Consultants for the Secondary Analysis of MICS Data (2 positions)

Contract

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UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. UNICEF’s office is accessible to a certain extent, and employees are entitled to reasonable accommodations that are needed for ensuring equitable working conditions.

UNICEF’s current Country Programme Document for Serbia (2021-2025), consistent with government priorities and the UNICEF Strategic Plan, aims to contribute to the national efforts to progressively fulfil the rights of all children in Serbia, especially the most disadvantaged and excluded ones, and enable them to develop to their full potential in an inclusive and protective society respectful of their voices. 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.

Serbia is one of the few countries in which all six rounds of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) were implemented. In 2019, the survey was carried out by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia with technical and financial support provided by UNICEF, and financial support from the European Delegation and UNFPA in Serbia. In addition to the traditional MICS indicators, country-specific indicators were included. Standard outputs of the 2019 Serbia MICS and 2019 Serbia Roma Settlements MICS include the Final MICS report and Statistical snapshots.

Work Assignment Overview:

In order to utilize the full potentials of the surveys, UNICEF Serbia will be conducting further analysis in selected thematic areas to develop studies using the available data collected through the MICS surveys conducted in Serbia since 2005 and other relevant data sources. For this purpose, UNICEF is recruiting 2 consultants for each thematic area, as specified above.

The aim of the assignment is to develop in-depth analyses in selected areas, on the basis of 2019 MICS data, as well as datasets from previous MICS rounds. Analyses can be expanded, where relevant, to other related and reliable data sources (e.g. Survey of Income and Living Conditions, National Health Survey, Census, PISA, etc.). The analyses should have an equity focus and provide a comparative analysis between the status of the general population and different vulnerable groups of children and women as per their different background characteristics.

Duration of the assignment: August – November 2021 (part-time; number of workdays will be determined based on the complexity of tasks for each thematic area)

Task description:

Task 1: Develop a Conceptual framework for the study and a data analysis plan:

• Review the final MICS reports and other MICS-related documentation,
• Review other relevant data sources that could be used in analysis,
• Define a specific research question for the theme, identify key indicators for analysis taking into consideration relevant national and EU strategic frameworks as well as priorities of the UNICEF program in Serbia,
• Define the outline of analysis, recommend key issues and propose methods/approaches to be taken for secondary analysis,
• Propose data analysis plan that should contain proposal of the further disaggregation relevant for the thematic area (sex, region, urban/rural, wealth index etc.) and cross-tabulations, trend analysis, etc.

Task 2: Review data analysis:

• Following the review and approval of the data analysis plan by UNICEF, conduct analysis in collaboration with UNICEF’s MICS Consultant, including further disaggregation, cross-tabulation and significance tests as long as technically feasible (after taking into consideration sample sizes, survey designs and confidence intervals). Reporting on confidence intervals is necessary.
• Deliver tables generated as per the tabulation plan and additional or revised SPSS syntaxes to the UNICEF office for review (including confidence intervals if not already estimated).
• Consult and reflect feedback/inputs from UNICEF, especially in regard to interpretation and triangulation of data.

Task 3: Develop a thematic study report for the assigned thematic area:

• Draft a thematic study report with narrative and tables duly integrated and delivered to UNICEF Serbia office for review,
• Finalise the report reflecting comments from the UNICEF office. The final report should contain an executive summary, introduction, brief description of the methodology including key limitations of the analysis, analysis by identified areas, and conclusions including key findings and recommendations for further research/analysis where relevant, annexes with detail methodology and other technical details of the analysis.
• Develop policy brief/key findings summary communicating the main findings and recommendations from the secondary analysis,
• Prepare materials (ppt presentation, draft list of participants) for and conduct a one-day data dissemination workshop aimed at familiarising key partners with the methodology and findings of the analysis,
• All the deliverables and outputs are expected to be developed in English language. The consultant is expected to review and approve translation of the final thematic study report in Serbian.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• A university degree in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics or any other related technical field;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in analysis of and reporting on survey data;
• Strong computer skills and strong expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, particularly SPSS);
• Experience in data analysis and survey report writing;
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills;
• Excellent knowledge of Serbian and English language;
• Demonstrated ability to respect research ethics, including proper use of datasets;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners.

How to apply:

The application must include a financial proposal in RSD as a separate document, providing the following information:

1. Daily rate (all-inclusive, e.g. usage of mobile phone, etc.).

Important notes:

Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

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

For every child, you must demonstrate UNICEF's core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.