National Consultant - Research Officer, Dhaka, Bangladesh (Only for Bangladeshi)

UNICEF Bangladesh has started its new Country Programme (2017-2020) in January 2017, to strengthen system, capacity development and technical assistance to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics for the availability of credible and official statistics for the country, and programme sections of UNICEF Bangladesh office for better implementation of programme, research and evaluation and bridging the evidence-policy gap. During the last three years, SPEAR section has undertaken several surveys, studies, evaluation followed by developing knowledge management products and secondary analysis.

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, a better future…

Background:

UNICEF Bangladesh has started its new Country Programme (2017-2020) in January 2017, to strengthen system, capacity development and  technical assistance to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics for the availability of credible and official statistics for the country, and programme sections of UNICEF Bangladesh office for better implementation of programme, research and evaluation and bridging the evidence-policy gap. During the last three years, SPEAR section has undertaken several surveys, studies, evaluation followed by developing knowledge management products and secondary analysis.

In this last year of country programme cycle, the Social Policy, Evaluation, Analytics and Research (SPEAR) Section would undertake new secondary analysis of multiple Indicator cluster survey 2019 along with consolidating existing activities of data collection and preparation of new MICS round by the end of 2020. The SPEAR section also leads the country office in providing new analysis to the programme colleagues and management to support the programme and monitor the situation of the country in terms of the SDG goals and other country and UNICEF commitments for children.

The purpose of this assignment is to continue providing solid technical and data support of the existing data sets and the upcoming ECBSS, by the National Statistics Office, and to support the research agenda of the office– to the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist Research and the Social Policy Specialist – the Bangladesh Country Office wants to engage a Research Officer to cover the key functions outlined below.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Assignment:

Effective coverage of basic social services (ECBSS)

• Support in standardization of indicators and questionnaire development.
• Support in tools development and secondary editing of ECBSS data and dashboard.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI and CMPI)

• Support in further calculation of national and child-focused multidimensional poverty index.
• Support to analyze MPI and CMPI for Bangladesh from different survey when required.

Statistical analysis

• Support basic and advanced statistical analysis of both primary data collected by UNICEF and secondary data generated from the different large-scale household-based surveys.
• Support development of big data analytics in collaboration with Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics for SDG tracking.

Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)

• Support MICS-Education Analysis for Global Learning and Equity (MICS-EAGLE).
• Support secondary analysis to focus health, nutrition and child protection indicators using MICS datasets.

Data dissemination and advocacy

• Support preparation of draft technical notes for SPEAR section and BBS.
• Support updating Knowledge management websites/dashboards.
• Support effective and efficient ways to prepare and disseminate products; provide inputs for preparing data, analyses, publications, and other relevant products accessible and available through a variety of channels that target different audiences.

Report/policy brief/summaries

• Support preparation of summaries and briefs of the reports from the relevant research and knowledge products generated by the programme.

Tasks and Deliverables:

• Support national standards to measure ECBSS - indicators (numerator and denominator) and draft questionnaire
• Generate tables for water quality thematic (WQT) report for Bangladesh  
• Produce urban tables (slums /city corporation /Municipality)
• Produce urban tables (slums /city corporation /Municipality)
• Produce District atlas using MICS6 data and C-MPI/MPI
• MICS-Education Analysis for Global Learning and Equity
• Summaries/policy briefs and report are prepared
• Secondary analysis to focus health and nutrition indicators using MICS datasets 
• Secondary analysis to focus Child protection indicators using MICS datasets
• Further analysis to support Demographic Dividend report for Bangladesh and support preparation for new MICS round
• Update information in the Knowledge management dashboard and continue support preparation for new MICS round.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics or related subjects;
• At least five years of responsible experience in data analysis, research and evaluation;
• Excellent analytical skills and an in-depth understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• Good familiarity with the UNICEF MICS surveys; DHS surveys (essential);
• Strong knowledge on STATA, SPSS, ODK (essential);
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Bangla are required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. 

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.