National Individual Contractor- Data and Evidence for Children Expert, Long term Individual Contract on need basis, for Tajik nationals only, Tajikistan

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,

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

UNICEF is an organization with a universal mandate, representing the interest of children –- over one-third of the global population. The mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child and ensure every child has the opportunity to lead a decent life, realize their potential, and have their rights respected, protected, and fulfilled. The Strategic Plan 2022-2025 explicitly recognizes the critical role of evidence in achieving these results.

UNICEF’s work on data for children is based on a simple premise: We believe that better collection, analysis and use of data drives better results for children. When the right data are in the right hands at the right time, decisions can be better informed, more equitable, and more likely to protect children’s rights. As an organization, UNICEF has to respond to a world that is changing faster than ever before, changes that represent threats and opportunities. In this context, evidence becomes an increasingly important asset; evidence to guide interventions in favour of children in a diverse and changing landscape; evidence on if and how particular innovations and technological changes can work for children; evidence to underpin policy advocacy toward governments and other actors who set the policies that will make the most difference for children.

UNICEF's approach to data is based on a commitment to strengthening government systems. Because data are a core element of every part of the government with which UNICEF interacts, it is not limited to a single government office or sector. UNICEF also has a leadership role in influencing the policies, standards, and investments – both within and outside of government – that shape the future of data.

How can you make a difference?

The objective of the assignment is to generate a pool of pre-qualified candidates who can provide specialized technical and advisory support in planning and implementing research and data analysis for developing policy briefs, strategic plans, evidence-based advocacy materials and knowledge management around child rights issues. Major tasks to be accomplished relate to the following areas of expertise and will be specified in a separate Terms of reference for certain assignments.

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

*Estimated duration**:* *10-40 consultancy days per each assignment during three to nine months period, as per requirement*

*Duty station**:* *Dushanbe (or alternate station) or remote*

On-site working days: will be confirmed at the time of contract

Supervisor: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist/ Child Right Monitoring

Reporting to: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist/ Child Right Monitoring

SKILLS REQUIRED

The potential candidates will be required to have relevant professional experience (at least five years) as well as expertise and competencies in at least two or majority of these sub-areas as below and as applicable to the applicant:

Research and Household Survey Expertise

• Design a survey/study plan
• Develop/customize questionnaires and data collection tools (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Pre-test questionnaires and data collection tools, including preparation of pre-test report
• Manage/facilitate field-work training of enumerators/interviewers
• Monitor fieldwork and interpretation of field check tables
• Review and finalize tabulation plan in line with indicators
• Prepare/review and finalize survey report

Data Processing Expertise

• Develop and/or customize Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) applications for survey
• Test the survey CAPI application
• Train the enumerators/interviewers and supervisors
• Provide data processing support to survey teams in the field
• Develop, customize and review SPSS syntaxes in line with the agreed tabulation plan
• Monitor the quality of data
• Facilitate primary and secondary data editing
• Incorporate weights in the survey database
• Finalize survey data for analysis

Sampling Expertise

• Lead sample size calculation and sample allocation
• Lead selection of enumeration areas from the latest sampling frame
• Support household listing training and operation
• Support selection of households
• Lead sample weight calculations

Information and Knowledge management

• Conduct desk review of data and information systems
• Conduct assessment of quality and availability of administrative data and systems
• Develop and maintain data systems (including enabling interoperability and digitization of data platforms)
• Manage and harmonize data sets, including humanitarian and development data sets.
• Develop data dissemination tools and platforms
• Provide analytics, assess trends and measure outcomes through visualizations
• Conduct consultations and validation meetings
• Develop knowledge management products

Monitoring and Evaluation and Results-based Management (RBM)

• Develop training materials and modules on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) using RBM approach
• Develop M&E frameworks (including for national and sub-national strategic documents)
• Conduct trainings on RBM-based M&E
• Document good practices and lessons learnt

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

1. Education

• University degree from an accredited academic institution in statistics, epidemiology, social science, data science, qualitative, quantitative and/or economics or related field. Advanced university degree/ relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree are a strong asset.

2. Work experience

• Minimum of five years of experience in at least two or more of the areas listed above.
• Working experience and sectoral expertise in at least one of UNICEF's regional priorities for children in the region: human and child rights; child protection; access to the justice system; early learning and school readiness; Early Childhood Development; inclusive quality education; maternal and child health; prevention, care and treatment of children with HIV and AIDS; social protection; social inclusion; gender equality; public finance management; protection from risks of disasters; and adolescents well-being.

3. Competencies

• Technical expertise in one or more of the areas listed above.
• Knowledge of data collection/processing tools and statistical analysis software;
• Ability to work with different stakeholders from government institutions, academia, and NGOs.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to produce high-quality products, including reports and presentations;
• Ability to demonstrate, apply and share evidence derived from research;
• Adopt a flexible attitude and adaptability to rapidly changing circumstances;
• Overall knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes and procedures (desirable).

4) Language

• Fluency in English and Tajik (or Russian) languages;

RESERVATION

All materials developed, including raw data will remain the copyright of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to use

and modify them in the future.

TERMS OF PAYMENT

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered, or for failure to meet deadlines.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV with all supporting documents.
2. Financial quote for the service in TJS;
3. Two references
4. Related certificates
5. Applications without a financial quote will not be considered.

Queries can be sent to dushanbe@unicef.org with the subject line “National Individual Contractor- Data and Evidence for Children Consultant”. Applications must be received in the system by 10 June 2022 on our websites.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

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.

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. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).