UNICEF recruits 01 Statistics & Monitoring Specialist

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

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

And we never give up.

For every child, results.

The role of data in achieving results for children is explicitly recognized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Strategic Plan 2018−2021. All UNICEF country offices are investing in quality data work to support evidence-based policy and programming and child-rights monitoring.  To further strengthen UNICEF’s efforts in data for children, especially towards reporting/monitoring the countries’ progress towards SDGs, the UNICEF Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO) has established a Regional Data Framework and Plan of Action (Data Framework). The Data Framework aims to steer the data work of 21 country offices in the region and of ESARO as a collective endeavour in an aligned, coordinated manner, where required technical support and collaboration are drawn from all three levels of the organization, at the country, the region and the HQ levels.  Temporary Appointment of one-year is sought to ensure seamless implementation of the Data Framework and to provide overall technical assistance to the 21 countries in the region on data for children.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Regional Chief of Programmme Planning and Monitoring, ESARO, the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist will be responsible for (i) region-wide roll-out of the Regional Data Framework and Plan of Action; (ii) technical assistance to country offices on all issues concerning data; (iii) contributing to strategic planning and monitoring processes, and (iv) strengthening regional data partnerships.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following areas of work and related duties:

Roll-out and implementation of the Regional Data Framework and Plan of Action

• Establish operational strategies to implement the Regional Data Framework and Plan of Action (Data Framework), in the country offices and in ESARO.
• In collaboration with UNICEF New York headquarters (NYHQ), prepare and disseminate methods and tools to support the country offices’ capacity to implement the Data Framework.
• Establish a system of monitoring the progress made against the Data Framework, and prepare periodic reports for senior management.

Technical assistance to country office (as part of Data Framework implementation)   

• Provide technical assistance to the country offices in monitoring the progress towards child-related SDG indicators, including on collaborating with national statistical offices to establish SDG indicator/ monitoring frameworks and long-term statistical planning.
• Provide technical assistance to the country offices on the geration of data, such as MICS and other household surveys and censuses, and on the compilation, analysis, and dissemination of robust data from household surveys and other sources.
• Coordinate and facilitate the technical assistance, capacity building and quality assurance for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) programme in the region, under close guidance of UNICEF NYHQ and in expertly managing the work of MICS consultants.
• Provide technical assistance and/or training on child-related SDG indicators monitoring, including advice on estimation methodologies and data sources, and organization of regional workshops and other training activities on measurement, data processing, analysis and use of data, in close collaboration with the NYHQ.

Contribution to strategic planning and monitoring

• Contribute to the country offices’ formulation of Situation Analysis, Programme Strategy Notes,  Country Programme Documents (CPD), in terms of the approprirate use of up-to-date impact and outcome level data that inform the situation of children and women in the country.

• Participate in Regional Evidence Committee of the ESARO to shape its strategic discourse relating to data, evaluation, researach and knolwedge management.

• Coordinate and quality assure ESARO’s design and implementation of multi-country statistical analysis of key priority areas and further analyse MICS and other relevant sources of data to strengthen evidence for child-rights monitoring and inform equity-focused actions.
• Contribute to the maintenance of UNICEF’s global databases for tracking the situation of women and children and SDG reporting.

Partnerships for data (as part of Data Framework implementation)

• Strengthen strategic collaboration with Statistics Division of the UN Economic Commission of Africa and with the African Union.
• Support and facilitate sub-regional collaboration among National Statistical Offices (NSOs) to advance the SDG monitoring and national statistical capacity building.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in in social sciences, demography, statistics, development or related field(s).
• A minimum of eight years of professional work experience in development programming, especially including statistics, data collection and analysis, planning monitoring and evaluation.
• Previous knowledge and experience in data analysis and dissemination, supporting national M&E systems, and use of quantitative/qualitative/mixed methods is highly desirable.
• Familiarity of working with national statistical systems is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current discourse on SDGs and child rights monitoring.
• Familiarity with the range of development issues addressed by UNICEF in the Eastern and Southern Africa region is necessary. Prior work experience in the region is a distinct advantage.
• Excellent written and oral command of the English language is crucial.  Knowledge of other official languages used across the Eastern and Southern Africa region, including French and Portuguese, would be an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are Formulation Strategies and Concepts, Analyzing, Applying Technical Expertise, Planning and Organization, Networking.

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.