Job Opportunity for Statistics and Monitoring Specialist at UNICEF in New Delhi

For Every Child, AN ADVOCATE…

Evidence based on robust data is at the heart of UNICEF’s work in India and critical to achieving UNICEF’s equity strategy. With the dynamic economic and political changes in India, the evidence function within UNICEF is becoming more important. Over the past few years, UNICEF’s evidence function has grown substantially in response to increased expectations from Government and other partners, who increasingly look to UNICEF as the knowledge leader on issues related to children. To provide sufficient technical and managerial support across all the programmatic sectors UNICEF works in, we are looking for a Statistics and Monitoring Specialist as part of the newly created Evidence Unit in UNICEF India. Under the leadership of the Chief Evidence (Data, Research and Evaluation) (P-4), the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist will provide technical and managerial support for effective monitoring and use of statistics and data.

How can you make a difference?

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children in the world’s thereby ensuring a better future for every child, this is the chance to make a difference.

Under the supervision of Chief-Evidence, the Statistics and Monitoring Specialist will provide technical and advisory support to programme sections, field offices and partners (including government) to strengthen data systems (sample surveys as well as routine programme monitoring data) and innovative methods for equity focused real time situation analysis and will guide and sharpen UNICEF’s Country Programme. The Statistics and Monitoring Specialist will support improving data policies including identifying and advocating to plug critical data gaps for children in India. This position also acts as a focal point for coordinating ICO’s reporting to global UNICEF databases relating to SDG monitoring and reporting, and other multi-country databases like maternal and child mortality, nutrition, hunger index, SDG index etc

Key Functions, Accountabilities And Related Duties/Tasks

Situation Monitoring and Assessment:

A dynamic multi-sectoral situation monitoring and assessment owned by all key partners is in place, through which the Country Office and national partners have timely and accurate measurements of change in conditions of children, women, and their families in the country this information is available to facilitate planning and measure programme impact.

In coordination with other stakeholders, support the development of plan and determine the broad contours of the dynamic situation analysis ( to be updated at regular intervals) with new data and evidences to improve planning and facilitate course correction and align with CCA
Develop a collectively agreed situation Assessment owned by all key partners and which supports the preparation of level equity focused statistical and analytic reports on the status of children’s and women’s rights issues, which will influence planning and implementation of Government and UNICEF programmes, and policy fine-tuning.
Support partners in the integration and management of national statistical databases of the national programmes, ensuring that key indicators are readily accessible to UNICEF and stakeholders. Potential users include the Situation Analysis, Common Country Assessment, and RAM reporting and Annual review etc.
In humanitarian response situations, provide professional support for quick and possible near real-time data collection and data analysis in conjunction with other UN agencies and/or independently if necessary, working in close collaboration with the humanitarian clusters partners.

Planning and Strategy:

The India country Office including the field offices have a well-prioritised and realistic plan for bridging critical data gaps for children, which should be aligned to UNICEF’s evidence strategy and programme monitoring plans, to include strategic information needed to manage the Country Programme and its reporting on RAM etc.

Undertake national and state specific data gaps / data needs assessment at national and state level, along with sector specialists and partners to devise plans for bridging data gaps, including gaps in SDG monitoring ( with focus on child centric goals and targets) , prioritizing UNICEF’s data and evidence requirement, the short and long term;
Developing and implementing a proper advocacy strategy along with sector M&E focal points to incorporate the data demand in the various data producer’s agenda and incorporated plan in the annual / RWP at Delhi and Field Offices with proper milestone and targets, so as to accomplish the requirement in timely and robust manner.
Support the Management for Results team in the development of a country programme monitoring plan, by identification of RBM based performance indicators, support development of results matrix and its monitoring framework in the context of the multi-year and annual RAM reporting.

Improving data systems for effective monitoring of national state programmes:

Key data initiatives on children and women, including SDG monitoring and reporting, by the National Statistics Office and by other data producing Ministries like MoHFW, WCD, M/o HRD of the Government at national level are effectively coordinated and technical assistance provided in a timely manner.

Strengthen data-ecosystem by providing technical support, with programme colleagues, to national and state level programme related MISs, including validation and triangulation through concurrent monitoring, and ensuring they are responsive to data requirement at all levels including at panchayat or GP level
Provide technical support to national and state stakeholders in strengthening monitoring of SDGs, including disaggregated data, supporting NSO and NITI Aayog in improving national SDG indicators aligned to the global framework
Support in piloting different methodological solutions to plug critical data gaps, including: piloting and advocating for innovative statistical methods to produce indicator values at state and district level and at lower geographies like small Area Estimation; designing rapid assessments (near real-time) or community-based monitoring to assess effective coverage of national / programme amongst the marginalized population, including humanitarian responses through innovative methods.
Coordinate with Government and other partners to ensure that MIS /monitoring systems are properly designed that can provide equity focused disaggregated data for the most vulnerable population, and that data collection are done from the lowest level of service delivery, as per the right standard metadata globally accepted.
Support and advocate for the development of national data quality assurance policies and protocols for data collection, especially related to children.

M&E Capacity Building:

The monitoring and data capacities, including equity-focused data analysis capacities, of the technical staff at national, field offices and partners including government and civil society is enhanced to meet the expectations and requirements of their positions and responsibilities and aligned to improving evidence-based programming.

In close collaboration with partners, promote the awareness and understanding of programme monitoring, statistical tools and methods, survey methodology, sampling method, research methods and data analysis based on both secondary and primary data, among internal staff members and partners through communication, training, learning and development activities.
Collaborate with ROSA and UNICEF HQ and other UN agencies to plan and implement capacity-building strategies so that the staff have the basic and advanced knowledge of statistical methods, monitoring methodologies, tools and motivation to use the knowledge and skills to improve the data-ecosystem of the country.
Actively seek and establish data partnerships with reputed national and international institutions for the identification of data capacity gaps, development of strategies to address them and impart training in a holistic manner.

External databases and its coordination:

Data for UNICEF multi-country databases and other non-UNICEF databases on e.g. child mortality, nutrition, HDR etc. is coordinated and supplied in a timely manner, with key national stakeholders.

In collaboration with sectors and other partners, support updating of global UNICEF and other international databases in a timely manner
Develop a strong coordination mechanism between the country office and the external stakeholders, like other UN Agencies, ROSA, UNICEF HQ, World Bank, Concerned Ministries and departments for bridging the data gaps, with standards, metadata, ethics, and quality as per the evidence strategy of the India country office.

Networking with other UNICEF and UN Agencies:

The UNICEF Country office is linked to a wider UNICEF and UN M&E network to contribute to enhanced knowledge on research, data and monitoring and benefits from organizational learning are enhanced. The enhanced knowledge facilitates UNSDCF monitoring.

Collaborate with ROSA, Regional Advisors, Planning, Statistic and Monitoring Specialist, ROSA, HQ Data Division, Office of Research-Innocenti and other M&E officers in the different UN Agencies for overall coordination on innovative research, monitoring, data strengthening.
Provide support to UNSDCF monitoring through UNDP/ UNCT to ensure that current and accurate evidence are included in the UNSDG monitoring system, regional reports, multi-country studies, and knowledge-sharing networks.

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

Education:  Advanced university degree in social sciences, statistics, development studies, population studies, demography, planning or relevant field.

Experience:

A minimum of Five years of relevant professional work experience in programme development and managing monitoring, research and evaluation activities. Hands-on Experience in field work including planning and conducting large-scale surveys required.
Knowledge of the national and global data systems including official statistical system is essential and the various programme related data bases, its challenges.
At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning will be an asset. Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme will be an asset.

Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of verbal Hindi is strongly preferred. Proficiency in another UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF Core Competencies Skill required for this post are…

Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
Innovates and embraces changes (1)
Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
Thinks and acts strategically (1)
Works collaboratively with others (1)
To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Remarks:  

This position is based in New Delhi (India). The vacancy is open to Indian Nationals only.
Selected applicant will have an initial two (2) year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process including application, interview, meeting, traveling, processing, training etc. 
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. Our workplace policies promote flexible work arrangements, to support all staff in maintaining a healthy life balance, both in and out of the office.
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.

Advertised: 01 Jul 2022 India Standard Time
Deadline: 14 Jul 2022 India Standard Time