Background and Justification
UNICEF places a high priority on the availability of recent and reliable information with which to monitor the situation of children and women. 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, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
UNICEF assists countries in collecting and analyzing data in order to fill data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women through its international household survey initiative the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). 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. MICS findings are typically among the most important sources of data within a country used as a basis for policy decisions and programme interventions, and for influencing public opinion on the situation of children and women.
As part of the global effort to increase the availability of high quality data, UNICEF is committed to work with countries to increase the frequency of MICS from every 5 years to every 3 years. The fifth round of MICS was officially launched in September 2012 following some methodology work. MICS5 questionnaires were developed through consultations with experts from UN organizations, inter-agency monitoring groups and other global household survey programmes. The first versions of MICS5 questionnaires were field-tested in a pilot survey carried out in May-June 2012 in Bangladesh. Regional workshops on survey design and data processing were also organized to support countries in the planning and implementation of their surveys.
MICS surveys are usually carried out by government organizations, with the support and technical assistance of UNICEF. Many lessons on improving the UNICEF technical support provided to government partners were documented in the MICS3 Evaluation. The MICS3 evaluation demonstrated that when countries adhered to the MICS protocols and recommendations and made use of the tools provided, the survey process was very smooth and the outputs are of good quality. However, in many countries, the provision of survey tools alone was not sufficient without the additional support of personnel providing technical assistance. In particular sampling and data processing fell short of international standards where decisions at the country level were made which were inconsistent with MICS3 protocols and where UNICEF Country Offices (COs) did not have the opportunity to consult with survey experts. As part of the MICS5 program, UNICEF will meet the challenge of assisting countries to comply with international standards that guarantee a minimum required level of resulting data quality, by mobilising technical support to countries at the regional level.
Across Eastern and Southern Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe will be analysing and producing reports using MICS5 data collected in 2014. With the exception of Kenya where the survey was conducted in three counties, in the remaining countries, the survey aimed at providing data for MDG reporting. ESARO is committed to providing technical assistance to other surveys that UNICEF COs engage in, usually through remote assistance, such as document and instrument review and guidance. The Regional Sampling Consultant recruited in 2014 provided technical assistance and oversight to the implementing partners in these countries, ensuring that MICS guidelines and protocols are being followed at all times. Although the fieldwork was completed in 2014, the surveys are currently in the final stage of data processing and analysis, report writing, and dissemination of survey results. This contract is a continuation of the technical advice conducted in 2014 and will ensure that ESARO can provide continued expert support to countries that conducted fieldwork for MICS surveys in 2014 and that need to finalize data analysis, survey reports and dissemination of survey findings and indicators during 2015.
Countries require specialized skills at different stages of a national household survey. Such skills are usually not available within UNICEF Offices. Therefore, to finalize the fifth round of MICS, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) will hire one highly experienced sampling consultant to provide the necessary technical assistance to COs during critical survey stages on a timely manner.
The Regional Sampling Consultant will support all countries in the region at various stages of survey preparation, design and implementation.
Scope of Work
Under the overall supervision of UNICEF’s Regional Survey Coordinator, the Regional Sampling Consultant will work in close collaboration with the UNICEF MICS Focal point, the UNICEF MICS Consultant, other UNICEF Regional Consultants, and sampling expert of the implementing partner in the particular country. During country visits, the consultant will be expected to implement capacity building activities with the implementing partner as required and organised by the UNICEF Country Office. The consultant may also be expected to facilitate the training for sampling related subjects, work with countries during MICS regional workshops, and contribute to the relevant methodological parts of the survey final reports. Main tasks include:
- Calculate and apply weights to the final datasets of the MICS surveys;
- Review the sampling appendix and related parts of the final report and provide technical comments and recommendations highlighting proposed changes, if any to the sampling chapter;
- Review calculations of the sampling error annex in MICS reports ;
- Respond to ad-hoc technical sampling queries from countries in the region.
Deliverables
- Sample design and multiple stage sample selection for selected countries.
- Training (depending on request) of survey coordinators in sample selection at cluster and household level;
- Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country visited;
- Report on response rates and calculation of sampling weights for each survey;
- Report on the sampling chapter for each final survey report finalised.
- All of the above summarized appropriately in consultancy progress reports (incl. documented time spent).
- In collaboration with the Regional Survey Coordinator, provide country and regional status survey updates to RO and HQ.
- All of the above summarized appropriately in consultancy progress reports (including documented time spent).
The total duration of the contract is 10 days over the period 20 February – 20 August 2015. The number of days will be distributed based on country needs and immediate availability for urgent work.
Desired competencies, technical background and experience
- At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology or any other related technical field with special expertise in survey sampling.
· At least 8 years’ experience in designing samples for household surveys (experience in countries
without recent census information highly desirable);
· Must be familiar with the sampling methodology of MICS and/or Demographic and Health Surveys
(DHS);
· Demonstrated training experience;
· Experience of working in developing countries;
- Fluency in English necessary and working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese an advantage;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Ability and willingness to travel to all countries across Eastern and Southern Africa;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;
- Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability.
Administrative issues
The PPME Unit, UNICEF ESARO, will provide quality assurance and oversight for the consultant’s work with substantial feedback on the quality of the data processing reviews.
Conditions
- The Regional Sampling Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary. During missions, UNICEF COs will provide working space for the consultant, preferably with implementing partner.
- UNICEF ESARO will provide license to SPSS for the period of contract.
- DSA will be paid as per UNICEF regulations.
- 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.
- Basic Security in the Field Training Certificate.
Travels to Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe and other countries as necessary as determined in consultation with the Country Teams. Other travels within and outside region as appropriate.
As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
The candidates selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts.
Risks
· Objectives in the ToR are not met
· Deliverables not completed
· Not delivering quality timely technical support to countries
The Regional Sampling Consultant will work in close consultation with the Regional Survey Coordinator. The Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, UNICEF ESARO, will provide quality assurance and oversight for the consultant’s work with substantial feedback on the quality of the data processing reviews.
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form (which can be downloaded athttp://www.unicef.org/kenya) quoting the indicative fee range (Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered) with subject line “ESARO/SSA/M&E/2015-013” and the consultancy title to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenhrvacanciesD@unicef.org
All applications should be sent by 15 April 2015
“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
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