United States of America: MICS Household Survey Expert Consultant
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 23 Aug 2013
A Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)
Terms of Reference
HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONSULTANTS
Background
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. Since 1995, UNICEF has supported the implementation of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), assisting countries in generating high quality data on the situation of children and women. Over the last 17 years and four rounds of MICS, 240 MICS surveys have been conducted in more than 100 countries.
MICS enables countries to produce statistically sound and internationally comparable estimates of a range of indicators in the areas of health, education, child protection, water and sanitation and HIV and AIDS. For many countries, MICS surveys are among the most important sources of data used for situation analyses, policy decisions and programme interventions, and for influencing the public opinion on the situation of children and women.
During 2013-2015, UNICEF is supporting the fifth round of MICS surveys. MICS is generating information for over 20 MDG indicators and will be, along with other nationally representative household surveys, critically important for final MDG reporting. Given the time constraints to produce first survey results by April-May 2014, fieldwork (data collection) for MICS surveys that will be conducted mainly for the producing data for the final MDG assessment should be completed by the end of 2013 or during the first quarter of 2014.
MICS surveys are usually carried out by government organizations, with the support and technical assistance of UNICEF. When countries adhere to the MICS protocols and recommendations, and make use of the tools provided, the survey process goes very smoothly. However, in many countries, the provision of survey tools alone has not been sufficient without the additional support of personnel providing technical assistance.
As part of the MICS5 programme, UNICEF will continue strengthening its MICS support mechanism at all levels, so that countries can receive the required level of technical assistance at critical survey stages and are in a better position to support the implementing partner.
The number of countries planning to conduct MICS in 2013-2014 is expected to be around 40, but may increase further as countries finalize their MDG reporting plans or decide to conduct MICS for monitoring of national development plans. UNICEF HQ will, therefore, hire experienced household survey consultants to provide added expertise in facilitating Survey Design and Data Dissemination & Further Analysis Workshops, conduct methodological and data quality analysis, produce or review global MICS tools, and advise countries on draft survey plans (implementation, logistics, tools, data quality measures, training, reporting, etc.) as well as provide feedback on actual data (field check tables, standard tabulations, etc.).
Purpose
Under the overall supervision of the Statistics Specialists of the MICS Team, the Household Survey Consultants have the responsibility for supporting the on-going methodological work on MICS, facilitation of a MICS Survey Design Workshop, and to provide coordinated feedback on a number of country survey plans and findings.
Main Tasks
- Provide reviews or production of multi or single country data quality assessments;
- Draft scientific papers and input to other methodological work relating to MICS;
- Provide support to one MICS Survey Design Workshop: facilitate selected sessions and work bilaterally with different countries on questionnaires, survey plans and budgets;
- Provide support to content and facilitation of (3) MICS Data Dissemination and Further Analysis workshops;
- Production and/or review of global MICS tools and guidelines;
- From a distance and in coordination and collaboration with the Global MICS Team, review and provide feedback on the following country survey documents, in order to ensure that they comply with MICS standards; a. Survey plans (including budget and training plans) b. Questionnaires and Manualsc. Tabulationsd. Summary Findings and Final Survey Reports.
Qualifications and Competencies
Education
At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, or other related technical field with significant measurement or analysis component is required.
Skills, Experience, and competencies
? At least 8 years’ working experience of which 5 years should be related to the coordination and/or management of quantitative household surveys. Prior MICS/DHS coordination experience highly desirable;? Expertise in statistical analyses (familiarity with data processing and data analysis software, SPSS highly desirable);? Fluency in English. Intermediate skills in French, Russian, and/or Spanish is an advantage;? Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;? Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;
Deliverables
- Report on findings of data quality assessments and/or methodological work, including recommendations;
- Draft scientific paper(s) for submission to peer reviewed journal (topics to be decided);
- Workshop trip reports;
- Report for each survey design reviewed outlining key recommendations and proposed changes and how the survey plans meet or do not meet MICS technical standards;
- Feedback on draft questionnaires and manuals, tabulations, and reports using the appropriate review forms;
- Draft presentations and training materials for use in Data Dissemination and Further Analysis Workshops;
- Presentations and training materials used in workshops;
- Four consultancy reports (15 November 2013, 31 January, 31 March, and 30 June 2014) detailing number of days/hours spent on assignments. These reports and satisfactory submission of deliverables serve as triggers for payment of fees.
Estimated Duration of the Contract
Three consultants are sought depending on skill sets of incumbents for a total of 204 days. The activities will be distributed based on expertise, languages, and immediate availability for urgent work:September 15, 2013, to June 30, 2014:• Survey Design Workshop: 8 days plus 2 days travel and preparation per consultant (2): 20 days• Data Dissemination and Further Analysis workshopo 3 workshops: 7 days plus 2 days travel and preparation per person (2): 54 dayso Preparation of content: 10 days• Data quality assessments, methodological work: 30 days• Production of scientific papers: 30 days• Production and/or review of global survey tools: 20 days• Review and feedback on survey plans, tools, tabulations, reports, etc.: 40 days
Total number of days: 204
Official Travel Involved
The consultants will be expected to travel to:- Facilitate at a MICS Survey Design Workshop (tentative location Istanbul, Turkey).- Facilitate at 3 MICS Data Dissemination and Further Analysis Workshops (tentative locations Kathmandu, Nepal, Dakar, Senegal, and Panama, Panama).- Participate in Global MICS Consultation (5 days, tentative location Bangkok, Thailand).- Attend meetings in UNICEF New York if required in relation to production of analysis (if required, 1 visit of 5 days)
Estimated Cost of the Consultancy
Consultancy daily fee: ? Level P4+? Total of 204 working days? Travel: Estimated 11 trips
Payment Schedule
Tied to satisfactory submission of deliverables, payments will be based on submission of four consultancy reports detailing number of days/hours spent on assignments. The reports are due 15 November 2013, 31 January, 31 March, and 30 June 2014.
Type of Supervision Required and Cooperation with Other Consultants
The Statistics Specialists (Household Surveys) will provide quality assurance and oversight for the consultants’ work with substantial feedback on the quality of the work.
For each assignment, the consultants will work in close collaboration with the staff of the MICS Team at UNICEF HQ, Regional MICS Coordinators, UNICEF Country Office MICS Focal Points, as well as other MICS Consultants.
Confidentiality of Data and MICS Documents
The Household Survey Consultant must respect the confidentiality of the MICS data as well as any country specific MICS documents that will be produced throughout the MICS process. The Household Survey Consultant can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.
Consultant’s Work Place
The Household Survey Consultant will work from home using own equipment and stationary.
Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered. Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants/Individual Contractors
Legal StatusThe individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.
ObligationsThe Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.
The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.
Title rightsUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.
TravelIf UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.Statement of good healthBefore commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.
InsuranceThe Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.
Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).
Arbitration(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.Penalties for UnderperformancePayment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.
Termination of ContractThis contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.
TaxationUNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.
How to apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a daily rate, cover letter, a CV, and P11 form. The P11 form is available here: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html)
Please submit to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “MICS Household Survey Consultants” by 23 August 2013. Please indicate your ability and availability to undertake the terms of reference above.
