UNICEF Regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of
Independent States (UNICEF CEE/CIS RO)
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT
MULTIPLE INDICATOR CLUSTER SURVEY (MICS) REGIONAL DATA PROCESSING
CONSULTANTS
1 February – 31 December 2015
Background
Statistically sound and internationally comparable data are essential for developing evidencebased policies and programmes, as well as for monitoring countries’ progress toward national
goals and global commitments. Since 1995, UNICEF has supported the implementation of the
Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), assisting countries in generating high quality data
on the situation of children and women. Over the last 20 years and five rounds of MICS, about
300 MICS surveys have been conducted in more than 100 countries.
MICS enables countries to produce statistically sound and internationally comparable estimates
of a range of indicators in the areas of health, education, child protection, water and sanitation
and HIV and AIDS. For many countries, MICS surveys are among the most important sources
of data used for situation analyses, policy decisions and programme interventions, and for
influencing the public opinion on the situation of children and women.
During 2015, UNICEF will continue supporting the fifth round of MICS surveys. Apart from
generating information for over 20 MDG indicators, MICS will be help establish baselines for
the post-2015 sustainable development goals and track national priorities.
MICS surveys are carried out by government organizations, with the support and technical
assistance of UNICEF and other development actors. When countries adhere to the MICS
protocols and recommendations and make use of the tools provided, the survey process goes
very smoothly. However, in many countries, as the evaluations of the third and fourth rounds
of MICS also confirm, the provision of survey tools alone has not been sufficient. Additional
support of experienced personnel providing technical assistance to and working closely with
the survey management team in the country has been essential in ensuring survey quality.
Therefore, as part of the MICS5 programme, UNICEF will continue to strengthen its MICS
technical support mechanism at the regional level so that surveys can receive the required
level of technical assistance at critical stages.
As of now, all surveys in the CEE/CIS region that are part of the fourth round of MICS have
been completed with final reports available. As part of the fifth round, final reports of four
surveys have been finalised while three surveys report will be reviewed in early 2015. The
fieldwork of two surveys is planned to take place in the fall of 2015. Those surveys will require
support in respect to survey and sample design, review of questionnaires, pre-test, main
training and fieldwork monitoring. The UNICEF CEE/CIS RO Data Processing Consultants will
provide support to selected surveys in the above-mentioned stages as well as help the Regional
Office with ongoing further analysis of MICS data.
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Purpose
Under the overall supervision of the UNICEF Regional MICS Coordinator, the MICS Regional
Data Processing Consultants will be responsible for providing data processing-related technical
support to MICS surveys in selected countries in the CEE/CIS region.
Main Tasks
1. Review the adapted data entry programs (CSPro) for each assigned MICS survey taking
the MICS guidelines and final versions of questionnaires as a basis;
2. Review the adapted data processing programs (SPSS) for each assigned MICS survey
advising on compliance of the tabulation programs with MICS guidelines and of the output
tables with the adapted questionnaires for the survey;
3. Compile reports with technical comments and recommendations highlighting proposed
changes, if any, to the data entry and data analysis programs;
4. If applicable, facilitate the data entry and analysis training sessions during the MICS
regional workshop (Data Processing) and discuss and advise countries attending the
workshop on their data entry and data analysis approach;
5. Provide in-country support to selected countries in order to assist the implementing partner
in adapting the data entry and analysis programs (including providing technical support to
data cleaning, recoding, analysis and tabulation of country-specific modules and/or
questions).
Suggested timing of country visits:
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The first week of fieldwork – to support data entry training and to advise on set up of
the Data Processing System;
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Within 7-10 days after the end of the fieldwork – to support editing, cleaning, exporting
process, including the first run of tables;
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If necessary, within 2 months after the end of the fieldwork – to support finalization of
all tables, including production of sampling error tables;
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If necessary, at the end of the process – to support partners with data archiving.
During the country visit, the activities should include:
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Supporting the PDA/tablet pre-test (when relevant);
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Presentations on MICS data entry and analysis approach to UNICEF MICS focal points
and the data processing experts from the implementing partner;
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Review of necessary documents to support the data processing activities;
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Support and advise on the use of ‘Supervisor’s menu’ during data entry;
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Support data editing and recommend the use of double data entry;
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In collaboration with the implementing partner, put together the final datasets and
standard as well as country specific tables.
Further activities in support to selected countries may include:
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Participation in the setting up of the data entry room;
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Establishing a backup system;
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Adding weights to datasets;
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Creating wealth index;
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Finalisation of datasets;
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Training in data entry program immediately following the main fieldwork training.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
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certification of the data entry facility,
installation of data entry equipment,
o training data entry supervisor,
o certification of 100% double data entry process,
o verification of consistency checks and correction of inconsistencies,
o training for how to code the ‘other’ answers,
o questionnaire verification, and
o running data quality tables.
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Archiving.
Review the data processing related parts of the final report. Provide technical comments
and recommendations highlighting proposed changes, if any to the relevant chapters.
Support the data archiving and anonymisation of the MICS datasets in each country.
Ensure timely update of the regional team’s space with the relevant country documents.
Respond to ad-hoc data processing queries from countries.
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Qualifications and Competencies
Education
At least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Information Technologies, Statistics,
Demography, or any other related technical field with special expertise in data
management/processing is required. A master’s degree in one of the above fields is desired.
Skills and Experience
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At least 6 years’ experience in data processing for household surveys;
Extensive knowledge of CSPro and SPSS softwares.
Familiarity with the IHSN Microdata Management Toolkit (DDI Metadata Editor or Nesstar
Publisher) an asset
Must be familiar with the data processing approach of MICS and/or Demographic and
Health Surveys (DHS);
Demonstrated training experience;
Experience of working in developing countries;
Fluency in English. Excellent oral and written communications in Russian or one of the
widely used languages in the region is highly desirable;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
Ability and willingness to travel to all countries across the CEE/CIS region.
Other competencies
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Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and
effective relationships with national partners;
Demonstrated leadership, managerial and supervisory ability.
Deliverables
1. Documented review of each MICS survey data entry program (CSPro) and data analysis
(SPSS) package reviewed outlining key recommendations and proposed changes and how
the data processing approach meet or do not meet MICS technical standards – within 5
days after submission by the country.
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2. Country visit reports (including presentations and training materials) for each country
visited – within 7 days after the visit.
3. Regional workshop trip report – within 7 days after the workshop
4. Presentations and training materials used in workshops and trainings – within 7 days after
the workshop/training.
5. Documented review of the final datasets and syntaxes produced in each country – within
7 days after the submission by the country.
6. Documented review of each survey final report from a data processing point of view.
7. Documented review of data archiving produced for each country – within 7 days after the
submission by the country.
8. Evidence of other distance technical support through e-mail.
9. Quarterly activity log with the name of a country, type of support, date and
time spent for each task specified clearly.
Estimated Duration of the Contract
100 days from 1 February 2015 till 31 December 2015 with the possibility of an increase in the
number of days. The number of contract days in each contract will depend on the
profile/expertise and location of the consultant, the type of support expected as well as the
expected availability during the year for MICS-related assignments.
Consultant’s Work Place and Official Travel
Regional Data Processing Consultant will work from home using own equipment and
stationary. The consultant will be expected to travel to 1-2 countries and participate at the
MICS Data Processing Workshop, as necessary. During country visits, UNICEF CO or the
implementing partner will provide working space for the consultant.
How to apply
Qualified candidates are requested to email a cover letter, CV and P11 form (attached) to
[email protected] by 5 January 2015 with the subject line ‘Regional MICS Data
Processing consultant’. Please indicate your relevant experience, availability and daily
rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate
will not be considered.
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