TERMS OF REFERENCE
Background
In collaboration with other partners, UNICEF plays a critical role in monitoring the situation
of children and women in the world and for reporting on progress toward internationally set
goals such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations General
Assembly Special Session on AIDS (UNGASS), the World Fit for Children (WFFC) goals,
and the UNICEF’s Medium Term Strategic Plan (MTSP). To this end, UNICEF maintains a
series of global databases on key indicators, supports countries to collect necessary data
through the UNICEF-supported Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and conducts
statistical analyses of the data for global reporting purposes.
The global databases are used for reporting on progress toward MDGs, UNGASS, Progress
Reports, MTSP, as well as regular reporting in the statistical tables of The State of the
World’s Children report, UNICEF web-related pages, sector-specific and special reports, peer
review journal articles and responding to internal and external ad hoc requests for data.
The databases on nutrition-related indicators feed data into the above mentioned processes
and reports. UNICEF maintains high standards regarding the quality of data included in their
global statistical databases. The data undergo a rigorous review process and must meet a
series of objective criteria. Comprehensive documentation of the estimates is maintained in
order for the organization to be able to respond to any queries raised about the source of the
estimates it publishes. The process of assessing data for inclusion in global databases may
involve correspondence with UNICEF field offices and/or other UN agencies and key
partners, and involves close coordination within UNICEF.
Purpose of the consultancy
This contract is to support the work regarding to nutrition data related activities including
statistical database management work under Focus Area 1 and 5 of the MTSP during the
global database update (CRING) period leading up to finalizing the statistical tables of the
State of the World’s Children Report (SOWC).
Scope of Work and Deliverables
Manage databases comprised of nutrition related indicators of primary concern to UNICEF,
and provide support for statistical analysis work.
More specifically, the tasks involved in this work will include:
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Review survey-based estimate data from annual country reports on indicators for the
goals (CRING), and provide feedback to all UNICEF Country Offices (CO) as
applicable. (20 days)
Update global databases on nutrition indicators reported at national levels and
covering different population groups and characteristics during the critical data
compilation period (CRING from April – July). Databases need to be available and
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accessible to SMS and partners for compiling reports on current levels, trends and
disparities, both within and across countries and regions. (30 days)
Prepare nutrition data for The State of the World’s Children and
<www.childinfo.org>. From July to August (20 days)
Support the production and updating of country statistical profiles with nutritionrelated indicator data. August – October (20 days)
Respond to ad hoc requests for data (10 days)
Conduct statistical analysis of nutrition-related indicator data (20 days)
Deliverables are:
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Progress report on CRING – Due date May 28
Complete CRING process review of all data from Country offices and reply to
Country Offices as applicable - Due June 18
Global databases updated - Due date July 31
SOWC tables finalized – Due August 31
Analysis completed – Due September 28
Inputs to profiles complete – Due October 31
Completed other requests for data – Due October 31
Minimum qualification requirements
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Education: Training in nutrition, public health, epidemiology, demography, or other
social sciences; advanced degree (Master’s degree or higher) preferred
Work experience: at least two years of experience in data management, data analysis,
monitoring and evaluation, social statistics, or survey research and survey data
analysis.
Other skills and attributes: Computer skills in advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint,
and other graphical software. Experience with STATA or SPSS preferred. Ability to
learn and use DEVINFO [http://www.devinfo.org/] for map production would be an
added advantage. Strong writing and interpersonal communication skills.
Languages: Ability to speak and write fluently in English is required; in addition, a
good working knowledge of French or Spanish will be an asset.
Duration
The consultancy will last approximately 6 months of full time work from 30 April 2012 to 31
October 2012.
Location:
UNICEF HQ/New York
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a daily rate, cover letter, a CV and P 11 form
(which can be downloaded from our website at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with
subject line “Statistics and Monitoring – Nutrition “, by April 13, 2012. Please indicate your
ability, and daily/monthly rate and availability to undertake the terms of reference
above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.