International Consultant Disparities trends analysis, Algeria
Purpose of Activity/Assignment :
In December 2020, the government of Algeria in cooperation with UNICEF released the report and the data of the 2019 Algeria Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey1. The Algeria’s MICS included over 200 indicators and covered over 31,000 households as a sample size, providing regionally representative data which can be disaggregated by age, sex, urban/rural, disability and wealth allowing precise targeting of development interventions. Since the fourth round of MICS in Algeria, microdata’s were publicly available and have been used extensively by researchers and national institutions. For instance, a poverty research project led by the Algerian Government enabled to produce the first child and youth multidimensional poverty thanks to a secondary analysis of MICS data2. The Algerian Government also used MICS figures to inform the Voluntary National Report in 20193.
The 2019 MICS is the most comprehensive recent data source for many key socio-economic and development indicators for Algeria, and potential source for analysis to inform national programmes and policies, and public advocacy.
In order to take full advantage of this important source of new data, UNICEF and the national partners are planning a series of analytical initiatives, including the present one to use the MICS data to have a more comprehensive picture of the extent and nature of territorial and socio-economic disparities in the country.
The Algerian Government and UNICEF are preparing the new country programme for the cycle 2022-2026. In this framework, the release of the MICS 2019 is a key opportunity to produce in-depth analysis on territorial and socio-economic disparities, along with the analysis of the previous rounds of the survey to have data trends. This important knowledge product will support an evidence-based dialogue with the Government on pro-equity interventions and strategies for children and adolescents and will help setting realistic and tangible results that will contribute to the Government priority on disparities reduction.
Scope of Work :
Objectives of the assignment : UNICEF is looking for an international consultant to carry out secondary and in-depth analysis of the MICS datasets to : (1) To identify the most disadvantaged children and adolescents, (2) To monitor disparities trends over time, , (3) To identify factors associated with disparities (like parental education, rural residence… etc.), and (4) To highlight obstacles and challenges that need to be addressed in order to tackle those disparities. For this purpose, the secondary and trends analysis will focus on different topics such as early childhood development, health, education, child protection, social protection, etc. The specific domains will be discussed and selected by the UNICEF and the consultant, and the analysis will be conducted by using different statistical and econometrical software and models
Key tasks :
- To conduct a secondary analysis of MICS with a focus on inequities and disparities’ trends (gender, spatial, wealth index, disability, etc.) and provide whenever possible cross references with the previous MICS conducted in Algeria (1995 to 2019).;
- To undertake, to the extent possible, an in-depth descriptive analysis of thematic data/indicators ;
- To produce simple and complex cross-tabulation/percentage distribution for thematic indicators disaggregated by profile variables ;
- To contextualize the analysis and explain how different groups of children, adolescents and women are affected by the disparities’ patterns ;
- To associate key socio-economic disparities trends influencing child rights realization to related policies and programmes; as much as the timeline permits ;
- Formulate relevant policy and programmatic recommendations highlighting opportunities, challenges and priorities to reduce and eliminate disparities ;
- The MICS data will be used for this analysis, yet other existing sources might also be used for this assignment to make the analysis more comprehensive if needed.
Outputs:
- Inception report ;
- Desk review ;
- Draft report and presentation of findings the report specification (length, structure, topics…) will be designed during the inception phase, in consultation with the relevant UNICEF team ;
- Final report and executive summary.
All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.
Payments :
20 % Inception report
30% Draft report
50% Final report
Supervisor: Social policy specialist
Start Date: 25 april 2021
End Date: 12 july 2021
Number of Days (working) 57 days
Minimum Qualifications required :
Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Economics, Epidemiology, Development or any other related technical field is required.
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required :
- At least three to five years’ experience in the analysis of quantitative household surveys (MICS or Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) highly desirable) ;
- Strong computer skills and proficiency in statistical analyses software including SPSS; STATA etc. ;
- Confirmed experience in reports writing ;
- Excellent oral and written communications in English and French is required; as the report should be written in both languages ;
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills ;
- Familiarity and previous experience of working in Algeria or at least in the region is highly desirable.
Other competencies :
Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and to establish harmonious and effective relationships both within and outside the organization
UNICEF accepts applications from individual consultants. For the purpose of selection, a consultant is requested to submit the following documents and information:
- P11 available on google ;
- A technical offer that includes the most updated curriculum vitae, a cover letter including a summary of experience in similar assignments, a proposed methodology, a timeline and an example of a previous similar report/document ;
- A financial offer that includes the consultancy fees and other expenses needed for this assignment ;
- The technical offer will be assigned a maximum score of 70 (only those with 50 and above will be considered for the financial evaluation), and a maximum score of 30 for the financial offer.
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.
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.
- http://www.mics.unicef.org/surveys ;
- http://www.cnese.dz/fr/publication ;
- https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/memberstates/algeria
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