Data Analyst - Evaluation of UNICEF Emergency Supply Response

Background

UNICEF Supply Division is commissioning an external performance evaluation of its Emergency Supply and Logistics Response. Supply and logistics plays a critical role in emergency preparedness and response by providing life-saving, essential commodities for girls, boys and women. In 2013, emergency supplies worth $126.81 million were procured globally in 34 countries and areas. UNICEF Supply Division (SD) responded to 533 emergency orders. Since the 2007 UNICEF Supply Function Evaluation, there has been no independent assessment of UNICEF’s supply emergency response. While there have been several evaluations of specific emergency responses, no evaluations focused primarily on supply and logistics. Given UNICEF’s accountability in emergency situations, an independent evaluation is timely and will help the organization demonstrate the extent to which SD has adequately addressed the findings and recommendations of the evaluation, and whether SD’s efforts, alongside its strategy and tools developed, are adequate for appropriate, effective, and efficient responses.

The evaluation will document the emergency supply systems and capacity, and assess UNICEF performance in supplying the right goods (quality and quantity) to the right place at the right time and price. The evaluation will review the complete supply cycle, including preparedness (forecasting), to emergency requests, to delivery to port of entry, and will also look at adequacy of the Emergency Supply List.

The evaluation will serve two main purposes. First, the performance evaluation will inform the refinement of the Emergency Supply Strategy within SD. Secondly, the findings will feed into Martigny 3, an organization-wide consultation and self-reflection on the way-forward for UNICEF’s action in the humanitarian context.

While the focus is on UNICEF Supply Division, a holistic examination of the institutional effectiveness of emergency preparedness and response should be considered as part of the scope. This will necessitate taking a systems approach to analysis. This will be complemented by multiple desk-based case studies, targeting a purposive sample of countries.

A full Terms of Reference for the Performance Evaluation has been developed separately by Supply Division.

Purpose of Consultancy

A three-person team will be undertaking the evaluation, composed of: (1) Senior-Level Evaluation Team Leader; (1) Senior-Level Supply and Logistics Specialist; (1) Data Analyst.

The team is required to ensure that the evaluation meets its four main objectives:

1. Take stock of past improvements since the 2007 Supply Function Evaluation, map systems, processes, capabilities in place in the supply chain as it pertains to emergency response;
2. Assess past performance of emergency preparedness and response, particularly examining effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of Supply Division’s support to humanitarian action;
3. Provide recommendations for Supply Division to strengthen current investments and systems in emergency and give guidance to revising its strategy; and,
4. Distill generalizable lessons learned that can be used in for future emergencies and influence direction for UNICEF’s engagement in humanitarian action.

The Data Analyst will provide data analysis of supply-related monitoring data, support in conducting systematic desk reviews and other analyses, and, assisting the team with any other back office assistance.

The consultancy is expected to be home based and to perform duties outside of the UNICEF Supply Division office however, there will likely be requirements to visit the offices in Copenhagen, Denmark on a needs-basis.

Duration & Timeline

The evaluation is set to begin in early June with final completion in mid September (an estimated 40-60 days of work). Timelines and number of working days will be agreed and finalized prior to start of contract.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the stewardship of the Evaluation Team Leader, the Data Analyst is responsible for supporting the timely for delivery of the following evaluation products:

• Inception Report (maximum 15 pages): informed by an initial scoping mission, will outline the selected evaluation team’s understanding of the evaluation and expectations, along with a concrete action plan for undertaking the evaluation. Specifically, the report will cover the following areas:

• specific methods and data sources to answer each evaluation question and to assess attribution/contribution of results to UNICEF’s emergency supply and logistics planning and response, including an evaluation matrix and performance metrics;
• draft timeline of major changes/developments to SD’s strategy, major decisions, actions, etc.;
• mapping of the emergency supply chain and related data points for analysis;
• any proposed modifications to the evaluation questions;
• a more thorough internal and external stakeholder analysis;
• validation of country case study selection;
• further thoughts on any other areas (e.g., risks, country case study selection, and so on);
• detailed Workplan and timeline; and,
• outline for draft report

• Data Collection Toolkit: A comprehensive Data Collection Toolkit that translates all of the methods agreed in the Inception report into specific data collection (and analysis) instruments;

• A Preliminary Findings Report (maximum 10 pages): This report will give guidance on some of the initial findings emerging from the data collection and analysis; it will also be used to feed into the Martingy 3 meetings occurring in the third week of August;

• A Draft Report (maximum 40 pages): clearly articulating key findings, conclusions, lessons learned and recommendations for concrete action for Supply Division; and an Executive Summary of no more than 5 pages;

• A second Draft Report that incorporates the first comments from the Evaluation Specialist and Evaluation Reference Group, alongside a response matrix detailing how each comment was handled in the revising of the draft report;

• A Final Report that incorporates final comments from the Evaluation Specialist and Evaluation Reference Group, and;

• A presentation of the major findings and recommendations of the evaluation in Copenhagen, delivered in person and by webinar.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Advanced university degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Statistics, Social Studies, Economics, other related field.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience and proven expertise in development and/or humanitarian sector in monitoring, data analysis, research and/or evaluation.
• Strong quantitative (advanced Excel) and qualitative research skills. Ability to undertake back-office analyses (e.g. desk review, analysis of monitoring data, and so on).
• Knowledge of SAP, particularly MM.
• Knowledge of the current literature on humanitarian action and/or supply chain processes. Familiarity with UNICEF programmes in emergency contexts preferred.
• Ability to work independently and achieve quality results with limited supervision.
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills.
• Excellent command in written and spoken English.

How to apply:

All interested consultants should send an application packet including the following:

• Updated CV/Resume, and;
• A sample evaluation report (or writing of a similar nature), with clear indication of the applicant’s contribution in the report.

The application packet should be transmitted via email to dangsrecruit@unicef.org by 4 May 2014, 11:59 pm CET. Email Subject: Data Analyst, SD Evaluation of Emergency Supply and Logistics.Late submissions, incomplete packets, or submissions with an incorrect email subject heading will not be considered.

UNICEF considers best value for money as a criteria for evaluating potential candidates. As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Additional DSA and travel expenses will be provided as applicable to the project.