Consultancy: Data Processing Consultancy for Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), D & A Section, DRP - NYHQ, Requisition #514010 (for ECARO)

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. For many countries, MICS surveys are among the most important sources of data used for situation analyses, policy decisions and programme interventions, and for influencing the public opinion on the situation of children and women.

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

Throughout past two decades, Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) programme has come a long way to bring robust data on children and women to the forefront of the development agenda. Conceived initially as an idea in the field, the programme has helped transform the data landscape in countries by generating much-needed data for policy and programming, highlighting inequalities and identifying the under-served. The sheer number of countries implementing surveys has turn transformed MICS into an indispensable source of data for key global development initiatives such as the MDGs.

UNICEF is currently supporting the sixth round of MICS. The new round introduces a number of topics that will considerably expand MICS’s coverage of the SDGs: with new modules, such as water quality testing, early learning, social transfers, victimization and child functioning, MICS now covers 32 global SDG indicators.

The MICS programme has a firm commitment to ensuring that both methods and data from surveys meet or surpass internationally agreed-upon standards. MICS surveys are usually carried out by government organizations, with the support and technical assistance of UNICEF. When countries adhere to the MICS protocols and recommendations, and make use of the standard tools provided, the survey process goes very smoothly. However, in many countries, the provision of survey tools alone has not been sufficient without the additional support of experts providing technical assistance. As part of the MICS programme, UNICEF has continued to strengthen the technical support, so that implementing partners can receive the required level of technical assistance at critical survey stages, on a timely basis.

To support the planned surveys for 2018 and 2019, UNICEF HQ will hire an experienced data processing consultant to advise countries on data processing related issues, provide support on setting up the digital data collection systems, review analysis programs and produce final tables.

Purpose

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. For many countries, MICS surveys are among the most important sources of data used for situation analyses, policy decisions and programme interventions, and for influencing the public opinion on the situation of children and women.

In order to ensure that the final MICS results are produced in accordance with international standards and best practices, UNICEF is encouraging implementing countries to use standard digital data collection applications and programs for data collection and processing purpose. It is essential that data processing guidance to countries is given in a standard manner and of the highest quality, and that survey teams receive the guidance and assistance that they need in order to develop and implement appropriate data processing strategies for their surveys. Specifically, country level support is needed in the following data processing-related areas of work:

• Initial review of digital data collection applications
• Final review and testing of digital data collection application, setting up CAPI system locally, training, monitoring and support of first few days of fieldwork
• Creating analysis files
• Review of tabulation programs and tables

To these ends, UNICEF HQ needs to work with a data processing expert who can provide such support to the survey teams, in identified critical survey stages.

Due to the highly technical nature of the work involved, it is essential that only experienced international expert(s) who will be able to follow specific recommendations of the MICS programme are mobilized.

Expected results: (measurable results)

Report summarizing the initial assessment of MICS CAPI system for three MICS6 surveys in Europe and Central Asia region outlining recommendations and discussion points for further improvements.

Final technical review and testing of CAPI application, setting up CAPI system locally, providing in-country support during training and first few days of fieldwork.

Technical review of the SPSS analysis files for three MICS6 surveys in Europe and Central Asia region.

Technical review of the adopted SPSS syntaxes for three MICS6 surveys in Europe and Central Asia region.

Support MICS Data Processing team in New York HQ with work on standard data processing materials, including manuals and guidelines, standard data collection application and standard SPSS tabulation syntaxes, and their translation to Russian.

Duty Station : Remote-based. Travel to MICS Regional Data Processing Workshop and one visit to the implementing countries. The exact timing of the travel will depend on the survey schedules of the countries.

Suggested time of the country visits: Country visit prior to the start of the fieldwork, to advise on the set up of digital data collection system, and provide support during last week of training and first week of fieldwork.

Timeframe

Start date: 15 July 2018                       
End date:   31 March 2019

Confidentiality of Data and MICS Documents

The Data Processing 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 consultant can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

 Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• A minimum of University degree (Bachelor’s) or equivalent in Statistics, Programming, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Demography, or other related technical field with significant data processing component is required.
• Master’s Degree in relevant filed is an asset.
• Mid-level experience - at least 8 years of working experience in data processing for household surveys. Prior MICS/DHS data processing experience highly desirable.
• Experience of working in developing countries.
• Fluency in English and Russian. Working knowledge in another UN language (e.g. Spanish or another langue) an asset.

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.