UNICEF Research & Evaluation Consultant

Background

UNICEF Tanzania Country Office (TCO) supports a number of research and evaluation activities within its Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (IMEP) covering programme evaluations, key surveys and studies. In 2014, a total of 33 M&E activities have been planned which includes the evaluation of UNDAP, a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Study on Violence Against Children, an assessment on the Situation of Out of School Children and a School Quality Assessment, commencing in the coming months. Ensure the quality and timeliness of implementation of these activities is critical to feed into programme implementation and the design of the new UNDAP.

The TCO IMEP is part of the UNDAP M&E Calendar monitored by the UNDAP Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Programme Working Group (PMEWG) in which UNICEF plays a key role. As part of this calendar and linked with the planning for the new UNDAP the UN will be supporting an evaluation of UNDAP in which UNICEF will be represented as a member of the Evaluation Management Group and a country analysis toward the planning of the second phase of UNDAP in which UNICEF is expected to play a lead role.

Justification

Recent turnover within the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unit has left critical gaps in PME capacity not least in the area of research and evaluation. To support the Country Office in the interim as recruitment processes are conducted, temporary support will be required for a period of three months.

The assignment requires a consultant with research and evaluation expertise, both at a methodological and practical level as well as the capacity to interact with key stakeholders within the various study reference groups and the UNDAP PMEWG.

Specific Tasks

ü Quality assure the implementation of the KAP study on Violence Against Children, the assessment on the Situation of Out of School Children and the School Quality Assessment, including participation in technical reference groups, monitoring data collection, reviewing and providing comments on research products including the inception report, data collection instruments, draft and final reports, and providing support to the commission programme sections (Child Protection and Education) to ensure the timely implementation of the studies.

ü Provide support to UNICEF Statistics and Monitoring Specialist to conceptualise and implement the UN situation analysis drawing upon approaches using Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis (MODA) and Multidimensional Poverty Index.

ü Attend and contribute to UN PMEWG meetings

ü Attend and contribute to the UNDAP Evaluation Management Group meetings and coordinate inputs required from UNICEF as part of the evaluation process.

Expected Deliverables

ü Written feedback on research products of the three studies indicated above.

ü ToR for the UN Situation Analysis (prepared together with the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist)

ü Feedback to Deputy Representative on participation in PMEWG and UNDAP Evaluation Management Group with relevant actions captured for UNICEF.

Reporting

The consultant will be required to provide weekly progress updates on the status of work to the Deputy Representative.

Expected background and Experience

ü Master's degree in Economics, Statistics and/or Social Sciences

ü At least 5 years demonstrable experience in research and evaluation

ü Spoken and written fluency in English

ü Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills, and writing skills

General Conditions: Procedures and Logistics

ü The consultant will work primarily from the UNICEF office in Dar es Salaam with periodic travel to the field.

ü The consultant is entitled to DSA at the prevailing UN rate for travel outside of Dar es Salaam.

ü The consultant will be provided with a laptop and any necessary office supplies to complete the assignment

ü The consultant is authorised to access UNICEF transport and/or UN approved airline in economy class for travel to the field

ü The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis subject to satisfactory performance and submission of a consultancy evaluation. The consultant will not be paid during days off or while on sick leave.

How to apply:

Qualified candidates for this consultancy should submit their application along with updated CV and cover letter toThe Human Resource Manager, UNICEF Tanzania Country Office, Dar es Salaam, and sent tohr.tanzania@unicef.org indicating clearly Consultancy number 2014-06 as well as their current consultancy fee, on or before the closing date of 30 September 2014.Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to apply.

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