Long Term Agreement (LTA) for MICS Consultants to support surveys in the LAC region, data management, data warehousing, visualization and analysis. (remote based) Re-Advertisement Categories 2 & 3

UNICEF provides technical assistance to countries in collecting and analysing data in order to fill data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women and to respond and track the progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030. Within this framework, technical assistance is required to a) support LACRO in various aspects of the implementation of the new round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS7) in LAC countries, and b) support LAC RO in its work to monitor the situation of children in the region.

Individual Consultancy Services: Long Term Agreement (LTA) for MICS Consultants to support surveys in the LAC region, data management, data warehousing, visualization and analysis

Duty Station: Home-based consultancy contracts

Duration of LTA: Three years 

Complete terms of reference: please refer to the attached pdf for all relevant information   LTA_data consultants LACRO_2023-2025 LC 2&3.pdf

BACKGROUND/RATIONALE 

UNICEF provides technical assistance to countries in collecting and analysing data in order to fill data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women and to respond and track the progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030. Within this framework, technical assistance is required to a) support LACRO in various aspects of the implementation of the new round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS7) in LAC countries, and b) support LAC RO in its work to monitor the situation of children in the region.

Since 1995, UNICEF has supported the implementation of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), assisting governments in generating high quality data on the situation of children and women. In 2023, the seventh round of MICS surveys (MICS7) has been launched with the objective of supporting countries to produce statistically sound and internationally comparable estimates in the areas of health, education and child protection, including a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators. The MICS tools generate information for over 30 SDG indicators and will be, along with other nationally representative household surveys important for the SDG reporting and tracking other national goals and priorities. This data is essential for developing evidence-based policies and programmes, as well as for monitoring countries’ progress toward national goals and global commitments. Currently over 10 countries will be conducting a MICS in the region, with potentially a few more joining by 2025.

Since 2020, UNICEF also started supporting countries to design and implement MICS Plus (telephone household surveys) to improve on near real-time data collection and reporting. In normal conditions, MICS Plus data collection is carried on a bi-monthly basis, and countries implementing MICS Plus need to be supported on a regular basis.

To respond to the increasing demands for technical support on the described initiatives, the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office (LAC RO) requires consultants to work with its Monitoring & Evaluation team and support Country Offices across the various stages from survey design, training, implementation, data analysis and dissemination. The concrete support includes review of survey tools like questionnaires and reports, organizing the pre-test, supporting training activities, fieldwork monitoring, data analysis and writing of reports. The Household Survey Consultant will be providing support to the above-mentioned stages of the household survey implementation.

This consultancy is part of the Regional Office strategy for providing technical support and quality assurance to Country Offices undertaking MICS and supporting countries’ efforts to monitor the situation of children.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

Under the direct supervision of the Data and Monitoring Manager/Regional MICS Coordinator in LACRO, the MICS consultant will support countries implementing MICS to ensure comparability, standardization of methods and adherence to MICS protocols. This will lead to data harmonization and elimination of data gaps on the situation of children in LAC countries by supporting the implementation of sixth round of MICS in selected countries in LAC. The consultant will also support the regional offices efforts to measure the situation of children in LAC through other surveys, further analysis of existing data, support to regional statistics groups, and other duties as needed.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which UNICEF LACRO provides technical support to country offices implementing MICS surveys during years 2023-2026 to ensure comparability, standardization of methods and adherence to MICS protocols

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

The consultants will have the responsibility for supporting the preparation, implementation, and completion of MICS in implementing countries under the guidance of the Data and Monitoring Manager/Regional MICS Coordinator in LACRO. The work will be carried out for assigned activities during survey planning, questionnaire design, sampling, training, data collection, data processing, data analysis, dissemination, and support sampling and data processing experts when needed, ensuring that MICS protocols and recommendations are always followed, and participate in developing/improving methodology and tools used for MICS surveys. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

Category 2: Sampling expert
Provide direct country support on the design of the survey sampling including the following activities: review of sampling frame(s) available, sample design, including calculation of sample size, sample selection, calculation of sampling weights and review once finalized, evaluation of sample implementation and assistance during the entire, implementation process with problems resolution and produce report to document the sample design and the calculation of sampling weights and estimates. Also conduct country training in the use of the MICS sampling tools and participate in and facilitate trainings as requested.
Expected deliverable 1: Report to document the sample design and the calculation of sampling weights and estimates. Country visits are usually part of the technical assistance
Delivery schedule: 2023-2025, depending on the timeline of the specific survey

Category 3: Data analysis and visualization
Support on data analysis and data visualization
Expected deliverable 1: Specific data analysis and data visualization products are finalized and delivered. This includes secondary data analysis using microdata sets from household surveys, primarily MICS and other household surveys. Support in the conceptualization and development of data analysis plans to answer specific research questions.
Delivery schedule: 2023-2025, depending on the timeline of the specific products.

DELIVERABLES

Consultant will be paid by deliverable per task agreed with the Supervisor (Regional Monitoring Specialist). Expected deliverables for this consultancy are:

ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA

The Long-Term Agreement will be for a duration of three years. The initial period would be for two years with an option for renewal for a subsequent 1 year on the same rates, terms and conditions, subject to satisfactory performance evaluation and continuing need for the service. The services of the consultant(s) selected under the LTA would be under controlled use and managed by the Regional LAC Office

QUALIFICATION/SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE

Category 2: Sampling
– At least 10 years of experience in designing samples for household surveys
– Must be familiar with the sampling methodology of MICS and/or DHS
– Knowledge and experience in different weighting procedures (propensity scores adjustment calculation desirable)
– Demonstrated training experience
– Experience working in developing countries
– Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN language (e.g., French) or Portuguese is desirable.
– Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners
– Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Category 3: Data Analysis
– Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics, Programming, Mathematics, Social Sciences, Demography, Data Science, Epidemiology, Public Health or another related technical field with significant statistics and data analysis component is required
– At least five (5) years of experience in working with quantitative data from household surveys
– Proven expertise in statistical analyses and software packages (eg R, Stata, SPSS)
– Proven expertise in data visualization packages (eg Power Bi, Python, Shiny, Tableau)
– Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language (e.g., French, Spanish) is desirable.
– Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Note: Candidates are free to apply to any category of expertise (1 or 2) based on their qualifications and experience. They can also apply for both categories. UNICEF will award LTA to top ranked 2-5 candidates under each category. A candidate may be awarded LTA for one or more than one category.

HOW TO APPLY:

The application to be submitted through the online portal should contain 4 separate attachments:

i. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skillset of the candidate (to be uploaded online under “Cover Letter” tab)

ii. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online under the “Resume” tab)

iii. A financial proposal (for the categories applied) per the attached template  Financial Bid – MICS _Data Consultancy _cat 2-3.doc

Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving (to be uploaded online under “Financial Proposal” tab).

iv. Supporting documentation evidencing expertise in direct country support (Category 1), sampling design (Category 2), data analysis & visualization with work sample (Category 3), example of web-based data product (Category 4). (to be uploaded online under writing sample or list of publication or portfolio of you works that is in line with the assignment described in TOR/Vacancy Announcement

Important Note: Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form; please mark “n/a or 00” under the fee-related questions in the online application form.

Without all the above four documents your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

  

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.