International Consultancy to Child Poverty Measurement and Analysis in Eswatini, Remote/home-based with in-country (Eswatini) missions

Consultant Programme & Policy

Contract

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

The main goal of the assignment is to deepen the understanding of child poverty in Eswatini by employing and promoting the monetary and non-monetary approaches, with a particular emphasis on the national multiple and overlapping deprivation analysis (N-MODA) methodology, in order to provide robust evidence to support the prioritization of children's needs in national development plans (NDPs) and budgets.

Specific objectives include:

• To enhance the knowledge of relevant government officials and other stakeholders about child poverty in both non-monetary and monetary dimensions, as well as the MODA approach for child poverty measurement; and • To provide hands-on technical assistance to the Technical Working Group/TWG government members for them to generate estimates of national multidimensional child poverty in Eswatini, using the sixth round of the Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)/ MICS 6 data .

Scope of Work:

Background:

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Eswatini is seeking expert services from a qualified individual to provide expert support to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MOEPD) and the Central Statistical Office (CSO) to undertake a national multiple and overlapping deprivation analysis (N-MODA) based on the sixth round of the Eswatini Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)/ MICS 6 data. The analysis will result in the production of a national report on child poverty, and UNICEF views this as an opportunity to institutionalize child poverty measurements in existing national surveys and make them more routine.

UNICEF is a global leader in the measurement and analysis of child poverty, working in over 80 countries over the past several years. Understanding the situation of child poverty is essential for developing child-sensitive programmes across different social sectors e.g., education, health, child protection, and social protection, that improve the lives of children. When assessing child poverty and vulnerability, UNICEF has unique advantages and experiences. National poverty lines are the primary benchmark for reducing poverty. It is essential that children are routinely reflected in these poverty lines.

Available evidence suggests that children are more likely to live in poverty than adults. It emphasizes the need to prioritize children specifically in national development plans (NDPs). The key to breaking the vicious cycle of intergenerational transmission is addressing child poverty. The measurement of the extent of child poverty is a crucial first step in the fight against poverty. To accurately measure child poverty, non-disposable household income factors that affect a child's well-being must be included.

MODA is a comprehensive approach for analyzing the multidimensional aspects of (child) poverty and deprivation. This approach is designed by UNICEF to facilitate the analysis of inequalities and to provide tools for identifying children in need. MODA adopts a holistic definition of child well-being, focusing on the child's access to essential goods and services for survival and development.

Ending child poverty is crucial for both the fulfilment of every child's rights and the future of Eswatini. If poverty is not addressed comprehensively, it prevents children from reaching their full potential and impedes national development, including progress toward the country's National Development Strategy (Vision 2022). Notably, in Eswatini’s National Development Plan 2023/24-2027/28, one of the key targets the Government set is to “reduce the child poverty rate from 56.5 percent in 2016 to 40 percent in 2027”. In addition, the UNICEF Eswatini Country Programme Document (CPD) 2021-2025 pinpoints child poverty assessment as a priority in terms of strengthening the evidence base for improving policies and programmes to address the rights of the marginalized, identify gaps in service delivery and in assessing vulnerabilities, and implement programmes on reducing disparities and vulnerabilities.

In Eswatini, the N-MODA was used to develop a framework for facilitating child-focused poverty and multidimensional deprivation analyses. In 2017-2018, UNICEF conducted a child poverty assessment in collaboration with MOEPD and CSO based on 2014 MICS )/ MICS 5 data; the generated report of "Multidimensional Child Poverty in the Kingdom of Eswatini" provided empirical evidence to inform government efforts in fighting against child poverty.

According to the 2018 Eswatini N-MODA report, while poverty levels have decreased over the past decade, the proportion of people living below the poverty line is 58.9 per cent. This is more pronounced in rural areas, where 70 per cent of the country’s population resides, depending mostly on subsistence agriculture. Twenty per cent of the country’s population lives in extreme poverty, with children and adolescents constituting 59 per cent of people living in extremely poor households. Multidimensional child deprivation is alarmingly high, with 56.5 per cent of children deprived in four or more dimensions of well-being.

In Eswatini, the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a multitude of external and internal shocks threatens to impact children and families the most. It is projected that the number of children living in multidimensional poverty, i.e., without access to education, health, housing, nutrition, water, or sanitation, will increase, resulting in an exacerbation of child poverty in the country. Also, there is a growing concern for the well-being of the children of Eswatini affected by the combination of displacement, intense violence and poverty. Consequently, it is necessary to conduct the updated measurements on child poverty and deprivations in the country, to better target the most disadvantaged and develop multi-sectoral responses that are tailored to the needs of various child groups.

Work Relationships:

The selected Consultant will work directly under the supervision of the UNICEF Eswatini Country Office (ECO)’s Social Policy Specialist, MOEPD and CSO. S/he will work with the Technical Working Group/TWG (UNICEF Social Policy, UNICEF PME, MOEPD, CSO, and other institutions which are identified and agreed to be a part of the Group) throughout the entire study process. Notably, the Government members of the TWG are leading the implementation of N-MODA analytics.

The consultancy is expected to take 50 days over the period of June to December 2023. The consultancy will follow the schedule in line with the expected deliverables and timelines. It will only be negotiated if the delay is due to conditions beyond the control of the Consultant.

Activities and Tasks:

1) Capacity Development of Technical Working Group and Other Stakeholders

The first part of the assignment is the facilitation of training workshop for the TWG government members covering MOEPD, CSO, and planners/economists of other line ministries as well as other stakeholders on multi-dimensional child poverty measurement, based on an agreed set of modules to capacitate them to produce and analyze child poverty measures in future, specifically include: • Supporting the theoretical training on child poverty and MODA approach, e.g., for why, what and how of multi-dimensional child poverty measurement, also in comparison with monetary poverty; and how to form an analytical framework of MODA for Eswatini.

2) Hands-on Support for Child Poverty Measurement Analytics

The second aspect of the assignment is to provide hands-on support to the TWG (Government) to generate monetary and multi-dimensional child poverty figures and commentaries.

The assignment specifically includes the following two parts: • Leading the hands-on training on implementing MODA and based on the preliminary data of MICS 6, i.e., through a step-by-step instruction approach and via the use of STATA to help the TWG government members prepare for the actual analysis of MICS 6 data. • Guiding the TWG government member through every step of the analysis and ensure that the analytical results are of high quality.

The MODA analysis should produce national and regional figures. There are four regions in Eswatini. The MODA will be based on data from the MICS 6.

The analysis includes the key components as below: • Reviewing dimensions, indicators, thresholds, and age groups developed in 2017/2018 (first N-MODA report in Eswatini) in order to make the MODA nationally relevant. • Estimating a child deprivation headcount ratio for each indicator. • Selecting profiling variables and constructing a profile of deprived children for each dimension. • Estimating the number of dimensions in which a child is deprived. • Calculating the share of children deprived in given dimensions, at the national and regional level and by subgroup. • Identification of multidimensionally deprived children through estimation of the multidimensional child deprivation headcount ratio (H) and average intensity of deprivation (A) among the deprived for each age group using various cut-off and subsequently the adjusted multidimensional child deprivation headcount. • Deciding upon and estimating monetary child poverty. • Carrying out a deprivation overlap analysis and constructing a profile of the children in the deprivation overlaps.

The main output of the analysis is the production of a report with figures, graphs and other visuals showing the child poverty situation, trends, and dynamics. The report is not expected to include benefit incidence, costs or affordability of services analysis.

3) Reviewing and editing the draft Child Poverty Policy Report

UNICEF Eswatini and the Eswatini Government will use the analysis report to produce a comprehensive Child Poverty Policy Report. The Consultant will be requested to review flow, accuracy, structure and overall outlook of the report, to ensure quality and accuracy.

Management Oversight:

The assignment will be under the Social Policy Section of the UNICEF Eswatini Country Office. The selected institution will work closely with the TWG. Coordination with the TWG will be required. The assignment will be supervised by the Social Policy Specialist. The overall quality of work will be assessed by a core group composed of representatives of MOEPD, CSO, and UNICEF.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline

Estimate Budget

1. Developing training modules on meaning and measurement of multi-dimensional child poverty for the TWG.

This deliverable can be achieved remotely. A minimum of a week will be required between completion of this deliverable and the next one to allow for review of modules by UNICEF

• Training package development for hands-on exercise on child poverty assessment and analysis
• Agenda of the hands-on training workshop

June-July 2023

(10 working days)

30%

2. Providing hands-on Support for TWG and other stakeholders on MODA delivered. This includes supporting for both capacity development (training workshops) and MODA analytics.

The Consultant will provide both remote and in-country technical support to the Government members of the TWG – detailed arranged to be further agreed upon between the Consultant and UNICEF Eswatini.

The training workshops will be delivered into two phases – theoretical and hands-on exercise. It is also important to note that the Consultant will be required to be in Mbabane at least one full working day before and after the training workshops. And the Consultant is expected to guide and provide support for the Government to come up with the finding report - the comprehensive Child Poverty Policy Report will be produced by the TWG.

• Training delivery support for the phase I of the capacity building theoretical)
• Leading training delivery for the Phase II of the capacity building (hands-on exercise on child poverty analysis)
• Providing guidance and support throughout the Government’s work on child poverty analysis and for the draft report development

July - October 2023

(30 working days)

40%

3. Providing quality assurance of the draft Child Poverty Policy Report arising from the above analysis reviewed.

This deliverable can be achieved remotely

• Supporting the child poverty analysis report consolidation and finalization

November-December 2023

(10 working days)

30%

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

• An advanced University degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Statistics, Economics, or other relevant social science; • At least 10 years of relevant experience and proven research experience in quantitative research/statistical analysis; • Demonstrated familiarity with household-based surveys and ability to analyze and synthesize information from a broad range of sources; • Previous experience in analyzing MICS data is required; • Demonstrated experiences of conducting poverty analysis; • Ability to use data analysis to examine equity issues related to gender and other forms of social identity in relation to child poverty is a desired asset; • Solid experience in facilitating training workshops for diverse groups of people (technical and non-technical) and working with local counterparts. • Excellent report writing skills and analytical skills; • Proficient in academic writing and presentation in English; • Competence in econometric analysis techniques particularly for STATA use.

Administration:

• UNICEF will not provide laptops or desktop computers. The Consultant will provide his/her own laptop. • Logistical arrangements of the Workshop will be provided by UNICEF ECO. • The Consultant will budget for office supplies to be used during this consultancy. • The consultant may not travel without a signed contract and authorization to travel prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station. • As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary”. • The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contract

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors 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.

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.

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.

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Added 10 months ago - Updated 10 months ago - Source: unicef.org