Consultancy: Learning and Skills Data Analyst Consultant - Req.#581598

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, HOPE! Vacancy Announcement: Consultant Consultancy Title: Learning and Skills Data Analyst Consultant Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (D&A education DAPM), NYHQ  Duration: June 2025 to July 31, 2026 Home/ Office Based: REMOTE About UNICEF  If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries. BACKGROUND Purpose of Activity/Assignment:   The overarching aim of this consultancy is to work with foundational learning data from past and forthcoming Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS). Since 2016, the foundational learning module has been administered in over 50 countries and territories, and about 20 surveys are expected to collect this data next year. The consultant will work with both historical and upcoming data to maintain the database, update code in Stata and R, and manage the GitHub repository. In addition, the consultant will use microdata to support three analytical and knowledge products based on key research questions, which requires familiarity with building dashboards using Shiny in R or creating innovative data visualizations. Lastly, the consultant will support the Learning and Skills Data Lab, focusing on harmonization efforts and maintaining the database in preparation for the lab. Scope of Work  The Consultant will perform the following tasks: 1. Maintain the Database for Foundational Learning Calculated using MICS: o Database Management & Estimation Production: •   Facilitate the maintenance and updating of the foundational learning database • Produce regular estimates using R and ensure that all code and outputs are maintained in a GitHub repository for transparency and reproducibility o Quality Assurance: • Verify and validate the estimates against SFR  • Develop and implement a reproducibility workflow, including routine checks and documentation of any discrepancies or updates 2. Support Three Analytical and Knowledge Products Using These Data: o Econometric Analysis: • Conduct comprehensive econometric analyses using the maintained database to extract policy-relevant insights and trends • Prepare detailed analytical reports, presentations, or policy briefs that support decision-making and further research o Collaboration & Dissemination: • Work closely with internal teams and stakeholders to ensure that the analytical outputs meet the needs of the knowledge products • Participate in review sessions to refine analyses and incorporate feedback 3. Support the Harmonization Work for the Learning and Skills Data Lab: o Data Integration & Harmonization: • Collaborate with teams working on different assessments to gather, clean, and standardize diverse datasets • Produce a unified repository of estimates derived from various assessments, ensuring consistency across methodologies o Documentation & Methodology: • Document the harmonization process and methodologies used to create the repository • Provide a comprehensive guide to support future updates and scalability of the data lab o Visualizations and dashboards: •   Support with interactive visualizations and dashboards for the foundational learning data and harmonized data Terms of Reference / Specific Deliverables  Develop and implement a reproducible workflow with routine checks and documentation of any discrepancies or updates - Reproducible R code on GitHub 20th June 2025 Maintain the Database for Foundational Learning Calculated using MICS • Oversee the maintenance and updating of the foundational learning database • Produce regular estimates using R, ensuring that all code and outputs are maintained in a GitHub repository for transparency and reproducibility • Verify and validate the estimates against SFR - 10 country codes on GitHub with foundational learning data harmonized - One database with updated estimates 30th Sept 2025 30th Mar 2026 Three Analytical products using FLS/FLM2.0 data - 3 knowledge/analytical products (blogs, briefs or dashboards) 30th Aug 2025  30th Jan 2025 Dather, clean, and standardize PASEC, MICS and PAL (Ican and icare) dataset - Harmonized database 1 and 2 30th Nov  30th May Produce a unified repository of estimates derived from various assessments, ensuring consistency across methodologies - One database of estimates across assessments - One data workflow description - One mapping of assessments against the Global proficiency framework 30th July Qualifications (1) Education • Advance university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social sciences, computer science, database management, public policy, psycometrics or any related field . Language Proficiency:  • Fluency in English is required. Working proficiency of another official UN language is highly desirable. (2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:  • 3 to 5 years of experience working with data and/or supporting governments use data required.  • 1. Advanced Data Analytic Proficiency: - Demonstrable expertise in data analysis with a strong command of statistical software, with an emphasis on R programming skills as a significant asset. The candidate must be adept at utilizing these tools for complex data manipulation, analysis, and visualization to support decision-making processes. Skills/familiarity with Stata and/or SPSS is an advantage.  • 2. Reproducible Research Techniques: •    - Proficiency in using GitHub for version control, with a proven track record of developing and maintaining reproducible codes. This skill is critical for ensuring transparency, consistency, and collaborative potential in all analytical work. • 3. Sector-Specific Experience with MICS and other household survey data: - In-depth knowledge and practical experience in handling, interpreting, and analyzing education data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) household survey program. This experience is crucial for generating actionable insights from large datasets. Experience with producing educational estimates from DHS and other household surveys is an advantage. • 4. Project Management in Education Data: - A history of effectively managing education data projects, demonstrating a capacity to oversee complex tasks from inception through to completion while maintaining high standards and meeting deadlines. • 5. Collaborative Work with Educational Authorities: - A background in working collaboratively with Ministries of Education, aiding in data project delivery. This includes providing technical support, facilitating capacity-building initiatives, and ensuring that data projects align with educational policies and goals. • 6. Delivery of Donor-Specific Outputs: - Experience in creating and delivering high-quality donor products, such as reports and presentations, that align with donor requirements and effectively communicate the outcomes of education data analysis. Requirements:  Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and  - Upload copy of academic credentials  - Financial proposal that will include/ reflect : o the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference. o travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.  o Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable. o Indicate your availability  - Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF. - At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage. - Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.  U.S. Visa information: With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.   Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process  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. View our competency framework at: Here UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.  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:   Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.  The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.