Country: Georgia
Closing date: 09 Aug 2017
Background
The Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) is an international household survey programme developed and supported by UNICEF. MICS is designed to collect estimates of key indicators that are used to assess the situation of children and women. Over the past 20 years, MICS has evolved to respond to changing data needs, expanding from 28 indicators in the first round to more than 200 indicators in the current sixth round, and becoming a key source of data on child protection, early childhood education, and a major source of data on child health and nutrition. In addition to being a data collection tool to generate data for monitoring the progress towards national goals and global commitments for promoting the welfare of children, MICS provided valuable data for MDG monitoring as a major source of data for the UN Secretary General’s Final Millennium Development Goals Report.
Since the inception of MICS in the 1990s, over 300 surveys have been carried out in more than 100 countries. As part of the global effort to further develop national capacities to generate and analyse high quality and disaggregated data, UNICEF launched the sixth round of MICS in October 2016, with results of first surveys expected to be available by the end of 2017. This new round is in accordance with the list of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission in 2016, following the global adoption of the 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The final SDG indicator framework currently includes 230 global indicators, of which around 30 per cent are household survey-based. Today, MICS, covering almost half of the SDG indicators that are household survey-based, is well positioned to play a central role in this new Agenda alongside other key demographic, health and socio-economic surveys and to complement data from administrative sources and censuses. The MICS questionnaires have undergone rigorous methodological and validation work to broaden the scope of the tools and include new topics that reflect SDG indicators and emerging issues in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development context, including: rapid water quality testing, social transfers, foundational learning skills (children age 7-14), child and adult functioning, migration status, use of clean fuels and technology, and victimisation.
The UNICEF Georgia has already supported MICS survey in 2005 and in 2018 it will support the 6th round of MICS to be conducted in the country. To ensure that the implementation of the MICS survey runs smoothly, specific deadlines are met and that the implementing partner, the National Statistics Office of Georgia (GeoStat) receives the technical assistance necessary to produce statistically sound and reliable data, the UNICEF Georgia will hire a full-time consultant to oversee the MICS process from preparatory work to release of results.
It is planned the 2018 Georgia MICS6 to be implemented using CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) in which the interviewer uses a tablet to record data. CAPI data collection can reduce the time needed to collect and process survey data, facilitate real time monitoring, improve the quality of the data and reduce survey costs.
Purpose of the Job
Under the overall supervision of Social and Economic Policy Specialist as well as Statistics and Monitoring Officer of the UNICEF Georgia, the National MICS Consultant (NMC) will support and provide guidance to UNICEF Georgia and the GeoStat for the preparation, implementation and completion of the MICS survey in the country. The NMC will advise the GeoStat, especially the Survey Coordinator and sampling and data processing experts, during survey planning, questionnaire design, sampling, training, fieldwork, data processing, data analysis, dissemination and archiving, ensuring that MICS protocols and recommendations are being followed at all times. The NMC will communicate effectively between the UNICEF Georgia and GeoStat, responding promptly to MICS related needs and issues as they arise.
The NMC will be responsible for coordinating and supporting the work of other resource persons hired by UNICEF to provide technical assistance to the MICS process. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the survey team, the stakeholders, and Steering and Technical Committees and will represent UNICEF in meetings and workshops in relation to the survey as needed. The NMC will also work in close collaboration with the regional MICS Coordinator and the Global MICS Team in UNICEF HQ.
Main Tasks Related to the Job
Undertake other tasks related to MICS as required and/or instructed by UNICEF Georgia.
Specific Activities
In consultation and collaboration with the UNICEF Georgia and GeoStat, the NMC together with MICS International Consultant[1] will be responsible for ensuring the following activities have been undertaken following the MICS guidelines and will contribute to the coordination of these activities:
1. Survey Planning:
Sample design:
MICS questionnaires:
Manuals:
CAPI application template:
2. Listing and Mapping, Training and Fieldwork, and Data Processing:
3. Data Analysis and Report Writing:
4. Attend to all MICS Regional and/or National Workshops
Deliverables
Presentations and training materials used in trainings, workshops, and other meetings.
Reporting Line
The NMC will report directly to the Social and Economic Policy Specialist as well as Statistics and Monitoring Officer in the UNICEF Georgia.
Confidentiality of Data and MICS Documents
The NMC must respect the complete confidentiality of the MICS data as well as any specific MICS documents that will be produced throughout the MICS process. The NMC can use the documents and the datasets only for the tasks related to these Terms of Reference.
Qualifications and Competencies
Education:
University degree in Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, Social Sciences (with quantitative focus) or other related field is required.
Skills and Experience:
Experience in data analysis and survey report writing.
Other competencies:
Ability and willingness to travel extensively in-country and to attend regional workshops.
Office Arrangements and Travel Requirements
During the contract period, the NMC is expected to travel within the country and to MICS Regional Workshops in other countries and UNICEF Regional Office (as required). The travel expenses will be covered by the UNICEF Georgia. The NMC will be based in GeoStat which will provide her/him space, adequate working conditions with internet access and equipment as necessary.
Estimated Duration of Contract and Fees
The NMC should get on board at the start of MICS planning in summer 2017 and should remain on board until the Survey Findings Report (and Final Report) and the survey archive are produced.
The duration of consultancy should cover a minimum 18 months, depending on the time it will take to finalise the whole MICS process. Only candidates that can commit for this whole duration will be considered.
The consultant isto indicate her/his gross monthly fee (GEL) for the services to be provided. Sick leave, off-hours, medical insurances, taxes will not be paid by the UNICEF Georgia.
UNICEF Georgia reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete or not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.
[1] MICS International Consultant will provide technical support and guidance on different aspects of MICS.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=506172