Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: Mozambique
Closing date: 22 Feb 2017
To strengthen the quality and positive impact of the research and evidence base underpinning programming, advocacy and policy efforts; To generate solid analysis of multidimensional child poverty (monetary and multiple deprivation) in order to make the position of children in national poverty discussions transparent and relevant. To strengthen the national statistical systems to collect, analyse and disseminate high quality data on the situation of children to support adequate planning and investment, enhancing the link between UNICEF research and results for children. To enhance national and local capacity to generate quality social and economic data analysis for the identification of pockets of inequities - data which can then be used to advocate for clear and coherent pro-poor redistributive interventions through improved planning and investment for children. To ensure effective processes and accountability for ethical oversight of research, evaluation and data collection and analysis processes, and to ensure the protection of, and respect for, children's rights within all UNICEF research undertaken and/or commissioned from conception through to dissemination To work within the UN country team to support UNCT goals for delivering valid and reliable information on the attainment of the SDGs and other goals, and on the performance of UN-supported programmes via solid research and evaluation To assist in the development of national capacities for monitoring, evaluation and research, with special attention to the interest, concern and participation of government, community, and civil society stakeholders. To support and advise UNICEF staff in the Country Office in the design, creation and use of solid evidence for the design and implementation of policies, strategies, programmes and systems in the area of Child Rights Provide technical assistance for planning the major research, monitoring and evaluation objectives, priorities, and activities in UNICEF's multi-year and annual IMEP. Manage and update the Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (IMEP) in collaboration with sector colleagues. Support sections in the implementation of the research and evaluation plan, providing direct support in the design and oversight of all different research projects. Technically support programme partners to formulate Terms of Reference for research and evaluation designs of high quality, when relevant drawing on the know-how of knowledge institutions, in compliance with the organization's programme evaluation policies and guidelines. Support the management of major office research and evaluations: engaging competent evaluators that conduct their work with due attention to UNEG evaluation standards; implementing quality control procedures; overseeing the preparation of an appropriate management response to evaluation recommendations; monitoring action to implement agreed recommendations; uploading completed evaluations to the Global Evaluation Database and management responses in the global tracking system; and making appropriate arrangements to maximize the use of evaluation results. Manage the development of knowledge products that meet expectations set out in UNICEF Policies and Guidelines on relevance, quality, ethical standards, accessibility, prioritization and resourcing, communication of research and evaluation findings. Strengthen the office and national capacity to assess impact with solid and advanced research methods, including both qualitative and quantitative methodologies including RCT, impact assessment, longitudinal studies etc Support the implementation and quality control of Office Standard Operating Procedures on Research and Evaluation in all its components; support the implementation of the Regional Research Strategy and Action Plan (RSSAP) and the SOPs for Research in ESA, which aim to strengthen the overall quality and use of research conducted in the Eastern and Southern Africa. Contribute towards identification of knowledge gaps/research needs at country level and assist in planning effective evaluations, assessments and studies on ground-breaking themes that have great potential for programme development.
Generate quality social and economic research, analyses and evaluation on multiple dimensions of child poverty and overlapping deprivations (monetary and nonmonetary) to inform economic, financial, and social policies and strategies for inclusive and equitable development of the country Systematically collect quantitative and qualitative data for the sound and up-to-date assessment of the situation of children and women to support result-based programming and policy decisions in the area of social policy, public finance and national planning, social protection. Support the assessment of whether programs or local and national plans and budget target inequalities and are able to increase social inclusion of the most deprived children Generate a solid body of updated and reliable evidence to inform government, civil society and citizen at local and decentralized level, promoting the assessment of Children's situation analysis at provincial level, promoting and advocating the use of data and children rights assessment to inform planning and budgeting process Develop information systems for monitoring child rights indicators, with emphasis on community and child participation Ensuring that children are effectively engaged in research and evaluations undertaken by the office and partners, promoting meaningful and ethical participation. Within the wider Government-UN collaboration, develop a solid research and evaluation plan related to the SDGs Supervise collaboration with the national statistics system and ensuring effective collaboration, and strengthened data quality at the national level.
Ensure effective processes and accountability for ethical oversight of research, evaluation and data collection and analysis, and ensure the protection of, and respect for, children's rights within all UNICEF research undertaken and/or commissioned from conception through to dissemination. Based on advanced experience on research ethics, provide technical assistance to national and institutional ethics review boards in the area of child rights research ethics, and strengthen the national, local and institutional research ethics capacity. Support the chair of the UNICEF office research committee in the ethical revision of office research and evaluation protocols Provide detailed and solid technical assistance in the area of research ethics to large national surveys and research, providing specific ethical assessments of questionnaires and protocols. Support the definition of clear research quality assurance standards including: clear quality assurance mechanisms; prioritization of research processes; reviewing research mechanisms; development of appropriate research capacity; dissemination, advocacy and tracking the impact of research Strengthen the research and evaluation function both internally and with partners to assess the impact of programmatic and policy interventions, and their contribution to the promotion of social inclusion Work to ensure that Child rights and socio and economic research and evaluation capacities of UNICEF Country office staff and partners are continually strengthened through effective capacity development, enabling counterparts to progressively establish national systems for child rights research and joint or country- led evaluations Provide support for capacity building initiatives in monitoring and evaluation, for field offices and national counterparts (especially National Statistical offices, sectorial Ministries and Ministries of Economic Planning) through national and provincial training, human resource development and national networking. Actively seek partnerships with knowledge institutions for the identification of capacity gaps and development of strategies to address them In close collaboration with partners, ensure that an R&E capacity building strategy for UNICEF/UN staff national partners and institutions exists in the context of the IMEP, or UNDAF M&E plan. Pay particular attention so the capacity needs of national partners such as professional evaluation associations will be strengthened by involvement in evaluation processes and possibly through specific capacity building initiatives. Promote partnering with universities, and think tanks, and empowering of civil society organization to use data and research for advocacy. Support to strategic alliances with national partners involved in the generation use and dissemination of data and evidence, in particular with the Institute of National Statistics (INE), knowledge/academic institutions and national evaluation associations. Collaborate with Regional M&E Advisers, Office of Research and HQ Evaluation Office for overall coordination of priority research, monitoring and evaluation activities, especially those of regional scope requiring the coordinated effort of multiple countries. Ensuring the country office is up-to-date with the latest knowledge and innovation know-how in various programme areas so that efficiency of programming is optimized. Evidence about unequal ability to benefit from growth, and the consequent disparities both in the supply of services and in outcomes for women and children is translated into UNICEF advocacy to influence clear and coherent pro-poor redistributive interventions via public spending Enhanced national and provincial capacity to generate quality data on children contributes to identification of pockets of inequities and improved UNICEF and national planning and investment for children Solid evaluations support planning and decision-making provide a basis for informed advocacy — aimed at promoting the well-being of all children, everywhere Strong and committed research ethical oversight ensure the protection of, and respect for, human and child rights within all research, evaluation and data collection processes undertaken or commissioned by UNICEF. Anadvanced university degree (Master's or higher) in social sciences, statistics, demography, economics, development or related fields. A minimum of eight years of relevant professional work experience in the area of social policy research such as child and multidimensional poverty, social inclusion, inequalities, public finance, national and local planning, and social protection. Professional work experience in applied research or programme development and implementation including program evaluation and impact assessment. Solid and proven experience on research ethics, in ethical revision of large surveys and research, IRB procedures and management. Experience in engaging children in research and evaluation. Experience in managing impact evaluation, using methods such as RCT and longitudinal studies. Field experience in engaging policy maker on the generation of evidence based policies. Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Fluency in Portuguese is highly desirable. Commitment Diversity and inclusion Integrity Communication- Level II Working with People- Level II Drive for Results- Level II Leading and Supervising - Level II Formulating Strategies and Concepts - Level II Analyzing- Level III Learning and Researching- Level III Applying Technical Expertise - Level II Planning and Organizing - Level III
How to apply:
Country: Mozambique
Closing date: 22 Feb 2017
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. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, 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.
Purpose of the Position
Under the overall guidance of the Sr. Social Policy Specialist who acts as head of research and evaluation, the incumbent will ensure that UNICEF Country Office generates quality social and economic research, analyses and evaluation on multiple dimensions of child poverty and deprivations to inform UNICEF programming, economic, financial, and social policies and strategies for inclusive and equitable development of the country.
Detailed purposes of the job are:
Key Functions, Accountabilities, Duties and Tasks
1. Evaluation & Research Planning, Management and Generation
2. Social Policy Research, Data Collection and Analysis
3. Research Ethics and Research Quality Control
4. Research and Evaluation Capacity Building
Impact of Results
Qualificationsof a SuccessfulCandidate
Competencies
Core Values
Core competencies
Functional Competencies
To view our competency framework, please clickhere.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=502588