Individual Consultancy: Social Policy Evaluation Analysis and Research - Support data, research, and Knowledge Management (KM)

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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, Water

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Assignment:

Under the supervision of the Chief of SPEAR, the Social Policy Specialist will support data, research, and Knowledge Management (KM) activities according to the 2021 and 2022 annual work plans agreed with the government.

Section Submitting:

SPEAR: Social Policy Evaluation Analysis and Research

Purpose and Objective:

UNICEF Mozambique Country Office (MCO) is in the process of developing a new five-year country programme of cooperation between UNICEF and the government of Mozambique for 2022-2026. As a large size CO with ongoing emergency situation in the northern part of the country, MCO operates in a dynamic, fast moving environment in which data and evidence generation forms essential part of accountability and learning. 2021 is a year of consolidation for ongoing MCO evidence projects that directly informs the country programme development process and contributes to the development of strategic policy and programme initiatives that aim at long-term support of UNICEF programmatic results in Mozambique.

The consultant post of Social Policy Specialist will support data and evidence function of the MCO. He /she is responsible for providing technical advisory support for quality assurance of the major research initiatives across all thematic areas with particular focus on child poverty and social protection, building national capacity in data generation for child monitoring and evaluation. The role also includes development of knowledge management activities in line with the new global KM strategy, working closely with Knowledge Management Officer.

The Social Policy Specialist reports to the Chief of Social Policy, Evaluation and Research (SPEAR), and works closely with Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) and all programme sections. The incumbent also supports coordination with the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for Demographic and Health Survey.

1. Methodology and Technical Approach:

Social Policy Specialist consultant will work closely with the SPEAR team, especially the team working on data, evidence and knowledge management. He/she will provide technical advisory to ensure all tasks are completed with quality and on timely manner. He/she will support coordination with the main partners to prepare new research (child poverty), to finalize and disseminate ongoing studies (SitAn, etc.) and to coordinate with Education team for supervision of ALDE researchers and ensure transition to the new phase beyond 2021. He/she will draft text on socio-economic context of the annual report 2021 as well as the final report of UNJP Social Protection. He/she also support dissemination of the impact evaluation of Child Grant programme with a broad range of stakeholders at national and subnational levels.

2. Activities and Tasks:

RESEARCH

• Lead the process for child poverty analysis using IOF 2019/20, working closely with MEF
• Provide technical advisory role to Education team for the Longitudinal Assessment of School Dropout Study (ALDE) including quantitative and qualitative components;
• Manage the upcoming gender study of social protection
• Technical support and guidance to research projects implemented by thematic sections including but not limited to Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice on WASH and nutrition, Social Norms and Disability study, Conflict Analysis on the situation in Cabo Delgado, among others, through quality assurance of TORs and deliverables.

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

• Oversight of the production of communication products for the Situation Analysis of Children in Mozambique and their dissemination at the national and sub-national levels;
• Working with Knowledge Management Officer, support implementation of the MCO knowledge management strategy, including:
  • Monthly evidence brownbag lunches
  • Regular updates on MCO evidence site (internal and external)
  • Organization of knowledge sharing events at national and subnational levels with partners
  • Thematic sections through other knowledge exchange products and events
• Support social protection communication and evidence dissemination strategy
  • Prepare dissemination strategy of the impact and process evaluations of Child Grant programme at national and subnational levels for policy dialogue for its expansion

DATA

• Coordination of technical and financial support to the INE in the implementation of ECDi2030, child functioning, child discipline modules as a part of the DHS 2021 in Mozambique
• Coordinate with INE for dissemination of the Child Atlas (child-focused brochure based on Census 2017) at the sub-national levels, to inform policy and programmes;

REPORTING/DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS

• Draft relevant sections of annual report (socio-economic context, etc.)
• Draft UNJP report on social protection
• Draft written knowledge management products for CO (as per request by Deputy Representative Programme)

3. Deliverables and Payments****:

Payments will be processed upon acceptance of the corresponding deliverable and against an invoice that will make reference to the contract reference and deliverable number. Payments will be approved by the respective section chief.

Deliverable 1:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 30 November 2021 (10 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Work plan, CG impact evaluation dissemination strategy

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 10

Deliverable 2:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 31 December 2021 (20 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Progress report, sections relevant to SPEAR on annual report 2021

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 20

Deliverable 3:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 31 January 2022 (20 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Progress report, draft (especially focusing on child poverty and PSSB gender study)

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 20

Deliverable 4:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 28 February 2022 (20 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Progress report, Draft UNJP final report

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 20 days

Deliverable 5:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 31 March 2022 (20 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Progress report, Final draft of the UNJP final report

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 20 days

Deliverable 6:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 30 April 2022 (20 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Progress report

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 20 days

Deliverable 7:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): 31 May 2022 (20 working days)

Deliverable/product(s): Final report

Payment (indicate amount or %): Daily fees x 20 days

4. Management and Supervision****:

Direct supervisor: Chief Social Policy, Research and Evaluation

Partners: MEF (DNPEH), MGCAS, INE

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

• • Advanced university degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Economics, or a related disciplines;
  • At least ten years of work experience in research, data, evaluation, social policy;
  • Proven technical expertise in data analysis, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies;
  • Proficiency in English is required and fluency in Portuguese/Spanish is considered a strong asset;

  Work experience:

  At least 10 years of relevant work experience in research, data analysis, report writing.

  Specific knowledge, competencies, and skills required:

  Quantitative data analysis

  Excellent writing skills, bringing data from multiple sources

  Teamwork

  Knowledge on UNJP on social protection in Mozambique as asset

  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.

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.

Remarks:

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.