Consultancy for the Scale-Up of the ESAR Data Readiness Initiative, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office at UNICEF

• This concept proposed for the Regional Office to provide technical support for a set of 8 country level pilots (Mozambique, South Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Madagascar, Ethiopia and Kenya) to enhance data readiness and increase use of innovative data tools such as a platform with simple ways to add and update data. Data readiness initiative supports use cases, collaboration in the selection and representation of common datasets for preparedness (such as geospatial data, risks, scenarios, preparedness actions as well as response plans) among the participating COs in ESAR.
• As part of the scale-up, UNICEF proposes support in Northern Ethiopia (L2) response with data readiness approach, scale-up of use cases in El Nino flood/drought responses and enrolling of 4 additional ESAR COs as agreed during the June 2023 meeting held in Nairobi.

Deliverables

• Analysis and planning on the transition of DRIP datasets to GeoSight and provide technical recommendations on the adoption of the Geosight platform including configuration of the layers to be as follow: Country information (boundaries, population, infrastructure and services), Situation of Children (Risks, CCDRM, PIN/CIN, surveys e.g MICS, SMART etc ), Operations (UNICEF sector/cluster targets, partnerships, supplies, funding, support facilities/services etc) and Monitoring (HPM, regular programme including field monitoring).
• Support the transition of data for 8 COs from DRIP platform to GeoSight
• Support HQ team on system integration by reviewing data sources for the current datasets to establish automation with GeoSight. This will include clearly defining datasets that will be implemented in GeoSight with data sources, system integration and agreement with sectors in countries
• Support the training/capacity building of focal points in 8 COs with established DRIP platforms to upload/update their own data and other basic backend updates i.e duplicate indicators and set out thresholds for variables
• Conduct preliminary engagements with additional four countries (South Africa, Uganda, Angola and Namibia), focusing on data review to establish the key use cases/data gaps, existing datasets and entry points for collaboration with governments.

Desired Competencies, Technical Background And Experience

• Education: Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Information Management, Computer Science, ICT, Geography, Data Science, Public Health, Epidemiology, or another relevant field.
• Experience:
  • At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in all aspects of geographical information management in humanitarian programming including setting up ArGIS/QGIS data systems. Developing country work experience (for IP).
  • Extensive programmatic/operational experience designing, implementing and managing geographical information systems in emergencies and humanitarian contexts is required, with preference given to experience in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Clearly demonstrated ability to conceptualize complex humanitarian-development issues and produce high quality technical documents, analytical materials and/or guidelines is preferred.
  • Proven ability to communicate and work in a multi-cultural environment and provide remote organizational support is desired.
  • Familiarity with UNICEF’s programmes in emergency contexts is preferred, with priority given to candidates experienced in setting and managing information systems in the UN
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of a second UN and/or local working language of the duty station an asset. Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:
• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Administrative Issues

• Consultancy location: home-based
• Schedule for progress meetings throughout the contract duration: monthly virtually unless consultant is in Nairobi on another engagement
• The consultant is expected to be home-based with potential travel: up to 2 trips to Nairobi over 28 days for which the UNICEF office would cover subsistence allowances and travel costs. All travels will be by most economical fare and reimbursement will be as per UNICEF policy.
• As the consultancy will be partially office-based, 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.
• 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.

Deadline: 30 Oct 2023