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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

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Consultancy Title: Household survey consultant for Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Analysis, Planning & Monitor, Programme Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 15 March 2025 to 15 June 2026

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

About UNICEF

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 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 is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment: 

MICS enables countries to produce statistically sound and internationally comparable estimates of a range of indicators on the situation of children and women, in areas such as health, education, early childhood development, child protection, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene.  For many countries, MICS surveys are among the most important sources of data used for situation analyses, policy decisions, programme interventions, and for informing the public about the situation of children and women. 

Currently, the MICS programme is in its 7th round, while completing the last few surveys from the 6th round. The 7th round of MICS supports, in addition to the face-to-face MICS household surveys, MICS Plus, MICS Link, MICS GIS and MICS Tabulator development.

The Data Collection Unit is currently working on the development of a new survey module to measure foundational learning (FL) skills in reading and math in early and late primary. It is also supporting the scaling up of a new module to link MICS data and Education Management Information Systems (EMIS). National survey teams require technical support to field test the new FL module. An increasing number of countries are joining the 7th round of MICS and require specialized support to roll out the new FL module as well as technical assistance to operationalize the MICS Link to EMIS. This work includes development of implementation tools related to and guidance during survey planning, questionnaire customization, pre-test of questionnaires, customization of tabulation plans, fieldworkers training, fieldwork monitoring, data analysis and report drafting.

Scope of Work:

This assignment will contribute to the following outcomes: (1) Support the field testing and roll out in MICS of the new Foundational Learning Module (FLM2.0) for reporting on SDG 4.1.1a (early primary) and 4.1.1b (late primary); (2) Provide specialized assistance to countries in the design and operationalization of MICS Link to EMIS; and (3) Support the design and implementation of MICS surveys.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. Support the field testing and roll out in MICS of the new Foundational Learning Module (FLM2.0) for reporting on SDG 4.1.1a (early primary) and 4.1.1b (late primary). Total number of expected field tests: 4        

1. A set of documents on completed trainings, fieldwork monitoring activities, and interviewer debriefings for each field test.
2. A set of finalized tools for each completed field test including: interviewers’ manuals, student booklets, and questionnaires with adaptations resulting from field testing.
3. A set of final standard tools required to support the rollout of the new FLM2.0 in MICS, including: customization guidelines, tabulation plan, field check tables, survey findings report narrative, and training materials for UNICEF regional teams and Training of Trainers (ToTs).
4. A report on specialized assistance to countries in the implementation of the new module including documentation on completed training and quality assurance, customization and implementation for each survey supported, including revised customized tools, and tools developed to support the implementation (15 May 2025, 31 Aug 2025, 31 Dec 2025, 31 Mar 2026, 15 Jun 2026)

2. Provide specialized assistance to countries in the design and operationalization of MICS Link to EMIS. Total number of expected surveys 4-5:

5. A set of documents on completed training and quality assurance of the customization and operationalization of the MICS Link to EMIS module for each survey supported, including finalized questions, customized feasibility assessment, field check tables, tabulation plan, and survey findings report narrative describing the customization process.
6. Compilation of lessons learned and recommendations for continuous refinement and strengthening of feasibility assessment, guidance and implementation tools (15 Sep 2025, 15 Dec 2025, 15 Mar 2026, 15 Jun 2026)

3. Support the design and implementation of MICS in two countries in ESAR

7. A set of documents on survey design, implementation and support to MICS, specifically, finalised Survey Plan and Budget, Sampling Plan, Questionnaires, Training agenda and related materials, Tabulation Plan, and draft Survey Final Report and Snapshots for each survey supported (31 Jul 2025, 31 Nov 2025, 15 Mar 2026)

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Epidemiology, or other related technical field with significant components on statistics, quantitative/qualitative research or survey methods is required.

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• At least 8 years of working experience in implementation of household surveys at national level -prior national MICS coordination experience required.
• Experience in customization of household survey instruments and protocols to the local context, including cultural adaptation of questionnaires and ethical protocols.
• Experience in techniques and protocols to pilot and field test household survey instruments.
• Experience supporting national survey teams in the customization, training and implementation of survey modules related to the measurement of foundational learning skills, integration of MICS and EMIS data.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners;
• Strong writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrable expertise in data entry application design using CSPro.
• Demonstrable expertise in data analysis with a strong command of statistical software, particularly Excel, SPSS or Stata. R, Python and GitHub experience is a significant asset, specially developing and maintaining reproducible codes. The candidate must be adept at utilizing these tools for complex data manipulation, analysis, and visualization to support decision-making processes.
• Native or near-native proficiency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset. Knowledge of native African languages is an asset.

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

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

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.