Senegal: UNICEF WCARO - Consultant Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Senegal
Closing date: 16 May 2018

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Background

Statistically sound and internationally comparable data are essential for developing evidence-based policies and programmes, as well as for monitoring countriesâ€™ progress toward national goals and global commitments. Since 1995, UNICEF has supported the implementation of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), assisting countries in generating high quality data on the situation of children and women over the last 23 years across six rounds of survey in more than 100 countries across regions in the world.

MICS surveys are usually carried out by government organizations, with the support and technical assistance of UNICEF. It 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. For many countries, MICS surveys are among the most important sources of data used for situation analyses, policy decisions and programme interventions, and for influencing the public opinion on the situation of children and women.

During 2016-2018, UNICEF will support the sixth round of MICS surveys (MICS6). MICS will be generating information for 33 SDGs indicators and will be, along with other nationally representative household surveys, critically important for gathering baseline information in the countries. Across West and Central Africa Region (WCAR), current plans suggest that in 2016 and 2017 planning, preparation and fieldwork for MICS6 surveys will be initiated in Guinea, Sierra Leone, DRC, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, CAR while others as Mauritania, Mali, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire and City of Dakar will be completing the reporting of their MICS5.

To respond to the increasing demands for technical support, WCARO will hire a household survey expert to work alongside the MICS coordinator to support quality and speedy design and implementation of all activities linked to MICS in the region.

Purpose of the Consultancy

In the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Section of UNICEF WCARO and under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Regional MICS Coordinator, the Household Survey expert will work on supporting the preparation, design, implementation, data processing and completion of the MICS in selected countries in WCAR.

Major Duties/Responsibilities and Key Expected Results

Support the design, implementation, analysis and dissemination of MICS in WCAR.

Provide quality assurance on MICS datasets, data quality, tabulation plans and final report contents.

Provide organizational, logistic and technical support on MICS Regional workshops (design workshop, data processing workshop and dissemination and further analysis workshop) in the region or in other UNICEF regions when needed.

Support the recruitment of MICS consultants (identifying suitable candidate) in the region.

Review and provide feedback to COs and NSOs on the following documents for compliance with MICS standards;

a. Questionnaires and Manuals, including the translated versions

b. Sample design (in collaboration with the Regional Sampling Consultant)

c. Data entry, editing and recoding programmes (in collaboration with the Regional Data Processing Consultant)

d. Pre-test report

e. Tabulation plans

f. Datasets and tabulations (in collaboration with Regional Data Processing Consultant)

g. Key findings and final reports

Support countries remotely or through in-county visits at various implementation steps of MICS process and in collaboration with partners (usually National Statistic Offices) in carrying out the following survey activities:

a. Survey planning and questionnaire design

b. Pre-test training and pre-test

c. Fieldwork training and fieldwork monitoring

Provide country and regional status survey up-dates to RO and HQ, including updates for the MICS web site. Contribute to capacity development in MICS, mostly for data processing and analysis in the region

As requested by PME section, in collaboration with CSD section, and under the guidance of Global MICS team, provide technical support for WCA countries implementing baseline surveys for the Evaluation of the Child-Friendly Communities Approach (CFC) with Real Time Monitoring (RTM) on Child Survival initiative.

Deliverables

In accordance with the Global MICS Collaboration Framework:

Report on each survey design reviewed outlining key recommendations and proposed changes and how the survey plans meet or do not meet MICS technical standards.

Feedback on draft questionnaires using the questionnaire review form.

Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country visited.

Regional workshop trip report(s).

Presentations and training materials used in workshops and trainings.

Documented review of pre-test report with recommendations.

Documented review of the fieldwork training and data collection activity in each country with clear recommendations.

Review and feedback on field-check tables through e-mail.

Comments and feedback on each survey finding reports and full report reviewed, as necessary, using the standard review template.

Review of data dissemination plans and survey data archives with clear recommendations.

Evidence of other distance technical support through e-mail.

Developed/reviewed Listing guidance package, Monitoring Fieldwork Guide, and other standard tools for MICS6

Quarterly activity log with the name of a country, type of support, date and time spent for each task specified clearly, following the template that will be provided by UNICEF.

Evidence of distance technical supervision activity with WCARO MICS Coordination: bi-monthly call or webinar for reporting on the consultant quality support to the MICS6 countries.

Estimated Duration of the Contract

The consultant will work full time in this assignment (around 7 months)

Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel

Regional Household Survey Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary. The consultant will be expected to travel to countries and participate at regional MICS workshops and other MICS related meetings as needed. During country visits, UNICEF country office or the partner will provide working space for the consultant.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy

Consultancy fees: the shortlisted candidate will be requested to submit a financial proposition which will include the total costs of the consultancy.

Travel: Depending on the progress with the MICS6 implementation, the consultant is expected to travel to MICS6 countries in the region, to support the MICS related activities, including pre-test, CAPI test, main fieldwork training, fieldwork etc. Travel costs will be normally covered by the WCA UNICEF Regional Office, PM&E section. If any other additional travel costs have to be covered, the contract might be amended to reflect the required amount for travel as missions and budgets are confirmed. In this case the indicated amount will be presented with breakdown to highlight the component in detail.

Payment Schedule

The fees will be paid every month, upon submission of the log file which will be shared with the incumbent, and corresponding invoice detailing the deliverables achieved for the intended month.

UNICEF Supervisor

Direct supervision by the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist/ MICS Regional Coordinator and under the overall supervision of the Regional Chief, Monitoring and Evaluation.

Type of Supervision Required and Cooperation with New York Global MICS team

The UNICEF WCARO will provide quality assurance and oversight for the consultant's work with substantial feedback on the quality of the work.

As a full-time consultant and in line with MICS assistance framework, the Consultant will be a member of the Global MICS Team.

For each assigned MICS survey country, the consultant will work in close collaboration with the UNICEF MICS Focal point, the UNICEF National MICS Consultant and other UNICEF Regional MICS Consultants. Working closely with the Regional Statistics and Monitoring Specialist/MICS Regional Coordinator and the Regional Sampling and Data Processing Consultants, the Regional Household Survey Consultants will carry out technical reviews and advise COs and implementing agencies at key moments in the survey process. The Regional Household Survey Consultant will also, often together with the Regional Statistics and Monitoring Specialist and / or the Regional Sampling Consultant and / or the Regional Data Processing Consultant, carry out a series of country visits, in order to monitor progress and be present at critical stages of survey implementation.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

a. Education:

At least a Master's Degree or equivalent in Demography, Statistics or Epidemiology.b. Experience:

5 years' experience in implementation of Household surveys (Prior MICS/DHS coordination experience required);

Strong knowledge in data processing and statistical analyses (CSPRo for data processing and SPSS for data analysis) is highly desirable;

Knowledge of CAPI surveys

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

Ability and willingness to travel frequently to all countries across WCARO and other UNICEF regions if needed.

c. Language:

Fluency in French and in English required; knowledge of Portuguese in addition is an asset; Please note that working knowledge of English is required for all assignments.

Excellent oral and written communications in both languages.

11. Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Competencies:

Communication, Level 2

Working with People, Level 2

Drive for Results, Level 2

Functional Competencies:

Analyzing, Level 2

Applying Technical Expertise, Level 2

Planning and Organizing, Level 2

Following Instructions and Procedures, Level 2

Critical Competencies:

Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners.

Demonstrated quantitative analysis, survey design and implementation.

Remarks:

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

Payment will only be made for work satisfactorily completed and accepted by UNICEF.

How to apply:

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=512782