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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, Education. 

All aspects of education data - its collection, analysis and use - have been raised by multiple countries in the Pacific region at the highest level. At their meeting in New Zealand in March 2023, the Council of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) identified the need and accessibility for quality data to support regional and national initiatives. Likewise, the Pacific Heads of Education Systems (PHES), the senior education officials of the region, called for support for management information systems that would empower local educators, policymakers, and communities, enabling them to make informed decisions to unlock the full potential of their education systems.

Like many nations, Pacific countries value timely, high-quality data for planning and decision-making and recognise the importance of the availability, timeliness and quality of the education statistics they use for their planning. However, many Pacific countries face challenges in collecting and producing good quality, timely education statistics. These challenges include: (i) little coordination in the collection of education data across the sector; (ii) delays in data collection due to increased data requirements; (iii) long periods spent on data entry; (iv) inadequate statistical processes to ensure data quality; (v) low level of technical capacity to produce and disseminate statistics; and (vi) no policy on timeframes for producing and disseminating regular statistics.

Kiribati have spent some time reviewing their EMIS system and identifying structural and capacity gaps that are limiting the extent to which the current EMIS provides the best possible information to the Ministry and other stakeholders to support decision-making in the sector. DFAT within the EduKAIT programme have made a commitment to invest in responding to these findings. However, there are still both immediate data and staff training needs that need to be met in order for this intended work to be successful. As part of strengthening the overall capacity of the system, Kiribati wish to address these specific areas prior to and transitioning into the DFAT supported work. This early work includes data management and reporting templates, systems development (in partnership with EduKAIT) and staff capacity development.

Tuvalu, although working on a much smaller scale, also encounters challenges in data collection across multiple and often remote sites, data analysis and reporting. The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) do have capacity to undertake the work but the lack of a cohesive policy on EMIS and data that provides clear direction, accountabilities and expected outputs at each part of the data cycle is creating a bottleneck to timeliness of data reporting. New national work on IT and partner contribution to EMIS technical systems will also need to be considered, as well as synergies with other relevant data (e.g. MICS).

How can you make a difference? 

Both Kiribati and Tuvalu have requested support from UNICEF to strengthen data governance and processes to increase optimal efficiency of use of the EMIS data. The specific scope of work for each country is outlined below but both require consideration of the operational areas of collection tools, cleaning analysis and reporting as well as more strategic areas of ensuring data quality and overall data policy. The sharing of skills and creating capacity development opportunities is expected in the approach to this work. It is also expected that the work will draw on existing education data systems, tools and capacities in both countries and at Pacific regional level.

Each country has a specific emphasis as outlined below, with the overall objective of this consultancy to strengthen data systems in order to support evidenced-based decisions in education and accountability and transparency with stakeholders.

For Kiribati:

Data Management

• Assist with ASC transitional form PDF to Excel
• Assist and validation of ECCE data to be included in KEMIS
• Validation of key data required for Regional and International reporting

Capacity Development

• Train and build capacity of new Officers/Staff in Analytical skills and reporting to guide evidence based decisions
• Enhance and support the HODs in understanding KPIs and the DDDM

System Development

• Support KEMIS upgrading in terms of system and infrastructures (with EduKAIT)
• Assist in development and production of Education Key Indicators and Education Digest template aligned with data linkages to KEMIS
• Support SIM at the school level for School Leaders to manage their data and update in their reporting via the ASC form.

Data Reporting

• Production of Annual Education Report based on the HODs MEL reporting for the Hon Minister's information on the Ed performance
• Support the DPPRD with reporting against KDP, KV20 and SDG etc.

For Tuvalu:

The drafting, validation and finalization of a fully consulted Data and EMIS policy to support the data collection through reporting cycle and strengthen the use of data in decision making.

Please refer to the ToR ( TOR KIRTUV Stats EMIS.pdf) for further information on the deliverables and the timelines. 

GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS:  

Please submit a separate financial offer along with your application. The financial proposal should be a lump sum amount for all the deliverables and should show a break down for the following:

• Monthly / Daily fees– based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference above.
• Travel (economy air ticket where applicable to take up assignment and field mission travel
• Living allowance where travel is required.
• Miscellaneous- to cover visa, health insurance (including medical evacuation for international consultants), communications, and other costs.

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

Master’s degree in education or statistics or other relevant field with at least 7 years of relevant experience is preferred although other relevant qualifications with specific education data experience in the Pacific would be considered. Experience must include:

• The use of advanced skills in a statistical package (STATA, SPSS or R) as well as in MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Outlook
• Expertise in analyzing education data, particularly from Education Management Information System and collation of reports and data representations suitable for different audiences (including infographics)
• The development and finalisation of DQAF reports (or similar) and /or policy development, preferably with prior experience in a Pacific context
• Working with national counterparts and facilitating consultations in a manner to ensure local ownership.
• Strong writing synthesis and analytical skills and report writing experience.
• The development and use of training tools – both in face to face and remote modalities
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Strong writing and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience in working with UNICEF, other UN agency or regional organization preferred.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.