Current vacancies

Stretch Assignment: Data and Statistics Specialist, Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) /Kampala, Uganda

Title: Data and Statistics Specialist
Level: NOC/P3 (we encourage staff from all levels with the relevant experience to apply)
Reports to: Chief Programme Monitoring & Evaluation
Duration: 4 months
Section: Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (PME)
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Dates/Duration: Stretch assignment from 20 December 2024 until 18 April 2025.
Eligibility: All Fixed-Term, Permanent or continuing appointment UNICEF staff members currently working in UNICEF worldwide.

Background

Against the overall background of the Data and Statistics Portfolio for Uganda (described above), there are many ongoing processes in the data landscape in Uganda and UCO that merit immediate support:

• The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2022 was delayed; and launched in only in February 2024. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) is working to produce three thematic reports from the UDHS 2022 (i.e. youth and adolescent, Water quality and ECD thematic reports).
• Data collection for Uganda National Household Survey 2023/24 was completed and UBOS is finalizing the analysis of data, including monetary child poverty. 
• The population and Housing Census 2024 took place in May 2024 and UBOS is finalizing data analysis, including multidimensional child poverty and child census report.
• Uganda is about to engage on Uganda Functional Difficulties Survey building on the population and housing census data and using the Washington group disability questionnaires.
• There are many administrative data systems in Uganda at various levels of maturity - including the Health Management Information System (HMIS) which is functioning well and the Education Management Information System (EMIS) whose revamping is ongoing.

Towards these, the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation team at the Uganda Country office (UCO), is offering a stretch assignment for a Data and Statistics Specialist at the P3/NOC, for four months. Based in Kampala, the Stretch Assignment will focus on the following key deliverables: 

Purpose of the Position

Under the supervision of Chief Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation; and in close working relationship with UNICEF CO Programme teams, the Data and Statistics Specialist will support the Uganda CO in:

1. Strengthening National Data and Statistical Ecosystems for Children 
2.  Enhancing Data Analytics and Use for Programming and Policy
3. Capacity Strengthening for UCO teams on Data for Children:
4. Fostering Strategic Partnerships for Data and Statistics for Children

Duration
This stretch assignment will be for a period of four (4) months.

Key expected results

Strengthening National Data and Statistical Ecosystems for Children

• Liaise with the National Statistical Office (UBOS) and other partners working on Disabilities to ensure the processes for the Functional Difficulties Survey is completed.
• Support UBOS draft and finalise the Child Census Report 2024
• Influence Uganda/UBOS’s Survey Calendar, to ensure Child Rights indicators are reflected in the questionnaires.
• Lead UNICEF’s engagement with UBOS on the ongoing estimation of monetary and multi-dimensional child poverty.
• Feedback on the UN IGME estimates, and underlying data used to generate the same is verified with the National Statistics Office or other responsible agencies.

Enhancing Data Analytics and Use for Programming and Policy

• Analytical synopsis on recent estimates and trends for at least of the 17 of the Child Rights SDG indicators.
• Geo-sight and other data visualization tools are adopted for both humanitarian and development monitoring.

Fostering Strategic Partnerships for Data and Statistics for Children

• UNICEF is effectively represented at the UN SDG Technical Working group, towards the implementation of UN Joint Programme.
• UNICEF’s contribution to the GoU-UN joint programme on Data and Statistics is periodically updated and timely.
• UNICEF is represented in key National Statistical system Data Activities, with the intent to position UNICEF as the partner of choice for Data for Children.

Capacity Strengthening for UCO teams on Data for Children:

• UNICEF Uganda’s Data for Children Technical Note/Strategy is drafted and widely consulted with Section teams.
• UCO Data and Statistics Technical Working Group is functional.

Minimum Qualifications and Competencies

• An advanced university degree (Masters) in statistics, data science, demography, or a related field that includes strong quantitative training and experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience at the national/international levels in data analysis, data science, data harnessing, measurement, methodological development, and other areas of applied statistics, data interpretation, and use in sectors of concern to UNICEF.
• Proven skills in data analysis, data presentation, and information management.
• Experience in data visualizations and tools including GIS and PowerBi is an asset.
• Proven experience or participation in design, coordination, and implementation of national social development surveys, such as MICS or DHS and management of national social data banks.
• Good analytical and evidence-synthesis skills with excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially in communicating complex information and concepts to non-specialist audiences.
• Fluency in English is required, knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Release Arrangements:

• If selected for this opportunity, the staff member will remain on their existing post and will be temporarily located to UNICEF Uganda CO, Kampala, for the duration of the stretch assignment. Upon completion of the stretch assignment, the staff member will return to their respective post. Thus, no changes will be made to staff member's existing status (post number, etc., remain as is).
• Once the selection process has been completed, the receiving and releasing offices will communicate to reach an agreement on the exact start date for the recommended staff member, funding arrangements, and whether part time/ remote work during selected periods are needed.
• This stretch assignment has a 6-month threshold, with possibility of extension. Once the selection process has been completed, the receiving and releasing offices will communicate to reach an agreement on the start date for the recommended staff member.

Funding Arrangements:

• The staff member selected for this stretch assignment will continue to receive their salary and emoluments during the assignment from their releasing country office.
• A 50 per cent DSA will be applicable during the entire assignment and a return economy airfare as per UNICEF’s travel policy as applicable.

How to apply:

• If interested, please discuss this assignment with your supervisor and obtain your supervisor's agreement for your application to be submitted, and any other necessary approvals required by your CO to be released on Stretch. The agreement of your supervisor, or as applicable, is a pre-requisite for any such stretch assignment.
• Upon receipt of supervisor's agreement, please send your complete application in TMS with the following attached:

1. Your up-to-date CV or P11 form
2. Your two most recent PERs
3. A cover letter detailing your interest, qualifications, and suitability.
4. An approval note/email from your supervisor, and or the equivalent approvals needed for your release as per the protocol of your country office.

• Only candidates considered potentially well matched for the stretch assignment may be contacted for an informal interview. Supervisors may also be contacted for references.