MENARO Household Survey Consultant

Under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Regional Monitoring and Research specialist, the MENARO Household Survey Consultant has the responsibility for supporting the preparation, implementation and completion of MICS surveys in countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Consultancy Title: MENARO Household Survey Consultant

 

LOCATION/DURATION:

Duration:  11 months

 

Location: home-based with missions to all MENA countries

Off-site working days: Full-time (8 hours per day)

Field Missions/Travel: 3-6 missions (depending on the need of the country and workshops)

Estimated Start Date: 1^st October 2018

Estimated end Date: 31^st August 2019

 

BACKGROUND:

Statistically sound and internationally comparable data are essential for developing evidence-based policies and programmes, as well as for monitoring countries’ progress toward national goals and global commitments. Since 1995, UNICEF has supported the implementation of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), assisting countries in generating high quality data on the situation of children and women. Over the last 21 years and five rounds of MICS, 300 MICS surveys have been conducted in more than 100 countries.

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, and equally importantly, for establishing baselines for the indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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 tools provided, the survey process goes very smoothly. However, in many countries, as the evaluation of previous MICS rounds also confirms, the provision of survey tools alone has not been sufficient. Additional support of experienced personnel providing technical assistance to and working closely with the survey management team in the country has been essential in ensuring quality.

Thus, as part of the MICS6 programme, UNICEF will continue to strengthen its MICS technical support mechanism at the regional level so that country surveys can receive the required level of technical assistance at critical stages of the implementation.

Currently across MENA two countries have already concluded their fieldwork and will need support in the next six months to finalize the reporting, additionally 1 country will initiate fieldwork and 3 more are expected to join in 2019. MENARO household survey consultant will, therefore, provide necessary technical support to these surveys on different stages of the implementation, including planning, data-gap assessment, questionnaire, sampling, pre-test, fieldwork training, monitoring, data editing and tabulation.

OBJECTIVE:

Under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Regional Monitoring and Research specialist, the MENARO Household Survey Consultant has the responsibility for supporting the preparation, implementation and completion of MICS surveys in countries in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The regional household survey consultant provides technical support and in-country quality assurance of the MICS survey proceedings to minimize bias. In addition build capacity of various partners on MICS6 progamme.

 

MAIN TASKS:

1. Support the Regional Monitoring and Research specialist in providing technical assistance and oversight for MICS surveys in the region;
2. Provide support to Regional MICS Workshops;
   1. Survey Design Workshop: if one takes place during the consultancy period, facilitate selected sessions and work bilaterally with different countries on questionnaires, survey plans and budgets;
   2. Data Processing Workshop: if one takes place during the consultancy period, work bilaterally with different countries on datasets, data quality, tabulation plans.
   3. Data Dissemination and Report writing Workshop: support countries in the interpretation of their MICS data during these country level workshops, and lead/support the compilation of the standard MICS6 report.
   4. Further Analysis workshop: Contribute to further analysis of MICS data by working with countries who completed a MICS survey through collaboratively identifying topics and possible methods for further analysis.
3. Review and provide feedback to countries on the following documents for compliance with MICS6 standards;
   1. Survey plans (including budget and training plans for pre-test and main fieldworker training)
   2. Questionnaires and Manuals, including the translated versions
   3. Sample design (in collaboration with Sampling Consultant)
   4. CAPI application, editing and validating programmes (in collaboration with the Data Processing Consultant)
   5. Pre-test report
   6. Tabulation plans
   7. Datasets and tabulations (in collaboration with Data Processing Consultant)
   8. Survey findings Report (SFR)
   9. Archiving (IHSN)
4. Support countries remotely or through in-county visits in carrying out the following survey activities:
   1. Survey planning and questionnaire design
   2. Pre-test training and pre-test
   3. Fieldwork training and fieldwork monitoring
   4. Support the analysis of field check tables and feedback to teams
   5. Data interpretation and analysis
   6. Report writing and compilation
5. As needed, take part in missions to support COs in negotiating, promoting and presenting MICS to governments and other partners.
6. Support the regional Monitoring and Research specialist on further analysis with regional scope.
7. In collaboration with the regional Monitoring and Research specialist, provide country and regional status survey up-dates to management.
8. Support RO in the review of the MICS6 tools and their translation

 

KEY DELIVERABLES:

1. Report 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 after submission by the country.
2. Feedback on draft questionnaires using the questionnaire review form – within 5 days after submission by the country.
3. Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country visited – within 7 days after the visit.
4. Regional workshop trip report(s) – within 7 days after the workshop.
5. Presentations and training materials used in workshops and trainings – within 7 days after the workshop/training.
6. Documented review of pre-test report with recommendations – within 7 days after the submission by the country.
7. 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.
8. Documented review of the data processing activities with clear recommendations.
9. Feedback on field-check tables through e-mail, at most after 3-days of submission by country.
10. Comments and feedback on each survey findings report reviewed using the standard review template -within 7 days after the submission by the country.
11. Review of data dissemination plans and survey data archives with clear recommendations – within 7 days after the submission by the country.
12. Evidence of other distance technical support through e-mail.
13. Quarterly activity log with the name of a country, type of support, date and time spent for each task specified clearly.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education

At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, or other related technical field with significant measurement, analysis or quantitative research background is required.

Skills and Experience

 

• At least 5 years’ experience in the coordination and/or management of quantitative household surveys. (Prior MICS/DHS coordination experience highly desirable);
• Expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, SPSS highly desirable);
• Experience in survey report writing;
• Ability and willingness to travel to short missions to countries across MENA region.

 

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must; and either Arabic or French.

Other competencies

• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously within a multicultural environment and communicate complex ideas
• Proactive and dynamic personality with attention to detail,
• Result driven and strong planning and organizing skills

 

Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary. The consultant will be expected to travel to MENA countries and participate at regional MICS workshops as needed.

 

 

TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS (PLEASE CHECK IF APPLICABLE):

Mission travel

During mission travels to MENA countries, UNICEF will manage and pay for travel via Travel Authorization.  However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites:  Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, the Basic and Advanced Security in the Field Trainings, Travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

 

These travel costs will be covered by UNICEF MENA regional office as per UN rules and regulations (against travel authorizations).

 

 

ESTIMATED DURATION OF CONTRACT:

The consultant will work for full-time for 11 months. From 1^st October to 31^st of August.

 

OFFICIAL TRAVEL INVOLVED:

The consultant will be expected to travel to countries where possible and as long as UN security conditions permit, and to facilitate at regional and country MICS workshops.

Travel costs will be covered by UNICEF MENA regional office as per UN rules and regulations.

 

PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Select proposed methodology Monthly

 

Monthly payments upon submission of invoice.

 

TYPE OF SUPERVISION REQUIRED AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER CONSULTANTS

The Monitoring and Research specialist will provide quality assurance and oversight for the consultant’s work with substantial feedback on the quality of the work. 

 

For each MICS survey, the consultant will work in close collaboration with the UNICEF MICS Focal point, the UNICEF MICS Consultant, other UNICEF Regional household survey Consultants, and other experts of the implementing partner in that country. During country visits, the consultant will be expected together with the regional Monitoring and Research specialist or other regional experts carry out trainings, provide relevant guidance, monitor progress and be present at critical stages of survey implementation.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY OF DATA AND MICS DOCUMENTS

The 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.

 

WORK PLACE

Regional household survey consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary. During country visits, UNICEF CO or the implementing partner will provide working space for the consultant.

 

CONDITIONS

 

• Ticket and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) during travel will be paid as per UNICEF regulations, separate TAs will be issued to cover travel by the RO.
• The contract may not commence unless signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
• Consultant will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractor prior to taking up the assignment.
• The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' has to be completed by the consultant and submitted to the HR Section.
• Travels to countries in MENA region as necessary as determined in consultation with the Country Teams. During country visits, UNICEF CO will facilitate working space for the consultant (preferably at implementing agency).The consultant will also work from home. Other travels within and outside region as appropriate.
• The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.

 

EVALUATION PROCESS:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Motivation letter.
2. Financial quote as monthly lump sum for professional fees.
3. CV.
4. Examples of previous relevant work or references are required
5. P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html ).

Note: Submitted offers should have validity period of at least 90 days from day of receipt. Shortlisted candidates may also be contacted for their interest in being part of the Regional Data, Monitoring and Evaluation Roster.

Successful applicants may be invited for further technical assessment.

 

“Candidates will not be considered if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.”