Consultancy - MICS6 Data Processing consultant(s) - 2 to 5 consultants, Data and Analytics (D&A) Section, DAPM NYHQ, home based

Throughout the past 25 years, the 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 in turn transformed MICS into an indispensable source of data for key global development initiatives, such as the SDGs.

Consultancy Title: MICS6 Data Processing Consultant(s) (2 to 5 Consultants)

Section/Division/Duty Station: Data & Analytics (D&A) Section /DAPM/ NYHQ – home based

Duration: 28 June 2021-15 December 2021

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Throughout the past 25 years, the 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 in turn transformed MICS into an indispensable source of data for key global development initiatives, such as the SDGs.

UNICEF is currently supporting the sixth round of MICS. The sixth round introduced a number of topics that has considerably expanded the coverage of MICS of the SDGs: with new modules such as water quality testing, early learning, social transfers, victimization and child functioning, MICS now covers 33 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 almost always carried out by government organizations, in particular by the National Statistics Offices, 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 is not sufficient unless complemented with additional support of experts providing technical assistance. The MICS programme has continued to strengthen technical support to countries, 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 2021 and 2022, UNICEF HQ will hire experienced data processing consultants 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.

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the Statistics Specialist (Data Processing Expert) of the MICS Team, the Data Processing Consultant will have the responsibility for supporting on-going methodological work on MICS, further review and provide recommendations for improvements of standard MICS data processing tools, and provide coordinated feedback on survey specific customized data processing tools and applications, as follows:

1. Provide technical inputs for further development and improvement of the MICS6 data processing tools;
2. Technically review the standard MICS6 CAPI Application in CSPro by checking the consistency between questionnaires, CSPro, MICS5 dictionaries, forms and algorithms;
3. Technically review the standard MICS6 tabulation programs by checking the consistency between questionnaires, list of indicators, tabulation plan and algorithms;
4. Technically review MICS6 data processing manuals and guidelines;
5. Report and document suggested improvements of the data collection (CAPI) and tabulation programs;
6. From a distance and in coordination and collaboration with the Global MICS Team,  review and provide feedback on the following country survey Data Processing materials, in order to ensure that they comply with MICS standards;

• Data entry /collection and editing application,
• Analysis programs and produced tabulations;

7. Provide data processing technical support to the Implementing Partners.

Two to five consultants are sought depending on skill sets of incumbents for a total of 135 days. The activities will be distributed based on expertise, languages, and immediate availability for urgent work.

Qualifications

(1) Education

• At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Information Technologies, Statistics, Demography, or any other related technical field with special expertise in data management.
• The individual should have:

Knowledge of the CSPro;

Knowledge of the SPSS;

Fluency in English and knowledge of another UN language as an asset. 

2) Work experience

• At least 8 years’ experience in data processing for household surveys.
• Must be familiar with the data processing approach of both MICS and Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS).
• Experience of working in developing countries.

3) Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners

Requirements:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and provide Personal History Form (P11) Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include:
• your daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference (can be downloaded here: https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_consultancy_assignments.html 
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.
  
  

U.S. Visa information:

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.  

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.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.