National or International Consultancy : Technical Support in the design and development of data use products and information management systems

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, Care...

The Malawi Country Office (MCO) is currently implementing its sixth Country Programme of Cooperation (2019-2023). Data has been at the centre of the implementation of results-based programmes. The current Country Programme Document (CPD) emphasises the need for real-time reporting to inform the evidence-based implementation of programmes that facilitate the realization of the rights of every Malawian child, especially the most disadvantaged. MCO has made progress in data management over the years, particularly with the establishment of the data intelligence node called Predict, Prevent, Prompt and Promote resilient Communities and change for Children (4P2C). The platform was designed and developed to promote the use of data to predict, prevent, prompt and promote resilient communities and change for children.

The 4P2C platform has supported programme sections in responding to data needs. The GIS-based platform has served as the main data repository for MCO. Clear maps of layers of information on where interventions are being carried out, associated with additional relevant information can be found and accessed on the 4P2C platform. With increased demands for data-driven decisions using both geospatial data and non-spatial data, MCO aims to improve the data function, data use and knowledge management to respond efficiently and effectively to multiple data needs from the programme sections.

The programme sections within MCO have recently expressed interest in streamlined approaches to data availability and accessibility. As the current CPD draws closer to the end, in 2023, a systematic review of data workflows, tools, and data needs, should inform the design and development of an easy-to-use information management system and data use products. This will help MCO’s data function to be well-positioned to facilitate programme implementation for the next country programme. Furthermore, the exercise will support the data action plan for the Malawi office which seeks to link the key priority areas of work for children, the country’s data landscape and recommendations for short, medium and long term potential data investments with guidance from regional office and UNICEF headquarters.

To enhance and promote information management and real-time information availability through infographics and visualisation, and structured knowledge management, there is a need for innovative approaches to the data workflows. The streamlined data workflows should start from the identification of data sources and then automate data extraction from multiple data sources in the respective sections to the transformation of the data and the loading of the data in a more usable form to a central location, to increase data harmonization/ interoperability, promoting organisational effectiveness and ultimately driving results for children in Malawi. The following attributes are enablers for a robust functional information management system, and as such should be considered as part of the assignment:

• Clear policies and procedures for data use
• Use of structured metadata standards for data documentation to enhance automated data exchange, discoverability and reuse
• Faster decision-making based on well-structured information
• A data structure to ensure preparedness for an increase in the data flow, i.e during emergencies
• Preparedness for possible infrastructure failure
• Available technical support for data management and data use

The services of an experienced and qualified consultant are therefore required to support the Malawi Country Office in the assessment, design, development, implementation and capacity building for data use and data management tools to be developed. This will be carried out in close collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including Programme Planning and Monitoring (PPM), Innovation section, ICT section and all programme sections. Guided by UNICEF’s guidelines on data, including responsible data use for children (RD4C), the consultant is expected to support with the following specific tasks:

1. Inception workplan
2. Assessment and evaluation of the current MCO’s data ecosystem
3. Design data products; including for inventorying, storage, protection, harmonisation and reporting
4. Informed by the assessment report, develop or implement data tools
5. Develop data management SOPs and Data use checklists
6. Capacity building; develop training materials, FAQs, and guides for the data tools
7. Maintenance plan
8. Final report

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the UNICEF Monitoring Specialist, with the oversight of the Chief Programme Planning and Monitoring (PPM) and Deputy Representative Programme, supported by the T4D Specialist and/or Drones and Data Specialist, the consultant will work closely with the data task team members and all Section Chiefs to:

1. Conduct a thorough assessment of the data ecosystem in MCO, to identify bottlenecks and opportunity areas for improvement. Assessing how the information management activities are structured to support programme sections to make timely data-driven decisions. Map the data needs to the available data sources.
2. Compile extensive requirements and design data solutions that facilitate systematic inventorying, storage and retrieval of data at the section level, as well as data harmonization and normalization of duplicate records. In collaboration with sections, understand the reporting needs and the performance indicators as indicated in their respective annual work plans and the Results Assessment Module (RAM).
3. Develop automated tools for the data integration process from multiple data sources across programme sections, guided by the assessment findings. Guided by an ETL process, derive a staging area, a data warehouse and usable data products such as visualizations, maps, and dashboards.
4. Develop a maintenance plan and compile quality data management SOPs and data use checklists, that will be easy to follow and useful in the maintenance and operation of the information management system.
5. Build the capacity of the monitoring specialist, data task team and any relevant members from the programme sections in the usage, support and maintenance of the information management system. Develop training manuals, FAQs, and guides for the data tools. Including best practices for data quality assurance, and organisation.
6. Compile the final project report, detailing the work carried out from the requirements, design, development and testing of the information management tools.

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

Academic qualification:

• At least a masters degree in a relevant field (Data Science, Computer Science, Software/computer engineering, Applied mathematics, Statistics or a related technical field).

  Required work experience:

• At least ten years of demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of management information systems, with solid expertise in data science techniques including ETL and developing dashboard reporting systems

• Experience as a data analyst, business intelligence analyst or similar role
• Experience working with open source tools
• Experience in SQL, MySQL or Postgres SQL
• Experience with NoSQL database management systems

• Experience with Geospatial tools and technologies (ArcGIS, QGIS)

  Technical skills, knowledge and competencies:

• Strong skills in database design and development, including demonstrated knowledge and experience in analysing, MIS and database management systems, and visualisations.

• Working knowledge of any of the Big Data technologies (Hadoop, Spark, Redshift)
• Working knowledge of any of the analytics tools (PowerBi, Tableau, SSRS)
• Working knowledge of structured data documentation/ metadata standards/ specifications such as Dublin Core, SDMX or DDI will be an added advantage
• Strong skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and reporting
• Ability to mentor, coach and provide professional development to others.
• High standards of behaviour and commitment to high professional performance.
• Proficiency in MS Windows and Office applications with an emphasis on database and spreadsheet applications

Languages:

• Fluency in the English language combined with strong oral, presentation and written communication skills is required.

Please refer to the attached full Terms of Reference TOR_Malawi Data Use Consultancy.pdf for more details on the consultancy and requirements.

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 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.

HOW TO APPLY...

Interested consultants should provide the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae including a portfolio of completed relevant projects
2. Brief technical proposal (no longer than two pages) demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the assignment and approach/methodology to the assignment
3. Financial proposal including a breakdown of their all-inclusive fees (including professional fees, travel, living cost, visa and other costs). Financial Proposal for Consultancy.xlsx Complete the attached form.
4. References details

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.