Consultancy - Creation of a common methodology on continuous needs identification and data interpretation to enable ongoing sectorial joint needs and response analysis

The Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS) is seeking a qualified consultant to support in the creation of a common methodology on the continuous needs identification and data interpretation to enable ongoing joint needs analysis. The joint needs analysis work is currently being undertaken by the GCCG, under the leadership of the Food Security Cluster.

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, Protection

Background

Whether in natural disasters, complex emergencies, famine or disease, UNICEF has been a reliable emergency responder since its creation. This has been made possible through its extensive sectoral expertise in health, nutrition, WASH, education, child protection, and gender, as well as through strong communication and an agility in adopting innovative approaches and systems in meeting its mandate.

UNICEF welcomed the spirit of the “Grand Bargain” and the ambition to better assess the needs of populations affected by humanitarian crisis.  As such, UNICEF have been linking the associated work streams on joint and impartial needs assessments, accountability to affected populations and localization.  This was done largely to the fact that needs of affected populations are traditionally assessed through one large needs assessment before the creation of the Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO).  This normally takes place in the summer months with quite a large piece of work undertaken to manage and analyze the information.  The focus of the humanitarian community is then placed on translating those needs into Strategic Objectives of the response through the creation of a Humanitarian Response Plan. 

During the implementation phase, focus is primarily on monitoring results against the original needs identified and less on any change of those.  However, in most situations, the emergency evolves and the needs of affected populations change. 

Inter-agency work at the global level is currently taking place around joint needs analysis to be conducted under the Inter Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG) at the field level.  Such analysis requires a continuous feed of information to analyze.  Given this and the heavy process of one off needs assessments, there is a demand to build an ongoing approach to the identification of needs.   Such an approach will enable both sectorial joint needs and response analysis to take place at the country level.  This consultancy will contribute to these efforts by crafting a framework with a flexible methodology that will ensure a feed of information throughout the program cycle.  The work will closely coordinate with existing initiatives and groups such as the Global Cluster Coordinators Group (GCCG), JIAG, and the HPC review working groups.

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this consultancy is to create a common methodology on the continuous needs identification and data interpretation to enable ongoing joint needs analysis.  The joint needs analysis work is currently being undertaken by the GCCG, under the leadership of the Food Security Cluster. 

This methodology should ensure the inclusiveness, complementarity, and use of data as per below:

Data usefulness:  Data sources produced with a minimum level of reliability and sound methodology should be considered as valid data entries within the framework. These sources include, but are not limited to:  assessments, need monitoring, the use of proxy indicators, key informant networks, and other unorthodox means to identify needs.  The framework should be able to define how each of the information sources should be considered.

Data complementarity: The methodology framework should ensure that conflicting datasets can be comparable (i.e. aggregating or disaggregating datasets for ensuring unit of analysis comparability).

Context-based tailored approach: The Framework should represent a methodological approach with the capability to adapt to different contexts and realities. The methodology produced under this consultancy should be applicable in all types of operations, including protracted and sudden onset emergencies as well as low capacity operations. 

Moreover, the methodology framework should take into consideration the following three pillars:

Technical - The pillar which focus on the information management component. In this directly connected with the work with IMOs and technical staff applying the key technical approaches chosen for the framework. The technical pillar requires a strong command on IM and how these tools can be adapted, or tailored, to the in country different realities and pre-existing capacities.

Coordination – A second pillar defined to ensure that the technical IM tools/analysis and the sectoral data interpretation, prioritization and operational planning and response options are kept aligned during the overall process. This pillar involves constant coordination and exchange with the wide array of stakeholders participating in the framework.

Decision making at operational and strategic levels – This third pillar addresses the critical step on how to make use of the framework findings to facilitate an evidence-based decision making process which will immediately impact and guide the response. In the framework, this pillar will provide tools, adaptable approaches and guidance-including advocacy-to the technical and coordination ones-on how they can successfully contribute to the decision-making, and involving a strong consensus-building component showcasing the benefits of working under the integrated approach of the framework, instead of pursuing stand-alone ones.

Duration: Estimated 120 days between September/October 2018 to February/March 2019.

Deliverables

The consultancy will have the following deliverables:

1. An inventory of existing and currently applied data collection methodologies and a comparative analysis of these as a foundation for the review and framing of information sources (deliverable 2). 
2. Review and framing of information sources-under the basis of complementarity and comparability- used by UNICEF-led clusters / AoR as well as other stakeholders to identify needs of affected populations.  This review and framing will include all types of information sources, developmental, humanitarian as well as others.
3. Using the review, create a methodological framework-following the above-mentioned pillars - for a continuous identification and joint analysis of needs and response that is applicable to the entire humanitarian system respecting the already existing sectoral analytical frameworks and sector specific data use protocols (i.e. use of qualitative and quantitative data).
4. Create sector-specific parts with detailed SOPs on how to apply the framework for UNICEF-led Clusters / AoR (WASH, Nutrition, Child Protection, and Education).  SOPs will focus on how to analyze existing data allowing the sectors to make a better planning. For this purpose, they will consider, PiN estimates-including gender and age disaggregation- prioritization of most affected geographical areas and groups and response modalities adapted to each context.
5. Creation of a package for testing and roll-out starting in 2019.

Management

The consultant will report on the project to the Chief, UNICEF Global Cluster Coordination Unit, Office of emergency Programmes. The Consultant will interact with the entire UNICEF-led Cluster / AoR team and may be designated a technical reporting line to another staff member. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in information management, information systems, database management, humanitarian action, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:  A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in analysis and needs assessments within the humanitarian sector. Experience with Humanitarian Indicator Registries and Humanitarian Analytical Frameworks is an asset. Experience with SQL and data analysis and visualization is desired. 

Language:         Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is an advantage.  

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

• Communication:  Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailor language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Applying Technical Expertise: Applies specialist and detailed technical expertise; demonstrates an understanding of different organizational departments and functions.
• Analysing: Analyses numerical data and all other sources of information, to break them into component parts, patterns and relationships; probes for further information or greater understanding of a problem; makes rational judgments from the available information and analysis; demonstrates an understanding of how one issue may be a part of a much larger system.

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.

Remarks:

Please include a full CV and Financial Proposal in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and an all inclusive lumpsum fee (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a lumpsum fee will not be considered. Please mention the earliest date you can start. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.