Long Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Individual Consultants as Data Processing and Analysis, Data and Analytics Team (DAT), DAPM (remote-based)

Title: Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for Engagement of Individual Consultants as Data Processing and Analysis

Duty Station: Remote-based

Duration of LTA: Two years with the possibility of extension for one more year (max. 3 years)

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/RATIONALE

UNICEF’s work in the area of data analysis highlights trends and emphasizes patterns found within the data and suggests how these data can be used strategically to inform evidence-based policy and programmatic efforts. The results of UNICEF’s data analysis work appear in its flagship publications as well as data-driven thematic reports, articles, brochures, documents and other dissemination materials.

Toward this end, the Child Protection and Development Unit (CPD) within the Data and Analytics Section produces data and knowledge products on key thematic issues pertaining to child protection, early childhood development (ECD), children with disabilities and adolescents. 

There is an ongoing requirement for the production of high-quality data packages that include data processing, tabulating findings, assessing data quality, and trends on various thematic topics covered by the CPD data team. The primary source of this data will be household surveys such as MICS and DHS, but there may, on occasion, other types of data sources requiring data processing and/or analysis such as censuses. The end products will be disseminated through various channels, including the data warehouse, data.unicef.org, and data-driven publications.

Selected consultants will be eligible for a long-term agreement contract to provide on-demand technical data processing and analysis support to the Child Protection and Development (CPD) team.

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

To meet these requirements, UNICEF HQ would like to engage the services of consultants to enable the child protection and development (CPD) team to diversify and scale up support on SDG and UNICEF Strategic Planning (SP) monitoring and CPD data analysis.

PROGRAMME AREA AND SPECIFIC PROJECT AREA

Data processing and analysis in the area of child protection (which includes topics such as birth registration, violence, child labour, harmful traditional practices and children outside of family care), ECD, children with disabilities, adolescents and other cross-sectoral topics in connection to CPD, including education, health, multi-dimensional poverty, WASH, etc.

OBJECTIVE(S)

The overall objective is to set up a Long-Term Agreement to facilitate and expedite the process by which the UNICEF HQ CPD team will hire data processing analysts as required for specific projects to develop these high-quality analysis packages.

MAJOR TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED

Selected applicants will be deployed as needed to provide technical support depending on their expertise and experience in the following tasks include, but may not be limited to:

1. Develop or adapt automated analytical tools on the CPD thematic area to process, tabulate, analyze, compile and visualize data using primary datasets and publish findings in various customized layouts, structures, and formats, including MS Excel, CSV, PowerPoint, PDF, and others.
2. Execute on-demand inferential analyses that may include appropriate regressions and other analyses.
3. Be available to support the preparation of draft analysis plans, including suggesting indicators, variables, types of statistical analyses, etc., as needed.
4. Execute on-demand descriptive analysis, calculate customized indicators, and include geospatial or socio-economic and demographic stratifiers, associated confidence intervals, significance tests, etc.
5. Perform underlying data quality assurance by ensuring the customized estimates align with their trends and evaluating research methodology and sampling properties as needed. Fact-check calculated estimates against the published reports. Review, edit, and consolidate end-products.
6. Provide associated codes/syntaxes/do files and outputs in the agreed-upon formats.
7. Be available for several rounds of editing/revision with regard to end products.
8. Deliver on tight, short timelines as needed.

Responsibilities of the Consultant:

1. The consultant will use their own equipment; laptops, software and other accessories that may be required for this task.
2. The consultant will not give the content/material or any part thereof to any third party without the written permission of UNICEF HQ. All components will be the property of UNICEF, and the consultant will not share them with anyone else.
3. The consultant will not put their own name or logo/emblem on the content / final product. The only organization branding will be UNICEF, if required.
4. 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 and Individual Contractors. 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.
5. The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

Responsibilities of UNICEF:

i.   UNICEF will provide all details pertaining to the activity and the requirements.  

Consultants may be required to work on Saturdays and Sundays, based on the requirements of the assignment. 

DELIVERABLES

S. No.

Category            

Deliverables

1. 

Development/ adaptation of analytical plans and tools producing end products in the required structures and formats

Development/adaptation of required analytical tools to be used in the production of statistical outputs on various CPD-related topics. Ensuring clear documentation and organization of all outputs.

o   Automated analytical tools generating statistical outputs written in agreed-upon software packages

o   Analysis plans (when necessary), output tables and other agreed deliverables

o   Originally written or adapted codes and scripts for the indicator generation and inferential analyses/modeling

2. 

On-demand data processing, tabulation and compilation in the required structures and formats

o   A processed, generated and compiled list of tables and indicators along with confidence intervals and significance test results in agreed formats

o   Fact-checked statistical outputs

o   Originally written or adapted codes and scripts for the indicator generation and descriptive analyses/modeling

ESTIMATED DURATION OF LTA

The Long-Term Agreement will be for a duration of three years. The initial period would be for two years with an option for renewal for a subsequent year on the same rates, terms and conditions, subject to satisfactory performance evaluation and continuing need for the service.

QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES

(CORE/TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL) / LANGUAGE SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THE ASSIGNMENT 

Category 1: For Development/adaptation of analytical tools producing end products in the required structures and formats

• A Master’s level degree or higher in demography, statistics, mathematics, economics, sociology or related fields with statistics and programming.
• This is a mid-level position; consultants should have a minimum of five years of professional work experience in data processing, analysis, and management, preferably in the development or social policy field.
• A high level of computer literacy, including quantitative/analytical skills with statistical software packages (such as STATA, SPSS, R) and advanced proficiency with R and MS Excel are needed. Translation of programming codes from one another is important.
• Experience in the analysis of data from MICS, DHS and national surveys or censuses. Experience in MICS and DHS is desirable.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English are essential.
• Ability to work independently, quickly respond to needs and demonstrate flexibility and meet deadlines.

Category 2: For on-demand data processing and compilation

• A Bachelor’s level degree or higher in demography, statistics, mathematics, economics, sociology or related fields with statistics and programming. A Diploma in a relevant field with experience can be considered in lieu of the degree.
• This is a junior-level position; consultants should have a minimum of three years of professional work experience in data processing, analysis, and management.
• Proficiency in computer literacy, including quantitative/analytical skills with statistical software packages (such as STATA, SPSS, R) and skills with R and MS Excel are needed.
• Experience in the analysis of data from MICS, DHS and national surveys or censuses. Experience in MICS and DHS is desirable.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English are essential.
• Ability to work independently, quickly respond to needs and demonstrate flexibility and meet deadlines.

Note: Candidates are free to apply to any category based on their qualifications and experience. They can also apply for both categories. UNICEF will award LTAs to the top-ranked 2-3 candidates under each category. A candidate may be awarded an LTA for one or more than one category.

Language:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required 

TECHNICAL EVALUATION CRITERIA (WITH WEIGHTS FOR EACH CRITERIA)

The selection of consultants for the LTA will be based on technical evaluation and financial offers in the ratio of 80:20. The criteria for technical evaluation will be as follows:

Criteria

Marks

Min

Max

1. Cover Letter – Explaining the motivation for applying and explaining how the qualifications and skill set of the candidate are suitable for this position.

3

3

2. Relevant educational qualifications of the candidate.

7

10

3. Relevant work experience

10

15

Sub-Total: Candidates will be shortlisted for the written test based on the review of criteria 1 through 3 as listed above. Candidates who score overall 20 marks and above against criteria (1 through 3) and meet the minimum cut-off in each of

the above four sub-criteria will be shortlisted for the written test

20

30

4. A written test will be administered to shortlisted candidates

35

50

TOTAL TECHNICAL SCORE

The minimum overall qualifying score is 55. Only those candidates who meet the overall qualifying marks of 55 and score the minimum cut-off in each of the above sub-criteria, including the interview, will be considered technically responsive, and their financials will be opened.  

55

80

Financial Score

The selection of the consultant will be on the basis of technical evaluation & financial offer in the ratio of 80:20

 

20

TOTAL

 

100

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Financial Proposals should be submitted as a separate document from the materials required for the technical evaluation and should follow the template provided below. Include the name of the consultant, signature, address, contract number, email address, and date.

For each category, candidates should submit two daily fees: for category 1 there should be a daily fee for developing analytical tools and for category 2 there should be a daily fee for data processing and analyzing.

Category / Services

Rate

Development of analytical plans and tools producing end products in the required structures and formats

• Development of analytical plans and tools
• Several rounds of fact-checking/editing/revision
• Others

Daily  

On-demand data processing, tabulation and compilation in the required structures and formats

• Execute on-demand inferential analyses
• Prepare draft analysis plans
• Execute on-demand descriptive analysis
• Several rounds of fact-checking/editing/revision
• Others

Daily 

 CONTRACTS CREATED AGAINST THE LTA

Whenever data processing and analysis services are required, details of the requirement/deliverables, including quantities and deadlines will be presented to the top-ranking LTA holder. Should this consultant not be available for this assignment, UNICEF will contact the second ranked consultant and so on.

Upon receipt of confirmation of availability and interest in the assignment, a contract will be issued with the prices/fees agreed in the LTA. The consultant must sign the contract prior commencement of work.

Payment will be made after completion of deliverables and submission of invoices for the actual work completed, subject to satisfactory performance.

HOW TO APPLY: 

The application to be submitted through the online portal and should contain four separate attachments:

1. A Cover letter explaining suitability for the position (to be uploaded online under “Cover Letter” tab)
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume (to be uploaded online under “Resume” tab) . It is critical to highlight the relevant work experience in detail that aligns TOR requirements as you will observe from the advertisement that more marks have been assigned to these criteria for arriving at the most suitable candidate (to be uploaded online under “Other – Applicant” as a single document containing work samples for all categories applied)
3. A financial proposal (for the categories applied) as per the template attached. Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving (to be uploaded online under “Financial Proposal” tab).  
4. Copy of educational qualifications (to be uploaded online)

Important Note: Please do not indicate financials anywhere else in the online application form, please mark "n/a or 00", under the fee related questions in the online application form.

Without all the above 4 documents, your application will be considered incomplete and invalid and will not be considered further.

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.
• Women, trans, non-binary and gender diverse candidates meeting the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds including persons living with disabilities to apply.
• General Terms and Conditions for the Consultancy Contract is attached, for your reference.

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 is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

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 (where 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.