Organization: UN Children"s Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 18 Aug 2015
Background
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. 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 17 years and four rounds of MICS, 240 MICS surveys have been conducted in more than 100 countries.
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. 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 2013-2015, UNICEF is supporting the fifth round of MICS surveys. MICS is generating information for over 20 MDG indicators and was, along with other nationally representative household surveys, critically important for final MDG reporting. Towards the end of 2015 and in early 2016 the MICS programme will be preparing for the sixth round of MICS, which will be integral in reporting on existing global commitments and the new set of indicators emerging from the Sustainable Development Goals. MICS surveys are usually carried out by government organizations, with the support and technical assistance of UNICEF. When countries adhere to the MICS protocols and recommendations, and make use of the tools provided, the survey process goes very smoothly. However, in many countries, the provision of survey tools alone has not been sufficient without the additional support of personnel providing technical assistance.
As part of the MICS5 programme, UNICEF will continue strengthening its
MICS support mechanism at all levels, so that countries can receive the required level of technical assistance at critical survey stages and are in a better position to support the implementing partner.
In preparation for the 6th round of MICS and in an effort to timely report on
surveys conducted as part of the 5th round, UNICEF HQ will, therefore, hire an experienced household survey consultant to provide added expertise in conducting methodological and data quality analysis, produce or review global MICS tools, and advise countries on draft reporting.
Purpose
The Household Survey Consultant have the responsibility for supporting the on-going methodological work on MICS and to provide coordinated feedback on a number of MICS Final Reports.
Main Tasks
- Review of options for reporting water, sanitation and hygiene coverage by wealth quintile, as described in detail in appendix.
- Review of the MICS5 training guidelines and template.
- Review of survey tools for pre-MICS6 pilot.
- Review of MICS5 Final Report drafts.
- Final review of methodological paper on use of Kish grid in MICS questionnaire.
- Bias analysis of:
a. respondent (and non-response) to U5 questionnaire.
b. several aspects of anthropometric measurements.
- Comparative analysis of results of modules on Life Satisfaction, Tobacco/Alcohol, and Mass Media/ICT.
8.Computation of ASFRs and TFRs for MICS2 and MICS3 surveys, as well as for later surveys, including SEs of fertility rates.
- Review of current MPI and MODA syntaxes.
Deliverables
- For the task of reviewing options for reporting water, sanitation and hygiene coverage by wealth quintile:
a. Desk review of approaches used to report water and sanitation coverage across wealth quintiles,
b. Background paper summarising key findings from review of literature and analysis of the sensitivity of coverage and trends estimates by wealth quintile, and
c. MICS methodology paper on options for reporting water, sanitation and hygiene coverage by wealth quintile (30 days);
- Detailed review document on recommended and effected edits for immediate and long-term improvements to the MICS5 training guidelines and template (including integration of Measurer training) (10 days);
- Standard report on questionnaire and tools review of the MICS6 pre-pilot instruments (10 days);
- Standard report on 5 MICS Final Report reviews (surveys to be determined) (10 days);
- Finalisation of MICS Methodological Paper on the Kish table for printing (3 days);
- Reports of initial bias analysis of
a. respondent to U5 questionnaire and
b. of several aspects of anthropometric measurements (timing, measurer, age, etc.) (10 days);
- Report Initial comparative analysis of modules on Life Satisfaction, Tobacco/Alcohol, and Mass Media/ICT (between surveys and against other sources) (5 days);
- Tables and syntax for computation of ASFRs and TFRs for all applicable MICS2 and MICS3 surveys, as well as for later surveys, including SEs of fertility rates (5 days);
- Review of current MPI and MODA syntaxes (5 days); and
- Four consultancy reports (15 October 2015, 15 December 2015, 1 February 2016, and 31 March 2016) detailing number of days/hours spent on assignments. These reports and satisfactory submission of deliverables serve as triggers for payment of fees.
Duty Station
The Household Survey Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary.
Timeframe
The consultant is sought for a total of 88 days. The days are distributed according to estimated time for each deliverable above.
Start date: 1 September 2015 End date: 31 March 2016
Key skills, technical background and experience required
Education
- At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, or other related technical field with significant measurement or analysis component is required.
- At least 12 years’ working experience of which 5 years should be related to the coordination and/or management of quantitative household surveys. Prior MICS coordination/technical assistance experience is essential;
- Demonstrated expert knowledge of wealth index methodology is essential;
- Expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, SPSS highly desirable);
- Fluency in English. Intermediate skills in French, Russian, Portuguese, and/or Spanish is an advantage;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;
Confidentiality of Data and MICS Documents
The Household Survey Consultant must respect the confidentiality of the MICS data as well as any country specific MICS documents that will be produced throughout the MICS process. The Household Survey Consultant can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.
*Please see appendix in attached.
How to apply:
How to Apply
Applicants are requested to send their submissions to <**pdconsultants@unicef.org>with subject line: **“HQ MICS Household Survey, Consultant 2015” by**18 August 2015, 5:00pm EST.**
Applications must include:
· Cover letter,
· CV, and
· P11 form (http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc)
· Indicate where you heard about this advertisement
Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered. Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
NOTE: Files should not exceed 5.0MB limit
UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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