Consultant To Provide Technical Assistance and Workshop on Child Poverty Analysis

Job Number: 503468 | Vacancy Link
Location: Barbados (Caribbean Group)
Work Type : Consultancy

Closing Date 25 Mar 2017 Atlantic Daylight Time

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Background:

With the adoption of the 2016-2030 Sustainable Development Goals and targets, the indicator « Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, disaggregated by sex and age group » became one of the standard measures of progress on poverty reduction including on child poverty. In 2016 UNICEF developed a Technical Note with guidance on how to identify and request national poverty data to develop child poverty estimates.

The increased emphasis on child poverty reduction and development of national plans and policies on children requires the disaggregation of SDG indicators by age and calculation of child poverty rates in addition to national poverty rates. In order to place child poverty on top of the national development priorities starting in 2015 UNICEF for the first time began the compilation of « national child poverty » indicator data using the standard definition « Percentage of children aged 0-17 years living in households defined as poor according to the national poverty line ».

By 2012, most of the countries and territories in the Eastern Caribbean Area (ECA) had conducted their latest Country Poverty Assessments with the support of Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and EU. As part of every CPA, a national household Survey of Living Conditions was conducted which enabled the derivation of household and population poverty rates[1], including disaggregation by various background and socio-economic variables using data on household incomes and expenditure. The results were published and disseminated through the CPA reports. The CPAs are the official source for the economic poverty rates indicator.

However, although the presentation of poverty rates in the CPAs follow a consistent pattern, few ECA countries/territories have generated the child (0-17) poverty rates and numbers which is the UNICEF age standard.[2] UNICEF is supporting the analysis of CPA datasets to compute and make available the child poverty estimates in the ECA. The results and tabulations will also support the analysis and integration of child poverty in the next round of CPAs.

In 2016, UNICEF in collaboration with OECS Commission and inputs from CDB and national Statistical Offices completed a multi-country analysis of child poverty covering 10 countries and territories with the exception of Anguilla and Trinidad and Tobago. The latest CPA of Anguilla has been completed in 2007/2008. The Anguilla Statistical Department (ASD) and UNICEF identified the opportunity of analyzing the SLC datasets in-country in order to generate the poverty rates and numbers for children, including relevant disaggregation; while upholding the confidentiality of datasets in accordance with the Anguilla Statistical Act.

To support national capacities and strengthen familiarization with the methodology and findings as well as stimulate data discussion and use, a one day workshop will be delivered to relevant social stakeholders in Anguilla. Similarly, selected sessions on child poverty methodology, findings and key results will be delivered as part of a workshop on child poverty analysis and use in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Furthermore, the lessons learned from the child poverty analysis, including implications on the survey design, tabulations and integration in e-CPA reports will be shared with the OECS Living Standards Measurement Committee (LSMC).

Scope of the Assignment:

UNICEF ECA requires the technical assistance of a consultant (data analyst) to perform the analysis and produce the tables with the child poverty rates/number and selected disaggregates based on the Anguilla SLC datasets. The consultant will use the UNICEF technical guidelines on « child poverty using national poverty line » and multi-country child poverty analysis tabulations plan.

Based on the analytical work to be conducted in Anguilla and the 2016 multi-country analysis, the consultant will support capacity development in Anguilla and TCI on child poverty analysis and share lessons learned and recommendations during the OECS LSMC meeting.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

A)    Conduct Child poverty analysis and workshop in Anguilla:

A.1) Reanalyze the SLC datasets for Anguilla and produce the following tabulations (weighted and unweighted)[3]:

a.  Children (0-17 years), adolescents (10-19 years), adult (18+ years) and total population poverty rates and numbers, including sub-age groups where possible. Poverty (including food and non-food items) and extreme poverty.

b.  Disaggregation of child, adolescent, adult and total poverty/indigence rates by sex of household head, belonger/non-belonger[4] households (if applicable) and number of children in the household.

c.  Calculate the standard errors and the 95% confidence intervals for the child poverty rates and groups/sub-groups for all tables in accordance with the sample format.

A.2) Facilitate a 1-day workshop on child poverty comprising relevant social sectors, covering: key steps and lessons from the analysis (how it was conducted, definition and computation), main Anguilla findings on child poverty from the analysis (country perspective, plus regional perspective), key child poverty issues emerging and discussion/Q&A.

B)    Facilitate selected sessions during the workshop on child poverty analysis and social protection in Turks and Caicos Islands: key steps and lessons from the analysis (how it was conducted, definition and computation), main TCI findings on child poverty from the analysis (country perspective, plus regional perspective), key child poverty issues emerging and discussion/Q&A.

C)    Facilitate presentation during the LSMC meeting (10-11 April 2017) on the lessons learned and recommendations from the multi-country child poverty analysis, implications on the survey design, tabulations, integration in CPA reports, etc.

Deliverables and timeframe:

The consultant will produce the following deliverables within the estimated timeframe:

*Including preparation time, development of presentations and review.

All tables with Anguilla child poverty analysis will be submitted in MS Excel format. Presentations from Anguilla workshop, TCI workshops and LSMC meeting will be submitted in MS PowerPoint or similar presentation format.

Contract Duration: The contract period will be from 01^st April 2017 to 30^th June 2017 for a total of 11 working days estimated to complete the assignment.

Expected Results:

1. Anguilla poverty and extreme poverty rates and numbers for children, adolescents, adults and total population, including relevant disaggregation, are analyzed and available for use.
2. Relevant social stakeholders in Anguilla are familiar with the methodology, definitions, main findings and emerging issues on child poverty in the territory;
3. Relevant social stakeholders in Turks and Caicos Islands are familiar with the methodology, definitions, main findings and emerging issues on child poverty in the territory;
4. OECS LSMC members are aware of the lessons learned from the multi-country child poverty analysis, including recommendations on the survey design, tabulations and integration in CPA reports.

Arrangements and Travel:

The consultant will visit Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands and work jointly with the national statistician from the Anguilla Statistics Department for reanalyzing the SLC datasets, calculation of the specific rates/numbers and adaptation and population of relevant tabulations. ASD will share the 2007/2008 SLC datasets with the consultant and national statistician.

Travel costs including tickets and DSA will be covered by UNICEF in accordance with UNICEF procedures and standards.

Consultancy fees will be paid in one installment upon completion and submission of the final deliverables.

Contract Supervision: Guidance and technical review of deliverables will be provided by UNICEF Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist.

Recourse:        

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or failure to meet deadlines.

Property Rights:

UNICEF shall hold all property rights, such as copyright, patents and registered trademarks, on matter directly related to, or derived from, the work carried out through this contract with UNICEF.

Qualifications:

The consultant is expected to possess:

• Studies in statistics, sociology or other social sciences with applied studies in poverty measurement;
• Strong analytical skills and experience in data analysis, especially pertaining to statistical analysis and assessments of poverty and living conditions;
• Proven experience in conducting data analysis based on household survey microdata in particular Survey of Living Conditions (Country Poverty Assessments);
• Previous experience in conducting child poverty analysis in the Eastern Caribbean a strong asset;
• Advanced skills in statistical analysis software, especially SPSS;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required;
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely manner.

Conditions of Service:

Prior to commencing the contract, the Individual Consultant will be required to submit a statement of good health, accompanied by a recent Medical Certificate which indicates that the Consultant is fit for work and travel (if applicable). In addition, the Consultant is required to certify in the Health Statement that he/she is covered by medical/health insurance. The statement includes confirmation that he/she has been informed of any inoculation required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized. He/she takes full responsibility for the accuracy of the statement.

Institutional contractors or corporate entities will be required to submit certificate of registration or certificate of incorporation. Those companies which have not worked with UNICEF before will be required to submit samples of their work.

Medical certification is not required for corporate entities.

How To Apply:

Qualified consultants should apply through UNICEF »s Talent Management System and should submit:

• Cover letter, indicating the proposed daily rate for the consultancy fee
• Curriculum Vitae (CV), and
• Any other supporting documentation

Applications should be submitted no later than March 24th, 2017.

Footnotes:

[1] 2 poverty rates were derived: (i) the extreme poverty (indigence/ absolute) poverty line based on food expenditure only; and (ii) the general poverty line based on food and non-food expenditures.

[2] Most CPAs present child poverty rates for the 0-14 year age group only.

[3] Weighted = for the entire population; unweighted = based on SLC sample population only.

[4] Belonger/ non-belonger are the terms commonly used for nationals/ non-nationals in Eastern Caribbean UK overseas territories where immigration has been substantial.
Opening Date 13 Mar 2017 Atlantic Daylight Time
Closing Date 25 Mar 2017 Atlantic Daylight Time

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