Consultancy with UNICEF
Zimbabwe: Individual International consultant for Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) Data mining and Secondary Data Analysis Training
Organization: UN Children’s Fund
Country: Zimbabwe
Closing date: 16 Feb 2017
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.
Background
The 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (2015 ZDHS) presents the major findings of a nationally representative survey with a sample of more than 11,000 households. The ZDHS was conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), from July through December 2015. The 2015 ZDHS is the sixth such survey to be conducted in Zimbabwe as a follow-up to the 1988, 1994, 1999, 2005-06, and 2010-11 surveys and provides basic demographic and health indicators. Data generated through ZDHS (and other nationally representative household surveys) in 2015 is critically important, especially for providing baseline data for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The final ZDHS report has been disseminated, and the dataset is now available online for further analysis to understand trends and relationships between variables. Such an analysis is critical for understanding equity patterns to determine groups of disadvantaged persons so as to enhance programme and enrich policy dialogue. In addition, there is a general lack of national expertise in data mining, data analysis and data triangulation, such that, the Social Policy & Research section have identified an opportunity to initiate a secondary data analysis training programme in partnership with the national statistical agency (ZIMSTAT) and targeting data users in the Ministries of Finance and Planning, as well as data users within civil society and academia. This training programme will be a component of the overall ZDHS secondary analysis programme.
Introduction
The primary objective of the 2015 ZDHS survey is to provide current demographic and health information for use by policymakers, planners, researchers and programme managers. Specific topics covered in the survey include: respondent demographic characteristics, reproductive and contraceptive history, fertility preferences, family planning methods, infant and child mortality, knowledge and attitudes about sexually transmitted infections, maternal health, breastfeeding and complementary feeding, anaemia prevalence in children and women, ownership of mosquito nets, knowledge of HIV prevention methods, comprehensive knowledge of HIV prevention among young people, multiple sexual partners, coverage of prior HIV testing, male circumcision, prevention of cervical cancer, domestic violence and maternal mortality.
At this point of the ZDHS process, UNICEF requires a consultant to assist in the secondary analysis of the thematic issues from the ZDHS data.
Objective (s)
The main objective of the Consultancy is to write-up an Equity Focussed, multi-sectoral Thematic Reports based on the secondary analysis of the thematic issues in the 2015 ZDHS. This is a data mining, data analysis, data interpretation and report-writing assignment. The consultant is also required to conduct a series of workshops on Secondary analysis to capacitate our government partners, civil society and academia with skills that enable them to conduct further analysis of the surveys that they carry will carry out in the future.
Methodology & Expected Output
· Explore and apply new data visualization techniques to increase insight and visibility to unexplored ZDHS data trends and associated policy-related opportunities, challenges, and priorities. ·Based on this analysis, the Consultant will develop potential themes for further analysis and reporting. These themes should lead to the establishment of Focused Thematic Working Groups (FTWGs).
– Set up thematic groups to discuss and enrich the secondary analysis of the thematic issues from the ZDHS data.
– The consultant is expected to create and capacitate National Technical Working Groups (NTWGs) on further analysis of the ZDHS data.
– Consultant expected to conduct a series of training workshops for national partners on secondary data analysis
– Lead the presentation and validation of results.
– Produce reports and results for possible onward submission to a reputable journal.
Expected outputs
- A record of thematic discussions
- Preliminary ZDHS Thematic Report
- Completion of Training Report and Recommendations (after workshop series is completed)
- Final ZDHS Thematic
Major Tasks and, Deliverables
Task: Conduct subgroup analysis of ZDHS data to show unexplored relationships, subgroups, and district level variations.
Deliverable: 1 Summary document of suggested areas of further analysis
Task: Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders including UNICEF sections on suggestions of areas of further analysis.
Deliverables: 1 Inception report
Task: Formation of thematic groups.
Deliverable: 4 Thematic Groups
Task: Conduct a series of workshops (3) on Secondary analysis to capacitate national staff and partners with further analysis skills
Deliverable: 3 Secondary analysis workshops
Task: Conduct new and innovative data analysis and visualization to show some unexplored trends in the ZDHS data set
Deliverable: 1 Comprehensive Report
Task: Presentation and Validation of Results
Deliverable: 2 Final Reports
Timeframe
The consultancy will be for a duration of 8 months from 20th of March 2017 and end in 20th of November 2017.
Consultancy Requirements
- A minimum Masters in either demography or econometrics or statistics, and/or any related science or technical field;
- At least 10 years of work experience at international level in either demography, statistics, epidemiology, or mathematics, at both theoretical and practical level in the field.
- Experience in conducting secondary analysis for large surveys, within the past 5 years.
- Experience of working with the UN in general, and UNICEF is an added advantage
- Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with various partners including the government, civil society, private sector, UN and other development donors and high quality liaison and representation at local and national levels.
- Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills and ability to foster relationships with key stakeholders from donors, government counterpart, and other local partners.
- Strong understanding of data, data analysis, interpretation and presentation, and strong writing skills a must;
- Experience in high-level report-writing.
- Experience working and engaging with senior government officials, donor representatives and civil society on policy and strategic issues;
- Ability to work under pressure, effectively coordinate diverse stakeholders and meet tight deadlines without supervision and compromising quality of work;
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
- Good facilitation and presentation skills;
- Computer literacy and knowledge of standard PC software packages (MS. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) is essential.
Application Procedure
If interested and available, please submit your application letter, CV, Technical proposal and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing monthly professional fees, in-country field travel costs (estimated 4 field travel visits for the duration of the contract),by 16 February 2017. Please quote “ZDHS Consultant” as thesubject heading.
Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted. UNICEF does not charge a fee during the recruitment process.
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: https://goo.gl/vdJ1Nz