NGO JOBS

MICS Sampling ConsultancyTerms of Reference

1. Background:

UNICEF places a high priority on the availability of recent and reliable information with which to monitor the situation of children and women. Statistically sound and internationally comparable data are essential for developing evidence-based policies and programmes, as well as for monitoring countries’ progress toward national goals and global commitments, including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

UNICEF assists countries in collecting and analysing data in order to fill data gaps for monitoring the situation of children and women through its international household survey initiative the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS).

As part of the global effort to increase the availability of high quality data, UNICEF is committed to provide technical assistance to countries to carry out MICS surveys. Currently, the fourth round of MICS surveys (MICS4) is coming to an end. The majority of countries have completed their fieldwork and are working on the analysis and reporting. However, there are also countries that are planning new MICS surveys to take place in early 2013.

Preparations for the 5th round of MICS surveys (MICS5) are also in progress. As one of the largest data collection efforts with the explicit aim to generate data on the MDGs, MICS5 is expected to contribute significantly to the generation of data for the final reporting of MDGs in 2015. In addition to the above, the role that MICS will be playing in tracking progress made through equity focused interventions, and/or in producing data that will be used for situation analyses makes the 5th round of MICS surveys a potentially very critical undertaking.

1. Purpose:

(a) One of the main lessons learned during MICS3 (documented in the independent MICS3 Evaluation) and during the implementation of the current round since the end of 2009 is that special attention needs to be paid to survey sampling related issues, as this is a highly technical field on which countries require a significant amount of assistance. It is essential that sampling guidance to countries is given in a standard manner and of highest quality and that countries receive the training and assistance that they need in order to develop and implement appropriate sampling strategies for the MICS4 and forthcoming MICS5 surveys. Specifically, support is needed in the following sampling-related areas of work:• Sample size and design• Sample selection• Assessment of suitable sample frames• Updating of sample frames• Calculation of sample weights• Calculation of sampling errors

(b) For the provision of good quality support to countries implementing MICS, sampling tools and documents need to be developed and disseminated to implementing agencies.(c) Sampling support needs to be provided both from a distance and during visits to the countries at the critical stages of survey implementation. To this end, UNICEF needs to work with sampling experts who can provide such support at the regional level. Due to the highly technical nature of the work involved, it is essential that experienced experts who will follow specific recommendations of the MICS programme are mobilized.

In order to meet these objectives, UNICEF requires the support of external sampling expertise. The assignments under this contract will be to:1) Review and finalize the following sampling related survey tools for use during MICS5:a. Sample weight calculation templateb. Sample size calculation templatec. Sampling error calculation programmes and related guidelines, d. Sampling related presentations for Survey Design Workshopse. Sampling manual2) Upon request by UNICEF, review, revise, and send feedback about the sampling plans developed by the statistical agencies designing MICS surveys during the contract period, 3) Upon request by UNICEF, review, advise or, if necessary, calculate the sample weights for countries after the data collection is completed before they proceed with the data analyses, 4) Upon request by UNICEF, visit MICS implementing countries to discuss the sampling plans and sampling weights5) Upon request by UNICEF, review the relevant chapters of the MICS country reports. 6) Facilitate sampling workshop for regional sampling experts

With the exception of visits to MICS implementing countries and UNICEF HQ, work can be done from a remote location. Duty station does not need to be New York Headquarters.

1. Expected results: (measurable results)• Templates, guidelines, programmes, presentations and manual as indicated in (1) above• Reports on reviews of sampling plans, sample weight calculations and sampling chapters in MICS country reports• Facilitation of sampling workshop attended by 10 or more regional sampling experts

2. Duration:

Start date: 29 October 2012 End date: 28 December 2012

Total number of working days: 56 days-

1. Travel:

2 trips are envisaged to visit MICS implementing countries to discuss sampling plans and sample weights. The specific countries that will need in-country support in these areas will be determined during the course of the contract. (Tentatively these countries are Montenegro and Oman)Additionally, a 2-day trip to UNICEF HQ, New York will be made to discuss the development, review and revision of sampling related survey tools, and for planning the Sampling Workshop:

Finally, the consultant will travel to a location to be decided by UNICEF to facilitate the sampling workshop. At present, the plan is to organize this workshop in Dakar:

1. Activities, resources, deadlines

• Review and finalization of a. Sample weight calculation templateb. Sample size calculation templatec. Sampling error calculation programmes and related guidelines, d. Sampling related presentations for Survey Design Workshopse. Sampling manualDeliverables: Reviewed and finalized tools, as indicated aboveNumber of working days: 10 daysDeadline: 16 November 2012

• Review, revise, and send feedback about the sampling plans developed by the statistical agencies designing MICS surveys during the contract periodDeliverables: Report with feedback and suggestions for each country Number of working days: 8 days for 4 country sampling plan reviewsDeadline: All the reviews will be submitted before or by 28 December 2012• Review, advise or, if necessary, calculate the sample weights for countries after the data collection is completed before they proceed with the data analyses, Deliverables: Review ReportsNumber of working days: 12 days for 6 countries/surveysDeadline: All the reviews will be submitted before or by 28 December 2012

• Visit MICS implementing countries to discuss the sampling plans and sampling weightsDeliverables: Review ReportsNumber of working days: 10 days for 2 countriesDeadline: The visits will be done upon request, as need arises (but no later than 28 December 2012)

• Review the relevant chapters of the MICS country reports. Deliverables: Review sampling related chapters of the MICS Country ReportsNumber of working days: 8 days for 4 country/survey reportsDeadline: All the reviews will be submitted before or by 28 December 2012

• Facilitate sampling workshop for regional sampling expertsDeliverables: Workshop facilitation in December 2012Number of working days: 8 days (3 days for preparation and follow up, 5 days for the workshop)Deadline: 28 December 2012

1. Key skills, technical background, and experience required:

• At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Survey Sampling or Statistics with special expertise in survey sampling• At least 15 years experience in designing samples for household surveys (experience in countries without recent census information highly desirable) around the globe• Must have expertise with the sampling methodology of MICS• Demonstrated training experience• Experience of working in developing countries• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills• Fluency in English and at least one of the following languages: Spanish, French• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment

For additional information regarding MICS4, please visit http://www.childinfo.org/mics4.html.

The following conditions of service apply to all individual consultants:

1. LEGAL STATUSIndividuals engaged under a consultant contract serve in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other authority external to the United Nations. They are neither “staff members” under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor “officials” for the purpose of the Convention of 13 February 1946 on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. Consultants may, however, be given the status of “experts on mission” in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention. If they are required to travel on behalf of the United Nations, they may be given a United Nations certification in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.

2. OBLIGATIONSConsultants shall have the duty to respect the impartiality and independence of the United Nations and shall neither seek nor accept instructions regarding the services to be performed for UNICEF from any Government or from any authority external to the United Nations. During their period of service for UNICEF, consultants shall refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the United Nations or UNICEF and shall not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the discharge of their duties with the Organization. Consultants are required to exercise the utmost discretion in all matters of official business of the Organization. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, consultants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service. Consultants are to comply with the UNICEF Standards of Electronic Conduct and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General’s Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, both of which are incorporated by reference into the contract between the consultants and UNICEF. Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, consultants shall not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other authority external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to them by reason of their association with the United Nations. The consultant may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF. Nor shall the consultant use such information for private advantage. These obligations do not lapse upon cessation of service with UNICEF.

3. TITLE RIGHTSUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material which bears a direct relation to, or is made in consequence of, the services provided to the Organization by the consultant. At the request of UNICEF, the consultant shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to the Organization in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law.

4. TRAVELIf consultants are required by UNICEF to travel beyond commuting distance from their usual place of residence, such travel at the expense of UNICEF shall be governed by conditions equivalent to the relevant provisions of the 100 series of the United Nations Staff Rules (Chapter VII) and relevant UNICEF policies and procedures. Travel by air by the most direct and economical route is the normal mode for travel at the expense of UNICEF. Such travel will be by business class if the journey is nine hours or longer and by economy class if the journey is less than nine hours, and first class by rail.

5. MEDICAL CLEARANCEConsultants expected to work in any office of the Organization shall be required to submit a statement of good health prior to commencement of work and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that they have been fully informed regarding inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized.

6. INSURANCEConsultants are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services on behalf of UNICEF as they consider appropriate. Consultants are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members. The responsibility of the United Nations and UNICEF is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

7. SERVICE INCURRED DEATH, INJURY OR ILLNESSConsultants who are authorized to travel at UNICEF’s expense or who are required under the contract to perform their services in a United Nations or UNICEF office, or their dependents as appropriate, shall be entitled in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the performance of services on behalf of UNICEF while in travel status or while working in an office of the Organization on official UNICEF business to compensation equivalent to the compensation which, under Appendix D to the United Nations Staff Rules (ST/SGB/Staff Rules/Appendix D/Rev.1 and Amend.1), would be payable to a staff member at step V of the First Officer (P-4) level of the Professional category.

8. ARBITRATIONAny dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall, if attempts at settlement by negotiation have failed, be submitted to arbitration in New York by a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties. Should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, then each party shall proceed to appoint one arbitrator and the two arbitrators thus appointed shall agree on a third. Failing such agreement, either party may request the appointment of the third arbitrator by the President of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

9. TERMINATION OF CONTRACTThis contract may be terminated by either party before the expiry date of the contract by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five days in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two months and fourteen days in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of misconduct by the consultant, UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice.In the event of the contract being terminated prior to its due expiry date in this way, the consultant shall be compensated on a pro rata basis for no more than the actual amount of work performed to the satisfaction of UNICEF. Additional costs incurred by the United Nations resulting from the termination of the contract by the consultant may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the consultant from UNICEF.

10. TAXATIONThe United Nations and UNICEF undertake no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract. No statement of earnings will be issued by the United Nations or UNICEF to the consultant.