Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Job: Consultant on Research Methodology Review and Data Quality Control for the Assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process at United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Company

Location: JobParser.Models.Location

Category:

Type: Full Time

Deadline: 14-Dec-17 18:00:00

Salary:

Description

Background and Context:
Since 2010, the Government of Armenia has embarked on the reform of integrated social services (ISS) in the country, which focuses on the provision of social services to the most vulnerable families and groups of the population by applying strategies of transformative social work, local social planning, and cooperation among services, as well as strengthening of the autonomy, self-reliance and coping capacities of the population served. The "one window" model provides for cash (such as pensions, family benefits, maternity benefits, disability allowances and others) and non-cash benefits. This approach assumes the placement of different service providers (responsible for pensions, social assistance, employment and disability certification) in one location and their coordinated efforts in serving beneficiaries both families and individuals. Introduction of the institute of case management and the position of the case manager responsible for identifying the needs of the most vulnerable families and children and mobilizing all available resources to respond to those needs is another major innovation under this approach. Informational integration and structural-functional integration are also emphasized as key aspects of the reform. Local social planning is another important attribute of this new model since it allows identification, mapping and use of all relevant resources at community and regional level to address beneficiary needs identified through case management. As of 2017, there are 18 Integrated Social Centers (ISCs) throughout the country with an idea of expanding the network up to 56 such Centers in the future.

However, significant challenges remain in the overall ISS reform process. Firstly, there are issues with the systemic capacity development and quality of case management work. A lot of change is required of professionals who have been involved in the state provided social services before the initiation of the reform and whose prior work experience has not prepared them to undertake new work styles, to implement new tools and approaches. Thus it is important to continuously monitor performance and beneficiary awareness and satisfaction with the established services. Access to information and databases, as well as the lack of genuine integration of various social databases, is another limiting factor for effective performance of case management functions, as well as delivery of quality social assistance and support.

The availability and quality of services at the local level is another challenge in the execution of effective case management and rendering of adequate social protection. This is often tied to funding, if the services are to be financed from the community budgets (such as community social projects), but also to appropriate standards and capacities of various service providers. Moreover, institutional inter-agency cooperation is a precondition for effective social services reform and addressing the multiple and inter-linked vulnerabilities of families and children. Despite the development of the legal and policy framework in this regard, the actual application of cooperation modalities is rather slow, not developed as a practice and often based on personal rather than professional institutional relations.

Acknowledging the limitations, but also to move forward, the government plans to continue the ISS reform as prescribed in its 2017-2022 Government Programme. UNICEF in Armenia and the World Bank have been active supporters of the ISS reform process. More specifically, UNICEF in Armenia and the Government of Armenia have identified the reform of Integrated Social Services as a key intervention area in the 2016-2020 Country Programme Action Plan, particularly in regards to increasing the coverage of vulnerable families and children by social protection interventions.

Taking into consideration the future expansion plans of the network of Integrated Social Centres (ISCs) across the country, it is important to take stock of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of already undertaken interventions under the reform. Within this context, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) with UNICEF support has planned to conduct an assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process in the period of November 2017 - May 2018. The overall goal is to assess the ISS legal and policy context, quality of services provided (both focusing on internal cooperation and external beneficiary satisfaction and adequacy of support), efficiency of financial allocations and effectiveness of ISCs, as well as provide recommendations for the improvement and further course of the reform. The assessment will focus on 6 ISCs and 6 Territorial Offices of Social Services to ensure comparability and identification of key success and constraining factors. In this assessment a mixed method approach will be applied by combining qualitative and quantitative components to ensure complementary strengths and non-overlapping weaknesses. Quantitative methods will include the conduct of a survey among the target beneficiaries of the social centers. Document review, in-depth qualitative interviews, key expert interviews and focus group discussions will be conducted with implementing governmental partners, community authorities, case-managers, staff of ISCs, etc.

The methodology, samples and tools for the assessment will be designed by a Joint Working Group established by MoLSA and UNICEF. This participatory approach comes to ensure that those who can use the results of the assessment are involved during the planning and implementation stages of the assessment and answer questions needed for decision-making. However, taking into consideration that the assessment would be led by MoLSA, there is a need also to involve an independent external consultant to support with methodology design and quality assurance activities, as well as in formulating the results and recommendations. For the purpose of a well-balanced combination of internal and external evaluators, UNICEF in Armenia is looking for a qualified and dedicated Research Methodology Review and Data Quality Control Consultant to support the overall quality function of the Assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process to be conducted by MoLSA of RA.

Overall purpose of the assignment:
The Consultant on Research Methodology Review and Data Quality Control for the Assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process (hereinafter Consultant) is to contribute to the accuracy, impartiality and academic relevance of the design, implementation, coordination and quality control of the Assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process (the Assessment).

The Consultant is to ensure that the assessment is designed and implemented in strict compliance with the ethical guidelines, standards and norms as set out by United Nations (UN) Evaluation Group and that MoLSA and UNICEF in Armenia have useful, valid and reliable information from the Assessment, with special focus on reflecting children's needs in the Assessment.

In addition, the specific objectives of the Consultant in line with the Assessment are:
- To assist in the development of the methodology, samples, data collection tools of the Assessment with special attention to the interest, concern and participation of government, community and other stakeholders, including UNICEF in Armenia, assuring appropriateness and relevance of approaches, compliance with UNEG assessment standards and norms;
- To assist in elaboration of the Pre-Test and Training materials for the Assessment and to observe the data collection team trainings and other staff meetings, providing professional expertise and overview;
- To support the Assessment implementing team in collecting and delivering valid and reliable information through on-going quality control of the fieldwork, data-entry and storing;
- To assist in the elaboration of a precise data analytical approach and reporting scheme with objective and impartial conclusions and recommendations generated.

Supervisor:
The Consultant will be supervised and report to UNICEF Armenia Social Protection Officer with regular briefings with the UNICEF Armenia Deputy Representative about the progress of the consultancy.

Procedures and Logistics:
All travel expenses whenever the Consultant will be required to travel within Armenia should be covered by the Consultant. UNICEF in Armenian does not provide travel expenses, or arrange health insurance coverage for the consultant.

The Consultant will work closely with the staff of UNICEF, MoLSA, partners and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities
- Participate in all activities and meetings of the Working Group established by MoLSA providing support to the experts in regards to the management and implementation of the Assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process in close collaboration with the UNICEF Armenia, institutions conducting the work, government partners and other relevant stakeholders (December 2017 - May 2018);
- Provide expertise and professional validation of Methodology, Sample Design and Data Collection Tools, elaborated by implementing agency for the Assessment and assuring appropriateness and relevance of approaches, compliance with UNEG assessment standards and norms (December 2017 – January 2018);
- Review the Training Materials and Guidelines elaborated for Data collection teams, as well as to participate and oversee the pre-test and training sessions for Data Collection Staff and other working teams (February 2018);
- Conduct regular on-going field visits through the whole data collection process to oversee the quality of work of FG moderators, qualitative and quantitative interviewers: at least 2 FGs, 4 KII in each marz should be observed, as well 10% of randomly selected work of survey interviewers should be observed on place, with comments elaborated and a de-brief organized for the data collection teams, fieldwork coordinators and experts, if required (March 2018 - April 2018);
- Provide substantive inputs to the conduct of quality check of collected data and information, reviewing produced transcripts and progress reports, notifying UNICEF’s responsible Officers on the needed adjustments/course of action (April 2018 - May 2018);
- Ensure coherence through logical and computer checks of the databases by means of scripting of the data and control of data-entry procedures through random comparison of hard-copies with the database (April 2018 - May 2018);
- Review data analytical scheme, report structure and the findings to fit impartiality and other professional norms and standards set out by UNEG (May 2018);
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned relating to the Assessment (December 2017 - May 2018).

DELIVERABLES:
- Submit a short narrative report (up to 5 pages) on the progress of validation of Methodology, Sample and Data Collection Design, including comments/ revisions elaborated (January 2018);
- Submit a short narrative report (up to 5 pages) on the progress and results of Fieldwork Quality Control (including number of checks and outcomes) and Debriefs for the Teams (March 2018 -April 2018);
- Submit a short narrative report (up to 5 pages) on the progress and results of Data Entry (including number of back-checks) and Database Quality Control (May 2018).

RequiredQualifications
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree or higher) in Sociology, Demography, Social Sciences or a related field;
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience and proven record in designing, implementing and/ or leading research and evaluation projects/ programs;
- Professional technical knowledge/ expertize in sociology, demography, statistics and data management;
- Past experience on working in research methodology design, quantitative/ qualitative/ mixed methods of data collection, validity/ reliability testing of data, data analysis and interpretation, statistical inference methods, fieldwork and database quality control;
- Good analytical skills and demonstrated knowledge of report writing;
- Good negotiating and communication skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural teams;
- Demonstrated awareness on gender equality, human rights and equity principles;
- Excellent computer management skills, including knowledge of SPSS;
- Fluency in written and spoken Armenian and English languages.

Benefits

Job URL: iJob.am - Consultant on Research Methodology Review and Data Quality Control for the Assessment of Integrated Social Services Implementation Process @ United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

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