiness around developing a national ID linked data systems as a potential solution for addressing data needs in the country.
• Develop of a strategic action plan on how the administrative data systems can be strengthened and enhanced to align with SDG reporting requirements going forward, thus supporting preparation of the VNR report as well as the planned e-Census 2020.

Detailed tasks are outlined in the table below:

Standard Administrative Requirements

Expected places of travel, insurance, per diem, payments and responsibilities between UNICEF and the consultant:

• When in-country, the consultant will be required to report on a regular basis to the UNICEF Supervisor.
• If coming in from abroad:
  • The consultant will need to make arrangements for travel and accommodation.
  • Based on an agreed travel schedule, UNICEF will cover airfare of the consultant to Oman in Economy class via the most direct and economical route.
  • For in-country stays, UNICEF will provide a DSA not exceeding the UN DSA rate.
  • Transportation upon arrival and departure is to be arranged by the traveller, terminal expense will be provided by UNICEF.
  • For long stays in-country, the consultant will be entitled to the same weekends and UN holiday schedule as UNICEF staff.
• Any in-country travel related to the consultant’s assignment will be arranged for and covered by UNICEF.
• Consultant needs to arrange his/her own insurance (life, health and other forms of insurance) covering the term of the contract while in Oman, and need to provide proof such insurance prior to travel.
• UNICEF will not provide the consultant with any equipment, unless it is requested by the consultants and approved by Operation Unit with appropriately completed form.

Qualification, skill and ATTRIBUTES or Specialized knowledge 

The required consultant profile and qualifications are as follows:

• At least 10 years of experience in policy and planning work related to international development is required, with proven work record on various national and subnational administrative data systems, vital registration systems and statistical offices.
• A post graduate degree in social statistics, demography or other field relevant to the work of the consultancy.
• In-depth knowledge of SDG indicators and related metadata is an asset.
• A solid understanding of UNICEF's core areas of work is required. Experience with UNICEF country and/or regional office work is highly valued and will be considered an asset.
• Experience in applying international norms, standards and conventions to social planning and situation monitoring.
• Extensive knowledge of Oman’s social sectors and data issues is an asset.
• Excellent written and spoken language skills in English and Arabic are required.

Submission of proposal

Interested candidates should include in their proposals the following:

Part A: Technical

1. Background information that includes an interpretation and understanding of the terms of reference;
2. Methodology and approach outlining a clear conceptual and analytical framework for the work to be undergone;
3. Proposed work plan outlining clear timeframe and logical steps in conducting the assignment;
4. Expectations of UNICEF in terms of logistical, technical, and other forms of support for the work;
5. Name and brief background of the vendor, including existing experience and expertise that will be of benefit to the proposed assignment;
6. Names and contact information of referees for the 3 most recent and relevant projects.

Part B: Financial

7. An itemized budget divided into professional fees and direct cost of activities in United States Dollars.