Individual Consultancy (Maldivian National) - Data Management and Monitoring

Job no: 539270

Position type: Consultancy

Location: Maldives Division/Equivalent: Kathmandu(ROSA)

School/Unit: Maldives

Department/Office: Male, Maldives

Categories: Monitoring and Evaluation, NO-2, NO-1, Statistics and Monitoring, Consultancy

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Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

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Advert: National Consultant - Data Management and Monitoring

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the provision of routine social services across the Maldives. During the greater Male' lockdown in the period 15th April - 15th June 2020 routine social services have been disrupted to some extent, and while they have returned somewhat to normalcy, the situation still remains difficult. An estimated 8,000 under-five children and around 4,000 pregnant women are in need of basic public health care services at any given time in the Maldives. Schools have been closed for a very long time with some signs of opening for upper grades and in those islands with no COVID case detected. Government focused on protecting the workers and their families. It was and is crucial to invest in social protection measures, such as direct cash transfers, especially to households with children as dependents. Without emergency cash transfers, many of these families can fall below the poverty line inflicting a serious threat to human development. The number of cases reported on domestic violence or child abuse cases are on the rise relating to other social issues in the family and island.

A key challenge as the pandemic continues is the lack of adequate routine data collection and monitoring systems that allow appropriate policy decisions. There is no existing health information system that can provide real regular updated data on primary health care services, or changes in service utilization, though a well-established education information system is functional since the schools remained closed for a long time there was no data entered into the system to provide up to date information on number of children attending online or tele classes that transmitted via TV channels, reported cases on domestic violence or child abuse cases were not managed and referral data were not easily available. Data collection continues to be manual, ad-hoc, and often delayed, making it challenging for the all sectors system at large to ensure full coverage and access to vital services for all. This is particularly important for those women and children already living in poverty or vulnerable, and without an adequate data collection and monitoring system in place, many risks being left further behind.

In the current context, social services delivery systems are required to adapt and respond to these changing needs but also to anticipate future demands. Data and feedback on services are key to management and improvement of social services delivery. Monitoring performance implementation and services ensures that lifesaving essential services such as immunization and social protection care provided to every child and vulnerable population, even during the emergency situation.

In this regard, UNICEF is seeking a national consultant to support UNICEF MCO and government to coordinate, manage and monitor key child indicators under the SDG and other global commitments.

Purpose of the Assignment & Objectives:

The purpose of the assignment is to strengthen the coordination, management and monitoring of national and sub-national health data and information, contributing to evidence-based data driven policy and programmes.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are to:

  • To identify existing data information gaps and issues in coordinating, managing, monitoring and reporting of essential child indicators and address through alternative mechanisms.
  • To support the systematic collection, management, monitoring, and analysis of disaggregated data/information on a monthly basis to enhance decision making, planning and human and financial resource allocation.
  • To effectively and efficiently monitor routine social service data and track child indicators.
  • To establish a national data collection support system from islands to national level.
  • Support the establishment of a simple digitalized data monitoring tool that helps decentralized data systems to report on key indicators on a regular basis.

Duty station: The consultant will be based in UNICEF MCO but will work closely with the National Bureau of Statistics, Male', Maldives.

Supervisor: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, UNICEF MCO

Major tasks of the Assignment:

The consultant will work with the National Bureau of Statistics and other relevant ministries, and UNICEF and will undertake the following tasks: a. Assist Government/NBS officials in the development of coherent implementation plans/strategies in strengthening the National Statistics and Information system

b. Support the ongoing data information system development and initiatives with a view of capturing key child indicators.

c. Design strategies and support the full-scale implementation of data management systems, including action trackers, dashboards and mobile applications.

d. Identify existing data, information gaps issues in monitoring and reporting of essential child indicators. Provide feedback to the national programs on lessons learnt and identify bottle necks in the implementation of child social services and national programs and bring to the attention of national authorities at policy level and divisions.

e. Work jointly with the relevant programmes to identify gaps in existing data reporting mechanisms, propose and recommend quick solutions.

f. Work with the relevant programme teams and atoll / district focal points (data management network) to ensure regular data on key child indicators are collected, analysed and reported on to inform strategic decision-making in the response and recovery phase, and identify timely solutions to challenges.

g. Support development, implementation, analysis and use of relevant monitoring tools to ensure data is generated for and used by sectors.

h. Monitor routine child data and track child indicators including through the use of digital technologies

i. Compile necessary data and analysis information periodically to identify patterns and changes, and present to programme heads and senior management at sectors.

j. Develop profiles and dashboards on essential child data, and SDG indicators on a need basis

k. Manage data analytics and child indicators and share / update it bi-monthly within and internal platform and with internal stakeholders.

l. Support the to build capacity of relevant staff (relevant sector programmes) in the collection, analysis and presentation of information related to child and SDG for decision making and planning and advocacy.

Estimated duration of contract: The assignment will be signed for an initial period of 06 months between April 2021 - September 2021

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Official travel involved (itinerary and duration): Possibility of travel to islands, based on the need.

Deliverables:

Progress report 1 with:

  • Inception report
  • Activity plan and timeline

Progress reports every month with #2, 3, 4, 5,

  • Update on activities conducted
  • Tools and profiles developed
  • Monthly monitoring reports of key indicators

Final report.

Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required:

  • An advanced university degree in statistics/demography or social science discipline. A university degree with relevant experience in lieu of an advanced degree can be considered
  • Additional training in data management or monitoring and evaluation of the program is desirable
  • One year of experience in information management, data, monitoring is required. Experiencing facilitating data focused teamwork is essential. Relevant exposure in related field can be considered
  • Able to handle data and information on computer software, and basic monitoring skills required
  • Excellent written and spoken Dhivehi and good writing skills in English.
  • Excellent interpersonal and demonstrated good level of communication skills. Proven ability to work in teams.

Deadline for Applications: 7th April 2021, 06:00pm (Maldives time)

Application Link:

https://secure.dc7.pageuppeople.com/apply/671/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=539270&SourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF's values and competencies.

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:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

Advertised: Mar 31 2021 West Asia Standard Time Application close: Apr 07 2021 West Asia Standard Time

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This vacancy is archived.

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