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Background and Justification :
UNICEF Lesotho has been supporting the Bureau of Statistics (BOS), Ministry of Development Planning (MODP) to generate knowledge on child poverty for informed decision-making. The BOS, with the technical support of UNICEF, published a child poverty report in 2018. The report was prepared using the multiple overlapping deprivations approach (MODA) and the 2014 demographic and health survey (DHS) data. The findings of the report were used to inform the National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II) 2018/19 2022/23 to determine priority interventions based on child poverty prevalence. The MODP conducted the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) in 2018 with the support of UNICEF. Therefore, it is an opportunity for the Government of Lesotho to update the child poverty report using the updated MICS data to monitor the implementation of the NSDP II and inform social sector programme decisions.
This TOR is prepared to recruit a local individual consultant to support BOS in processing and analyzing data for the preparation of the 2020 child poverty report. The consultant can accomplish the assignment remotely if COVID-19 does not allow face to face interactions.
Scope of Work :
Goal and Objective :
The purpose of the consultancy is to support the BOS to analyze MICS 2018 data to prepare 2020 child poverty report using the MODA.
Activities and Tasks : The contractor will perform the following specific functions.
- Undertake descriptive statistics analyses of data and present results in appropriate illustrative formats (e.g., tables, figures, etc.) using statistical software (e.g., Stata, SPSS, Excel, etc.) utilized by BOS ;
- Carry out bi-variate and tri-variate analyses of multiple overlapping deprivations using Venn diagrams with application to Excel software ;
- Organize data and evidence following the structure of the MODA report ;
- Facilitate 2 validation workshops with BOS technical staff the first one is on preliminary analysis and 2nd one on final analysis.
Work relationships : The consultant will work under the supervision of the Social Policy Specialist (Public Finance) in UNICEF and also work closely with relevant officials of MODP and BOS.
Activities /Outputs/Deliverables :
| Activity |
Deliverables |
Month (M) |
| M1 |
M2 |
M3 |
| Determine relevant deprivation indicators composing the Lesotho multidimensional poverty index (e.g., health, housing, nutrition, education, etc.) and categorization variables (e.g., age, district, quintile of wealth asset index, head education, etc.) of focus, in close collaboration with BOS, while proposing alternative solutions to fill any significant data gaps resulting eventually from the 2018 MICS not having all the variables / indicators of the 2014 DHS that were used for the 2018 child poverty report |
1) List of relevant deprivation indicators to Lesotho, and building on 2018 child poverty indicators, agreed with BOS and shared with UNICEF Social Policy.
2) Summary of descriptive statistics results for retained deprivation indicators, laid out in appropriate illustrative formats (e.g., tables, figures, etc.) available in Excel format and shared and reviewed by BOS and UNICEF. |
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| Prepare a 2-day technical validation workshop of child poverty results derived from MICS 2018 undertaken in 2 batches of 10 participants (1-day workshop for each batch at BOS Office), with knowledge building on MODA methodology and concepts |
Minutes of each technical validation workshop hosting each 10 participants (BOS, Government, CSOs, and Parliament) available |
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| Conduct analyses of main trends in Lesotho children (individual and multidimensional) deprivations which account for the child poverty implications of COVID-19 pandemic, with recommendations to deliver more results for children |
Summary note presenting main findings on 2020 child poverty both individual and multidimensional deprivations available |
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Reporting Format: In the beginning of the assignment, the consultant and the supervisor will agree on the specific deadlines for the deliverables based on inception report.
| Name of the contractor |
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| Name of the programme Section |
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| Reporting months with specific dates |
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| Planned results as per the 2.5 section |
Achievement indicator (deliverable) |
Means of verification |
Comments on achievement (lessons learned or challenges) |
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Payment : The consultant will be paid based on agreed delivery of deliverables and upon submission of a report following the reporting format above.
Payment schedule : Payment will be made upon successful delivery of planned deliverables.
| Day |
Deliverable |
Payment in USD |
| August 14, 2020 |
Technical note providing summary statistics trend analysis and impact simulation of health-related shocks of the relevant deprivations affecting children in Lesotho |
25% |
| September 14, 2020 |
Minutes of technical validation workshops hosting each 10 participants (BOS, Government, CSOs, and Parliament) available |
35% |
| October 14, 2020 |
Summary note presenting main findings on 2018 child poverty both individual and multidimensional deprivations available |
40% |
Desired profile :
- Education : Post graduate degree in Statistics, Demographics, Population Studies, Economics or in any related Social Science fields ;
- Experience : Minimum of 5 years work experience in child poverty measurement and analysis, including conducting research and evaluation, writing proposals and reports, and conducting training and capacity building workshop sessions ;
- Competencies : Good communication, working with people, drive for results, and planning and organizing ;
- Language : Fluency in English.
Administrative issues :
- The selected consultant will be governed by and subject to UNICEF General Terms ;
- The consultant will work on their own computer(s) and use their own office resources, software, and materials in the execution of this assignment ;
- The consultant fees must be all inclusive of all administrative costs ;
- The consultant is expected to be available and fully in charge of delivering the deliverables during the contract period ;
- As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against satisfactory completion of deliverables as per the approved work plan. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 percent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
Financial proposal :
- The bidder must submit cost by deliverable in Maloti or Rand ;
- Rates/Prices offered shall be all inclusive and shall remain fixed for the entire period from the commencement of the contract ;
- No Letter of Credit or Advance Payment will be given ;
- The Financial Regulations and Rules of UNICEF preclude advance payments and payments by letter of credit, except in special circumstances. Such provision in a proposal will be prejudicial to its evaluation by UNICEF.
Risks :
Inadequate commitment and support from BOS could result in delays in the production of the multidimensional poverty deprivations and index, including the drafting of the ensuing summary brief which will be used in the drafting of the child poverty report. Regular monitoring of implementation and liaison with concerned officials of the Ministry and BOS, alongside involvement of UNICEF management in negotiation with policy level officials if situation arises, will be done.
How to Apply :
Qualified candidates are requested to complete an application including profile to the respective advertisement on https://www.unicef.org/about/employ/. Please, indicate your ability, availability and financial proposal/quote to complete the terms of reference above :
- Rates must include all expenses related to the assignment (e.g., consultancy fee) ;
- Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered ;
- If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 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.