Home based : Data Ingestion and Analytics Consultant - 144 working days between 01 November 2023 and 15 October 2024 - Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO)

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.

For every child, an advocate

Scope of work

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

The Programme, Planning & Data Section (PP&D) of ECARO is seeking a skilled ‘Data Ingestion and Analytics Consultant’ to play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of data initiatives for the TransMonEE (Transformative Monitoring for Enhanced Equity) database and website (www.transmonee.org). This role is integral to UNICEF's commitment to providing timely and reliable information for evidence-based policies and programmes. The consultant will undertake data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) techniques for the ECA Regional Database for Children, ensuring accuracy using real-time and batch methodologies. The consultant will also address ETL errors promptly, including handling adjustments to API requests and other source-related issues.

Additionally, the Consultant will undertake creating and enhancing key data products, such as the TransMonEE dashboard. This web-based platform offers stakeholders direct access to interactive data and visualizations derived from the ECA Regional Database for Children. Ensuring data accuracy across TransMonEE initiatives is another crucial aspect of this role. This involves updating information for over 800 indicators linked to child rights in Europe and Central Asia. In summary, the consultant will play a central role in maintaining data consistency and accessibility, driving effective decision-making and impactful change.

Activity and Deliverables

This role amalgamates expertise from diverse domains to effectively contribute to UNICEF's mission of advancing child rights monitoring and evidence-based policy development. The consultant will undertake pivotal responsibilities across multiple dimensions:

• Data Ingestion and ETL Programming: The consultant will be responsible for maintaining and developing the ETL process, including reviewing existing data sources, generating error reports, harmonizing diverse data sources, and applying specific data transformation and validation processes. Clear documentation of the ETL process in SharePoint will be a key aspect of this role.
• Development of Dashboards and Visualizations: The consultant will play a pivotal role in developing and enhancing the TransMonEE dashboard and other data visualizations. Proficiency in web development skills, particularly using Plotly and Dash, will be essential to create interactive and visually appealing data representations for the website that provide valuable insights to users.
• Updating and maintaining the master file that will serve as a basis for the evolution of the ECA CRM framework indicators.
• Documentation and Replicable Methodology: Rigorous documentation of the Python-driven ETL process is paramount to ensure a seamless workflow. Adhering to a structured programmatic approach ensures consistency and efficiency.
• Data Product Enhancement and Innovation: The consultant's role may expand to include the research and development of new products and innovative solutions in alignment with the evolving needs of the Programme, Planning & Data Section. The consultant will also develop a country snapshot webpage and CRC recommendations component or page.

This combined skill set empowers the consultant to enrich the TransMonEE database, create impactful visualizations, and contribute to UNICEF's mission of advancing child rights monitoring and evidence-based policy development.

The deliverables and tasks (below) shall be recorded and maintained in the reporting timesheet by the consultant.

Tasks/Milestone****Monthly deliverables/Outputs****Timeline1. Development and Maintenance of ECA Regional Database for Children:

The consultant will be responsible for updating and maintaining the comprehensive ECA Regional Database for Children -a vital repository housing over 600 indicators crucial to children's rights.

The data, drawn from 15+ international databases and NSOs within the TransMonEE network, will be continually updated via Python-scripted extract, transform, and load (ETL) processes executed on Azure Databricks.

This includes review of ETL errors, solutions to maintain zero ETL errors and maintain the database documentation.

• Data for new indicators requested by the supervisor have been extracted, transformed, and ingested into the database by means of API queries or batch ingestion. Annual target: 30 new indicators along with disaggregation
• The ETL error log has been reviewed, any new issues have been reported to the supervisor, and these ETL issues/errors (including but not limited to broken API links, code mapping changes, and URL address API query revisions) have been resolved or are in the process of being resolved. Monthly target: Zero errors in the error reporting log.
• Update data database documentation has been updated to reflect any changes or updates to the processes. Monthly target: One review of data dictionary and update in line with the Excel master database.

November 2023 through October 2024, by the end of every month

5 days a month (60 days in total)

2. Development and Maintenance of TransMonEE Dashboard:

The consultant will spearhead the evolution of the TransMonEE dashboard, an interactive gateway offering data and visualizations derived from ECA Regional Database indicators.

• New features have been added and enhancements have been made to the interface of the TM dashboard including country profiles according to feedback from the programme section and other stakeholders.
• New indicators have been integrated into the TM dashboard according to requests from the section.
• The data transformation script has been updated to adapt to changes in the data coming from the ECA Regional Database for Children or other sources. Monthly target: 5+ issues resolved, new features added, or enhancements made to the dashboard.

November 2023 through October 2024, by the end of every month

4 days a month (48 days in total)

3. Development and Maintenance of ECA Child Indicator List:

The consultant will curate the ECA Child Indicator List, a dynamic compilation of indicators aligned with key child rights concerns in the region, meticulously categorized into 35 sub-domains.

• Timely and accurate updates have been made to the ECA Regional Database for Children master list, which contains all comprehensive, current, and accurate information for every indicator and details which indicators feature in ECA Child Rights Monitoring Framework, the TransMonEE dashboard and the Digital State of Children Rights portals for 13 countries in the region.
• Comprehensive research and assessment of current indicators and prospective indicators to be incorporated into the list has been conducted, premised upon the suggestions and guidance from the section team, as well as counterparts in other sections and country offices.
• Updates have been made to the data products affected by any change to the master list, or the changes have been communicated to other team members to make the updates.

Monthly target: Zero pending updates or issues that need to be resolved in the indicator list.

November 2023 through October 2024, by the end of every month

1 day a month (12 days in total)

4. Comprehensive Data Analysis and Visualization Support:

The consultant will offer comprehensive analysis and visualization support for the Programme, Planning, and Data section, potentially including the research and development of innovative new data solutions.

• If applicable, the consultant has researched and developed new data solutions in response to evolving needs (discussed in the weekly meeting with supervisor), contributing to the enhancement and diversification of data products for the organization's initiatives.
• If applicable, the consultant has reviewed, tested, and given feedback on the design and functionality of other data products such as the CRC dashboard and the ECACID dashboards.
• If applicable, the consultant has reviewed, proofread, and given feedback on reports produced by the section.
• If applicable, the consultant will design and develop country profiles to be integrated into the TransMonEE website.

Annual target: At least five products piloted by capturing the new or revised features. Cumulative summary report to capture the status of each product.

November 2023 through October 2024, by the end of every month

2 days a month (24 days in total)

Estimated Duration of the Contract

144 working days from 01 November 2023 to 15 October 2024

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home based consultancy with no travel.

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. Please propose a Professional Fee for 144 working days between 01 November 2023 to 15 October 2024 to undertake this assignment.

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

• First university degree (Bachelor's) in Data science, data engineering or related field is required.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required

Required experience

• At least 3 years of relevant working experience
• Proven proficiency as a Python Developer, leveraging extensive expertise in data analytics and visualization - Dash, Tableau and Power BI.
• Established track record of designing, developing, and maintaining complex ETL processes, ensuring the precision and comprehensiveness of integrated data.
• Fluent in the English language.

Desirable experience and skills

• Demonstrated web-based frameworks, particularly Plotly and Dash, for crafting interactive and visually engaging data dashboards.
• In-depth knowledge and expertise in child rights monitoring indicators relevant to the ECA region, utilizing this understanding to inform data analytics and data ingestion strategies.
• Keen problem-solving acumen, coupled with the ability to work independently and remotely on intricate technical projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to facilitate seamless collaboration, reporting, and documentation.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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

Remarks:

Please include a full CV, and a Financial Proposal in your application by indicating your availability and a lumpsum based on 144 working days to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.