For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
UNICEF Regional Office for Sounth Asia is seeking a consultant to work as a MICS Regional Data Processing Consultant for total of 150 days starting from May 2013 to March 2014.
Goal/Objective of the consultancy
To strengthen capacity of national partners implementing MICS to assure timely and high quality MICS data and to monitor that survey methodology and reporting of results follow international protocols for MDG monitoring .
Activities and Tasks/Work Relationship
To support the regional office in the delivery of MICS data processing technical assistance to the following countries: Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
Specific activities will include:
i). To technically review from a distance the adapted data entry programs (CSPro) of each MICS participating country in ensuring that data entry programs follows MICS guidelines and in agreement with the adapted questionnaires for the national survey;
ii). To technically review from a distance the adapted data processing programs (SPSS) of each MICS country in ensuring that tabulation programs follows MICS guidelines and the output tables are in agreement with the adapted questionnaires for the national survey;
iii). To compile reports with technical comments and recommendations highlighting proposed changes, if any, to the data entry and data analysis programs. Comments will be shared by UNICEF with the implementing partner;
iv). Provide in-country capacity development support in order to assist the national implementing MICS partner in adapting the data entry and analysis programs (including providing technical support to data cleaning, recoding, analysis and tabulation of country-specific modules and/or questions);
v). If necessary, facilitate the data entry and analysis training sessions during the MICS regional workshop (Data Processing) and discuss and advise countries attending the workshop on their data entry and data analysis approach.
vi). Conduct regular briefings and updates with the Regional MICS Coordinator in ROSA
ii). To technically review from a distance the adapted data processing programs (SPSS) of each MICS country in ensuring that tabulation programs follows MICS guidelines and the output tables are in agreement with the adapted questionnaires for the national survey;
iii). To compile reports with technical comments and recommendations highlighting proposed changes, if any, to the data entry and data analysis programs. Comments will be shared by UNICEF with the implementing partner;
iv). Provide in-country capacity development support in order to assist the national implementing MICS partner in adapting the data entry and analysis programs (including providing technical support to data cleaning, recoding, analysis and tabulation of country-specific modules and/or questions);
v). If necessary, facilitate the data entry and analysis training sessions during the MICS regional workshop (Data Processing) and discuss and advise countries attending the workshop on their data entry and data analysis approach.
vi). Conduct regular briefings and updates with the Regional MICS Coordinator in ROSA
During the country office visits, the activities should include:
• Presentations and training on MICS data entry and analysis approach to UNICEF MICS focal points and the data processing experts/manager from the implementing partner;
• Review of necessary documents and equipment to support the data processing activities;
• Support and ensure the use of ‘Supervisor’s menu’ during data entry
• Support data editing and ensure the use of double data entry and generation of field check tables
• Support the use of PDA/tablets for data collection if being used by the implementing partner
• In collaboration with the implementing partner, put together the final datasets and as well as country specific tables;
• Review of necessary documents and equipment to support the data processing activities;
• Support and ensure the use of ‘Supervisor’s menu’ during data entry
• Support data editing and ensure the use of double data entry and generation of field check tables
• Support the use of PDA/tablets for data collection if being used by the implementing partner
• In collaboration with the implementing partner, put together the final datasets and as well as country specific tables;
Further activities in support to selected countries may include:
• Supporting the PDA/tablet pre-test (when relevant)
• Participate in the setting up the data entry room;
• Establishing a backup system;
• Generating field check tables;
• Adding weights to datasets;
• Creating wealth index;
• Finalisation of datasets;
• Supporting the training of data entry clerks.
• Supporting the PDA/tablet pre-test (when relevant)
• Participate in the setting up the data entry room;
• Establishing a backup system;
• Generating field check tables;
• Adding weights to datasets;
• Creating wealth index;
• Finalisation of datasets;
• Supporting the training of data entry clerks.
vii). Review the data processing related parts of the final survey report. Provide technical comments and recommendations highlighting proposed changes, if any to the relevant chapters. Comments will be shared by UNICEF with the implementing partner.
viii). Respond to other ad-hoc data processing requests from RO and CO queries from MICS4/MICS5 countries by e-mail (within 5 days of receiving request for support).
Output - Results (Deliverables)
• Technical reports for each MICS survey data entry program (CSPro) and data analysis (SPSS) package reviewed outlining key recommendations and proposed changes and how the data processing approach meet or do not meet MICS technical standards;
• Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country visited;
• If relevant, regional workshop reports;
• Presentations and training materials used in workshops and trainings;
• Report on the final datasets produced in each country;
• E-mail evidence of on-line distance support. • Monthly reports outlining support to countries provided and number of days worked.
• Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country visited;
• If relevant, regional workshop reports;
• Presentations and training materials used in workshops and trainings;
• Report on the final datasets produced in each country;
• E-mail evidence of on-line distance support. • Monthly reports outlining support to countries provided and number of days worked.
Estimated Timeline of Completion
The contract duration is for 11 months from 1st May 2013 – 30th March 2014. It is estimated that 150 days of household survey consultancy will be required during this time period.
Working Conditions
Regional Data Processing Consultant will work from a distance with the exception of country visits and regional office visits and any participation in the MICS regional workshops.
How to apply:
Qualifications
Education
At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Information Technologies, Statistics, Demography, or any other related technical field with special expertise in data management/processing.
Skills and Experience
• At least 8 years of experience in data processing for household surveys;
• Extensive knowledge of CSPro and SPSS software.
• Experience with programming PDAs/Tablets for data collection highly desirable
• Familiarity with the IHSN Microdata Management Toolkit an asset
• Must be familiar with the data processing approach of MICS and/or Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS);
• Demonstrated training experience;
• Experience of working in developing countries particularly in the South Asia Region;
• Fluency in English and other regional language(s) would be an advantage
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability and willingness to travel to all countries mentioned in TOR.
• Extensive knowledge of CSPro and SPSS software.
• Experience with programming PDAs/Tablets for data collection highly desirable
• Familiarity with the IHSN Microdata Management Toolkit an asset
• Must be familiar with the data processing approach of MICS and/or Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS);
• Demonstrated training experience;
• Experience of working in developing countries particularly in the South Asia Region;
• Fluency in English and other regional language(s) would be an advantage
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability and willingness to travel to all countries mentioned in TOR.
Other competencies
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;
• Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability.
• Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability.
Applications: Qualified and Interested candidates are requested to send their applications indicating proposed remuneration in USD along with UN personal history form (p-11) which can be retrieved athttp://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html by no later than Friday, 10th May 2013 tosracharya@unicef.org
