Survey Consultant

Survey Consultant

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

UNICEF in Georgia carries out wide range of large household surveys in order to provide up-to-date critical data and evidence for decision-making on the situation of children and their families as well as in order to assess and evaluate impact of the different social protection programs on child wellbeing.

In 2018 UNICEF together with the National Statistics office of Georgia and in partnership with number of government as well as international partners carried out the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) round 6. MICS provide international comparable data on key indicators on mother and child wellbeing and SDGs. At the same time round 6 included first ever Blood Lead level survey among children 2-7. The MICS data has been collected and analysed and is in the process of finalization for the official launch of the survey.

Also, UNICEF together with the Ministry of IPD from Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MoIDPOTLHSA) is carrying out a large-scale impact evaluation of the Targeted Social Assistance program in Georgia with a specific focus on child cash transfers and food vouchers for children.

As part of its commitment to the partners, UNICEF is going to carry out 6th round of the Welfare Monitoring Survey (WMS6). The present survey is a critical tool for collecting socio-economic data on the panel households since 2009 and is actively used for informed policy making related to the poverty, social protection and child wellbeing.

Purpose of the Job

Under the overall supervision of Social and Economic Policy Specialist, the survey consultant will provide support to UNICEF Georgia and the GeoStat for the last stages of MICS6 survey. The survey consultant will support CO in further analysis of the data and evidence generated through MICS6 and develop regional, ethnic and IDP related profiles. The survey consultant will also support other sections and partners in identifying key issues that require further analyses using the MICS data.

The survey consultant will support the preparation, implementation and completion of the TSA impact evaluation field work in the country. The survey consultant will communicate effectively between  UNICEF Georgia, GeoStat, MoIDPOTLHSA and evaluation team responding proactively and promptly to TSA impact evaluation related needs and issues as they arise.

The survey consultant, will also support UNICEF CO in preparation, implementation and completion of the 6th round of the Welfare Monitoring Survey (subject to the availability of funds). The survey consultant will communicate effectively between UNICEF Georgia and field work implementing partner responding proactively and promptly to the WMS related needs as they arise.

The survey consultant will work in close collaboration with the survey teams, the stakeholders, and Steering and Technical Committees and will participate in meetings and workshops in relation to the surveys as needed.

Main Tasks Related to the Job

1. Support finalization and the launch of the MICS6 survey findings, develop regional profiles as well as snapshots for ethnic minorities and IDPs;
2. Support the sections in identifying areas for  further analysis of the MICS6 data;
3. Finalise, in collaboration with national partners and UNICEF Georgia, the Survey Plan and Budget, including timetable for the TSA impact evaluation field work;
4. Support each stage of the TSA impact evaluation field work, including survey planning, questionnaire design, sampling, training, fieldwork monitoring, data processing, data analysis, dissemination and archiving processes to ensure high quality data collection;
5. Support UNICEF CO in preparation of the 6^th round of the Welfare Monitoring Survey including in identification of data collection company. The survey consultant will then advise the survey coordinator and sampling and data processing experts, during survey planning, field work tool updates, sampling, training, fieldwork monitoring, data cleaning and data processing;
6. Ensure that all documents related to MICS6, TSA impact evaluation and WMS6 are properly archived throughout the survey process (for example: survey plan and budget, questionnaires, manuals, sample design, training/pre-test reports, output and tabulation plan tables, syntaxes, datasets, final reports, dissemination materials etc.);
7. Provide monthly updates on all above activities to UNICEF Georgia.

Deliverables

1. Monthly Progress Report, describing activities undertaken during the month and highlighting problems met and solutions put in place to mitigate them;
2. Field trip reports;
3. Presentations and training materials used in trainings, workshops, and other meetings.

Reporting Line

The survey consultant will report directly to the Social and Economic Policy Specialist in UNICEF Georgia.

Confidentiality of Data and Survey Documents

The survey consultant must respect the complete confidentiality of the MICS6, TSA impact evaluation and WMS6 survey data as well as any specific documents that will be produced throughout the process. The survey consultant can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these Terms of Reference.

Qualifications and Competencies

Education:

University degree in Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, Social Sciences (with quantitative focus) or other related field is required.

 Skills and Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in the coordination of large scale quantitative household surveys (previous experience with MICS, DHS is an asset);
• Experience of working with previous rounds of WMS as well as familiarity with the Targeted Social Assistance program in Georgia is an asset;
• Expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, particularly SPSS);
• Strong computer skills;
• Training experience and ability to organise and facilitate trainings and presentations;
• Experience in data analysis and survey report writing.

Other competencies:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent oral and written communications in Georgian and English languages required;
• Experience of working with the National Statistical Office;
• Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability;
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively in-country.

Office Arrangements and Travel Requirements

During the contract period, the survey consultant is expected to travel within the country. The travel expenses will be covered by UNICEF Georgia in accordance with UNICEF rates and procedures. The survey consultant will be based in UNICEF premises.

Estimated Duration of Contract and Fees

The survey consultant should get on board in autumn 2019 and should remain on board until all tasks are completed. The duration of consultancy will cover 11.5 months with a potential of extension.

The survey consultant is to indicate her/his gross monthly fee (GEL) for the services to be provided. Sick leave, off-hours, medical insurances, taxes will not be paid by UNICEF Georgia.

UNICEF Georgia reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete or not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.