U-Report Consultant: Data Analyst and Project Management of “Fundoo”, Kampala, Uganda, 11.5 months

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, a fair chance

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework. Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/

How can you make a difference?

Background

UNICEF Uganda seeks a consultant to support analysis of data collected through U-Report and compile it into clear, concise reports for use by UNICEF staff, government and NGO partners and also to support the local scale up of FunDoo, a chat-based skills-building platform. Originally developed in partnership with UNICEF India and Yuwaah, FunDoo is a WhatsApp-based interactive platform delivered via U-Report social messaging service to help youth build 21st century skills and get career-ready. Through bite-sized, vernacular content, helping youngsters do small activities and build life skills. FunDoo India has reached 700,000 adolescent and young people with 21st Century Skills content.

The FunDoo curriculum is based on UNICEF's 21st Century Skills framework. Our pedagogy derives from the principles of Experiential learning which we implement through the concept of ‘tasks.’ FunDoo is organized as a modular library of tasks that learners can choose from and is not sequential. Each task is designed to focus on one primary skill (as outlined in the framework), besides positively impacting a host of secondary skills.

UNICEF Uganda is creating multiple pathways for skilling adolescents both online and offline. The current situation requires even more resilience of adolescents that can be created through life skills trainings. Fundoo is a very relevant and needed pathway for skilling urban and semi-urban adolescents that will help to expand current skilling programme by adding another pathway that has been already tested and used by UNICEF in another country. As the need of adolescents of Uganda for skilling is growing, innovative skills programming is necessary to support their empowerment and transition to adulthood and work life.

Justification

The demand of the use of U-Report has greatly increased in the past year. Currently, U-Report is being used by all programme sections and operations teams. In addition to the internal use, U-Report is being used by more partners including CSO’s, Government partners and other UN Agencies. It is also being increasingly used to support campaigns and engagements at regional and global level. Not only this, U-Report Uganda has adopted new innovative tools and systems to meet programme needs and meaningfully engage our target audience, the adolescents and young people.

As more people join U-Report through SMS and digital channels, it is increasingly important that UNICEF utilizes data collected through the U-Report platform to make sure U-Report offers users a valuable opportunity to participate digitally. This role will support analysis of data, its visualization and presentation. He/she will produce regular analytical reports of that month’s online engagement, key findings and ensure that the information collected via U-report is available to the program sections to guide their programming.

The role will support the design, delivery, and scale of Fundoo in Uganda. The successful candidate will work closely with the Uganda country office (including project team members) the global Office of Innovations and local partners to scale FunDoo and ensure timely and quality delivery of all components of the project.

Objective

1. An enhanced understanding of U-Report data and analytics, which can inform strategic decisions for the development and growth of the platform.
2. 20,000 Ugandans adolescents aged 13+ participate in Fundoo tasks during the first year of operation since launch.
3. Contribute towards a UNICEF Uganda Country Office goal of adolescents participating in learning and skills development opportunities (outside of Fundoo) 2022-2026.

Major Tasks

• Conduct analyses of U-Report data from polls, U-Partners dashboard and chatbots to generate narratives that are useful for the programme, partners and the U-Report community.
• Support the continuous updates of relevant indicators for monthly reporting and internal requirements.
• Develop a Fundoo localization, piloting and scale-up strategy for Uganda including but not limited to conducting a FunDoo product review, local research, focus groups/youth consultation and launch plan for Uganda.
• Create gamified FunDoo content: This work will simultaneously be testing and refining and gamifying content for increased user engagement; and creating new/updating existing flows on RapidPro (the open-source messaging software that powers U-Report) (including customization/localization).
• Adapt Fundoo to local needs, implement, test, and launch by the beginning of January 2023; including setting up and coordinating a technical steering committee.
• Create FunDoo task content, both for launch, and incremental addition to the platform post-launch; and setting up of sub-thematic technical groups of respondents. Creation of content will include co-creation with youth via various means, including but not limited to: U-Report polling; face-to-face engagement sessions and other sessions arranged by UNICEF and U-Report partners.
• Create/validate Standard Operating Procedures to be followed by programme teams and partners of Fundoo platform.
• Monitoring, analysis and evaluation of the Fundoo roll-out process.
• Evaluate partner usage of Fundoo and understanding incentives and constraints involved between high-level users and low-level users.
• Assist in the development of Communication products for UNICEF Uganda and Office of Innovations to capture the journey of FunDoo with young people

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

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

• A degree in data science, statistics, software development, IT, Communications or other relevant field.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in data science, statistics, or software development, IT or Communications
• Skills data analysis and statistical methods; Creating data visualizations; Creating dashboards and reports; Writing and communication of quantitative results; Understanding of data privacy considerations for human-generated data and machine learning applications
• Previous working experience with U-Report or other digital and mobile messaging platforms is an asset.
• Strong project management skills with a proven ability to conceptualize, plan and execute ideas as well as to transfer knowledge and skills;
• Ability to work with, gather feedback from and co-create solutions with youth.
• Concrete experience of fostering open dialogue, building trust and engaging key stakeholders
• Experience working with youth-based organizations, non-government organizations, the education sector, UNICEF or the United Nations is an asset.
• Awareness of issues facing youth in Uganda concerning education/training and employment.
• Able to work independently, has sound judgment and strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a local language is an asset
• Analysis and optimization of Social Media Ad campaigns

Languages:

Fluency in English is required. Please note that working knowledge of English is required for all assignments.

Conditions:

• The consultancy will only commence when the contract has been signed.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities nor authority on UNICEF budget and other resources.
• Consultants will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractors prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, if applicable.
• The Form 'Designation, change or revocation of beneficiary' must be completed by the consultant upon arrival, at the HR Section.
• No contract may commence unless the consultant provides a certificate of completion of a mandatory course on “Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse”. A certificate to be submitted with the signed contract should have been obtained in the last three months.
• Under the consultancy agreements, a month is defined as 21 working days, and fees are prorated accordingly. Consultants are not paid for weekends or public holidays
• Consultants are not entitled to payment of overtime. All remuneration must be within the contract agreement and are paid according to satisfactory completion of deliverables
• No contract may commence unless the consultant provides a certificate of completion of a mandatory course on “Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse”. A certificate to be submitted with the signed contract should have been obtained in the last three months.
• Clearance from DHR will be required for former UNICEF staff
• Clearance from the Government required for civil servants
• COVID19 Vaccination for this position is mandatory.

How to Apply

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.

Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to submit a letter of interest including a Technical Proposal outlining a road map for review and implementation timeline. In their letter of interest, candidates should highlight their previous work experience relevant to the assignment, the attributes that make them suitable, and their proposed approach to the assignment.

The applicant should also submit a Financial Proposal outlining the total costs for this consultancy with payment linked to the main deliverables outlined above. The financial proposal should indicate an all-inclusive lumpsum fee composed of consultancy fees, travel costs and subsistence/living

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.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.