The Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) Programme is UNICEF’s flagship household survey, providing internationally comparable, statistically rigorous data on the situation of children and women. Managed globally by UNICEF’s Data Collection Unit in Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring Division (DAPM), MICS supports more than 100 countries with technical assistance, capacity building, and data quality assurance.

With the growing number of ongoing and planned surveys, and a new funding modality centered on country resources, effective program coordination is critical to ensure the timely implementation of survey activities, efficient use of funds, and consistent coordination across regional and country offices.

MICS is a national government-led activity, with UNICEF providing technical assistance and limited financial support. Given the current dramatic reduction in donor funding and constrained national fiscal space, the consultant will focus on assessing the broader financial sustainability of MICS, including funding from governments, donors, and other partners. The consultant will analyse how MICS is financed across different sources to support strategic planning and resource mobilization.

The consultant will provide analytical support to the MICS global management team in monitoring progress, updating programme information, and ensuring that data on survey implementation and overall resource utilization (national and donor support) are up to date, consistent, and accessible.

Under the supervision of the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist (MICS survey) and in coordination with the entire MICS global team including Regional MICS coordinators, the consultant will

Programme tracking and updates

• Maintain an updated overview of all MICS surveys (planned, ongoing, completed) in a centralized monitoring system or dashboard.
• Collect and verify updates from Regional and Country Offices on implementation progress, timelines, and milestones.
• Support the preparation of management briefs, tables, and visual summaries for internal reviews and reporting.
• Support Financial monitoring of survey implementation (national and donor funds)
• Support the tracking of MICS-related funding, including national and donor budget allocations, expenditures, and fund utilization by country and funding source.
• Support the organization and delivery of specific technical assistance in the area of survey design, data processing and dissemination
• Contribute to financial summaries for management and donor reporting

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1. Dashboard Development and Annual report

- Design and implement a centralized monitoring database to track financial contributions, technical assistance and survey implementation progress across regions.

- 1 system update completed based on the structured data collected from LACRO, WCARO, ESARO, regional offices on MICS survey status (e.g., phase, timeline, funding source, budget gaps)

30 December 2025

- Design and maintain a dynamic dashboard (Excel/Power BI) showing survey timelines, progress, and key milestones.

28 February 2026

- 1 additional system update completed based on the structured data collected from LACRO, WCARO, ESARO, regional offices on MICS survey status (e.g., phase, timeline, funding source, budget gaps).

28 February 2026

2. Management Support

- Prepare a webinar to present the dashboard and status to CP.

- Develop a methodological note to simplify the data update

30 April 2026

- Bi-monthly 2-page management briefs for senior management on MICS implementation status

30 April 2026

- Organization of a session on MICS financing and implementation at the Global MICS Consultation including meeting notes and action point tracker update

30 June 2026

- Organization of 2 methodological workshops (Survey Design and Data Processing) with a presentation on implementation process and financing

- Revision and update of internal SharePoint and KM structure

30 June 2026

 3. Mid-year review 

- Collect and compile survey updates from regional and country offices on survey implementation status and national and donor funding contributions.

- Prepare a mid-year report summarizing technical assistance provided by region (type, frequency), and identify priority countries and support needs for the next 6 month

 30 August 2026

- Track fund utilization across country projects; compile expenditure reports by funding source. (National, donors)

30 August 2026

- Update Global Dashboard structure based on first 6 months implementation

- Prepare a strategy note on global donor engagement and funds mobilization

30 August 2026

4. Support o Reporting

- Monthly data updates to the regional database and dashboard conducted based on the MICS survey implementation status across country projects tracking 

- Compile expenditure reports by funding source (national, donor) 

- Organize a webinar with all participating countries to present dashboard findings and discuss end-of-year adjustments 

20 October 2026

- Draft narrative analysis of financial inputs to be presented at MICS Team Retreat 

- Prepare a draft report and PPT

20 October 2026

- Final report - Summarize progress, lessons learned and propose improvements to tracking and coordination tools

20 November 2026

Qualifications

Education:

• University degree in business administration, project management, economics, social sciences, statistics or a related field.
• Coursework or certification in project monitoring, data management, or financial analysis is an asset.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

- At least 3-year experience in:

• project management, data analysis, monitoring, financial tracking.
• Experience working with Excel, Power BI or other data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with UNICEF operations or other UN systems is an asset.
• Experience in MICS implementation or other similar national household surveys is an asset.

- Fluency in English required. Knowledge of French, Russian, Arabic, and/or Spanish is an asset.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

- Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships with national partners.

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.