Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

How can you make a difference?

Under the guidance of the ROSA Regional Adviser for Social Policy, and in collaboration with the RTfT Project’s Senior Adviser, Section Chiefs and other colleagues at ROSA, the Senior Statistician will take overall responsibility for identifying datapoints, highlighting gaps in data availability, and assessing data quality for the 2021 Overview style Regional Report.

Accordingly, he/she will (a) review available quantitative evidence on the initial conditions, government responses, the way families, women and children have been coping with crisis impacts, and (b) make proposals regarding the indicators, data and tables to be used in the text and notes; (c) assess the quality of the often-contradicting data, estimates, projections, nowcasts, adding technical comments or footnotes, (d) advise on the way official and unofficial data should be presented and commented on in the 2021 Regional Report.

1. Key Assignments/Tasks:

1. 1. Review quantitative evidence on the initial conditions, government responses, the way families, women and children are coping with crisis impacts , and make proposals regarding the indicators, data and tables to be used in the text and notes.
   • Systematically review the publicly available datasets of the UN system (e.g. https://data.unicef.org/resources/resource-type/datasets/ as well as data published on the 2021 SOWC Excel files and compile a select set of indicators and statistical tables that highlights the most relevant dimensions of the initial conditions from a child and gender lens in South Asia using a comparative and dynamic perspective.
   • Explore 2020 and 2021 high frequency or ad-hoc surveys as well as administrative/routine reports and recent surveys that provide information on the changing situation and coping strategies of households, adults and children in South Asia. https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/lsms/brief/lsms-launches-high-frequency-phone-surveys-on-covid-19.
   • Pay special attention in this context to information from national HMIS, WHO and CDC data and estimates on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in the 8 countries, exploring, among others, the disaggregation data allow, such as age, gender, rural/urban and other socioeconomic status (at individual or community level).
   • Research projections, nowcasts and econometric simulations on key economic, demographic and social indicators. This should include, among others, available estimates, reports and projections on GDP, external and internal debt, inflation, and trade; changes in household consumption, poverty headcount, school enrolment, attendance, learning achievement, life expectancy, adult and child mortality (IMR, U5MR and adolescent fatality disaggregated, if possible, by cause). Use from national policy documents and media reports on official announcements, national plan and/or annual budget documents, budget speeches, as well as international databases and publications (such as the relevant data from UNDP, UNESCAP, the IMF, ADB, and the Word Bank).
   • Propose a limited set of tables and graphs that provide relevant quantitative evidence and help telling the story of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Asia so far - including its impact on economies, societies; governments’ responses; the vulnerability and resilience of children, women and their families and communities in different countries.
   • Participate in discussions with UNICEF colleagues and academic or UN system partners aimed at sharpening the Reports’ overall narrative and the main conclusions.
   2. Assess and comment on the quality of data and raised for the 2021 Regional Report.
   • Make an effort to triangulate and substantiate the evidence raised, when relevant and possible propose and use benchmarks from other countries and regions.
   • Establish data patterns, highlight outliers and conduct investigations that explain why the evidence shows unexpected trends or incoherent patterns.
   • Prepare metadata and attach methodological notes to graphs and figures as necessary.
   • Liaise with the ROSA research team preparing background papers for the RTfT series and provide feedback on usefulness and reliability of evidence as well as clarity and coherence of the draft texts’ findings; offer alternative solutions as necessary.
   3. Support dissemination and document data and sources for current and further utilization.
   • Prepare an Excel files showing all the graphs and tables used in the Regional Report. The file should also have a set of folders on indicators and data by theme, indicating source and metadata (with references, using, inasmuch as possible, links to the original source).
   • Support Report dissemination, speaking points and the preparation of background notes for media events.
   • Ensure that raised but eventually unused evidence and methodological notes are included and well documented in the Excel file for later use.

UNICEF ROSA holds copyrights for all the parts of the report. The documents (including raw materials, etc.) may not be reproduced or published without written permission from UNICEF.

Timeline/Workplan: Actual dates of consultancy may change and must be finalized in advance in consultation with the supervisor.

1. Key Deliverables (for consultants only)

1. Draft and finalized sets of indicators, list of statistical tables and figures.
2. Substantiated datasets in Excel, final infographics for the 2021 Regional Report.
3. Additional report-related datasets and metadata developed, stored in Excel.

NOTE:

• Due dates may shift due to unforeseen circumstances and with agreement of the supervisor/manager without need for amendments as long as the overall fee remains the same.
• The language of all the deliverables will be in English

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• 1. 1. Education:
  • University degree in economics, statistics, quantitative social sciences.

  B) Work Experience:

  • • At least 12 years of progressively advanced experience in statistics, monitoring and evaluation with focus on producing high profile publications and advocacy-related data products.

  C) Competencies:

  • • Experience of using analytical tools to inform strategic analysis, including work with statistical tables, figures and use quantitative and qualitative evidence in rigorous manner.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with the work of UNICEF and/or international development, humanitarian, and child rights issues.
  • Proven skills in conceptualizing and developing statistical indicators for high profile analytical reports, work with and substantiating multi-country evidence.
  • Proven ability to work in teams, think critically and seek out, synthesize and utilize large amounts of quantitative information.
  • Ability to triangulate evidence, work with incomplete information, assess data quality and reliability.
  • Expertise in using MS Office software and carrying out research and data analysis using statistical methods and tools.
  • Work experience in Asian countries an asset.
  • Fluency in English.
  • Ability to deliver timely and high-quality products under tight deadlines.
  • Be able to work independently as well as a good team player.

  D) Language Proficiency:

  Excellent command over written and verbal English language is a must.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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.

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.