L’UNICEF  recherche un Consultant francophone en recherche quantitative pour l’axe protection sociale/transferts de fonds (Burkina Faso, Mali)

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For every child, Research

Background
UNICEF Innocenti is leading the Gender-Responsive Age-Sensitive Social Protection (GRASSP) research programme, funded by FCDO. The programme seeks to strengthen the gender-responsiveness of social protection systems by building a robust evidence base on ‘what works’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ to improve gender equality outcomes. Within GRASSP, Innocenti is conducting two mixed methods impact evaluations in Burkina Faso and Mali.

In Burkina Faso, UNICEF Innocenti is evaluating a child-sensitive social protection programme, which provides cash transfers, in combination with nutrition and WASH services. The study has a quasi-experimental design.

In Mali, UNICEF Innocenti is evaluating a cash plus programme to Women’s Savings Groups, including cash and complementary services in the area of nutrition and income generation. The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) including three arms: cash and services, services only and control (no intervention). The consultant will lead on quantitative data collection, analysis and report writing for the evaluation.

Objectives of the consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to support the quantitative component of the above-mentioned mixed methods impact evaluations in Burkina Faso and Mali. Two in-country missions are expected (one in Mali, one in Burkina Faso). Software for data analysis: Stata.

Major areas of work and responsibility

1. Burkina Faso: The project includes three rounds of data collection of a ‘cash plus’ programme to reduce child multidimensional poverty. Baseline data were collected in January – March 2020, midline data were collected in June-August 2022, and endline data is scheduled to be collected in January – March, 2023. Main activities include:

•  Moderation and mediation analysis of impacts for midline study
•  Finalization of midline mixed-methods report
•  Finalization of endline data collection instrument
•  Support to endline training, data quality checks, and data management
•  Econometric analysis to estimate programme impacts at endline

2. Mali. The project includes two rounds of data collection to evaluate the impact of a ‘cash plus’ programme to protect women’s and their households from the consequences of the COVID-19. Baseline data were already collected and analyzed. Follow up data collection will be conducted in May-June 2023. Main activities:

•  Finalization of follow up questionnaire, support enumerator training (including mission), data management and data quality checks;
•  Econometric analysis of data;
•  Writing of three chapters of the impact evaluation report.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of a Social Policy Specialist.

3. UNICEF Innocenti does not issue computer equipment to consultants. The consultant will be responsible for providing the necessary computer equipment for the consultancy themselves and should include the cost implications of this responsibility in their bid for the consultancy. The cost of software and subscriptions that may be necessary to complete the consultancy (e.g., Microsoft Word) also needs to be factored into the bid for the consultancy.

4. This consultancy requires the consultant to travel in order to complete the required deliverables effectively and efficiently. The full cost of travel should be included into the bid for the contract. While UNICEF Innocenti does not make travel arrangements for consultants, there are value for money rules that apply to consultant travel. The consultant will arrange their own travel, clear the anticipated cost with UNICEF and invoice UNICEF for the travel cost as soon as the travel has been completed.

5. UNICEF Innocenti will assist consultants with arrangements for visas, work permits, vaccinations, etc.

6. UNICEF does not regard Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract as “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures. Consultants are therefore not entitled to benefits such as leave, pension 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.

7. Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed 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. Prospective consultants are encouraged to ensure that they fully understand (a) the requirements of each deliverable and (b) the workload associated with reaching a deliverable.

8. UNICEF Innocenti recognises that, due to the locations of some of its research, events may occur that either delay deliverables or prevent them from being completed. These events need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine the impact on the payment schedule of the contract. It is UNICEF Innocenti’s objective to be fair to consultants in situations where deliverables are delayed or no longer attainable through no wrongdoing of the consultant.

9. 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.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: Disciplines: Social sciences, economics, education, public/social policy, public health or related field.

Essential skills:

•  Master’s in Economics, Public Policy or related field;
•  At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience conducting research on social protection or child and family wellbeing;
•  Demonstrated knowledge of social research designs, survey questionnaire design and development;
•  Excellent econometric skills used on large scale survey data sets, including advanced Stata skills;
•  Ability to organize own work and to carry out a research project with limited supervision according to deadlines;
•  Ability to speak and write fluently in English;
•  Advanced level of French language.

Desirable qualifications:

•  PhD in Economics, Public Policy, or related field;
•  Experience analysing social protection/cash transfer survey datasets;
•  Thinks and acts strategically;
•  Works collaboratively with others;
•  Understanding of additional data analysis package such as Python or R;
•  Experience conducting microsimulations;
•  Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

Core Values

•  Care
•  Respect
•  Integrity
•  Trust
•  Accountability
•  Sustainability

Competencies

•  Builds and maintains partnerships
•  Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
•  Drive to achieve results for impact
•  Innovates and embraces change
•  Manages ambiguity and complexity
•  Thinks and acts strategically
•  Works collaboratively with others

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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: 

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. 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.