International Consultant: Senior Data System Policy Adviser for the UN Data Group

The Position:

The UN system in Malawi is leading an effort to strengthen the Data systems in the country as one of the nationally identified as one of priority areas that will help Malawi embark on its road to achieve transformational visions by 2063.

Strengthening capacity of the data systems and promoting the use of data has clearly been included in the UNSCDF (2018-2023) of Malawi.  Need for a better data system and use of data is also fully acknowledged by the Government of Malawi and it is part of the E-government strategy as well as the National Statistical System Strategic Plan.  

 

The demand for statistical data has been growing among stakeholders in Malawi.  While Malawi produces in general good quality data some challenges remain, especially in terms of creating interoperability between the data systems. There is a need to integrate existing data systems to communicate with each other, which can be a far more cost effective and sustainable way to continue to improve the data systems in the country. 

 

Most UN agencies present in the country have been invested in the data system strengthening over years through key line ministries and institutions such as the National Identification by UNDP, Birth Registration by UNICEF, Death Registration by WHO and the Census data by UNFPA.  However, each system operates independently from the collection of data to its dissemination. If the systems are integrated as per the strategic vision of the government, less investment will be required to collect data, more accurate data will be produced in real time, and more citizens will be able to find data easily in one platform. 

 

Considering the need for a proactive approach by the UN, the UNCT decided to revamp the data sub-group in 2020 in order to define a set of clearly defined feasible data system priorities and joint-response (joint programming and/or programme) to effectively respond to the needs defined by the government.  UNDP and UNFPA have been leading the group from the revision of the TOR and membership requirement from the beginning.  The group has finalized its work plan for 2021 and key activities are clearly defined. At the same time, it was agreed with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development to form a task force team to closely work together in the areas of data systems with a clear focus on building interoperability between the systems. 

Even though 5 members of the task force team (TFT) member from the UN data sub-group will work with the counterpart of the government under the leadership of the EPND, there is a need for an expert to support and facilitate the implementation of the work plan because all UN members need to do their daily jobs.  Frequent communication, documentation, coordination and progress monitoring will require substantial time and efforts while most of the TFT members may not be able to allocate sufficient time to complete each task.  Having an expert who can fully dedicate to the process management together with technical support will prevent any significant delay and will be able to compile information and report to the data sub-group where trouble-shooting will be discussed.   Also, the expert will technically assist the TFT members from the government, especially the counterparts in the EPND thus both sides, UN and the government, of the TFT will be able to achieve all key milestones like the national mapping of the data system, a national data summit etc as per the plan agreed by the two parties.

The adviser is also expected to support the UN data group as well as the counterpart in the government to organize a series of policy discussion to identify gaps in the legal and policy frameworks and make concrete recommendations for legal / policy revision that will enable the data architecture in Malawi to be modernised and to meet demand by a wide range of data consumers.

Key Deliverables:

• Support the UN Data Group task team to develop  a data sharing protocol and common repository to promote sharing of programmatic and operations data and information.
• Facilitate the development of a standard mapping template to compile information in detail on ongoing and planned data initiatives across UN agencies.
• Support the data group to build partnerships with key partners like NSO, UNECA, key ministries, academia and private sectors and strengthening of partnerships based on the analysis of policy and legal frameworks focussing on prioritized policy issues.
• Support the data group in the organising of an inclusive Data Summit for Malawi.
• Leading the creation of a template to consolidate data stories from existing projects and programmes that support the data systems of the MDAs.
• Support the UN Data group and GoM responsible for the planning and implementation of the project tracking platform for Evidence on Education Resources (STEER).
• Facilitating assessment of the feasibility of the establishment of an online monitoring system for MGDS III, SDGs, Vision 2063 by analysing available systems and make recommendations. 

Duration of  and Location of the Consultancy:

• The consultancy is for a period of 8 months (5th May 2021- 31^st December 2021).
• With a maximum number of days at 15 days per month for the period of 8 months.
• Home-based and Malawi (in country mission ).

Delivery Dates and How Work Will Be Delivered:

 

A monthly progress report covering:

• A template for the data mapping
• Report on the data mapping ( findings & recommendation)
• TOR of the National Data Summit
• Organization of the Data Summit
• A joint strategy/plan for the data architecture of Malawi focusing on interoperability and integrated investment.

Expected Travel:

• 3- time in-country mission ( min) is expected.

Qualifications and Experience:

 

The Consultant will be under the supervisory role of the Representative while the P&D office will provide day to day guidance.  

 

Education: 

• Minimum a master's degree in Population studies, Statistics, Engineering Science, or other relevant discipline is required;

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in Census implementation, National Statistical system, Data analysis, Software development in Africa region.
• Experience in development of programme development including proposal writing and in donor reporting of UN projects.
• Experience in providing technical expertise to the national statistics institutions on census, survey and other relevant statistics activities.
• Hands on experience and technical knowledge on national data architecture including CRVS, from data collection to data dissemination, within the national government.
• Experience in providing strategic technical advice to the national government officers at high level.
• Experience in working with the UN system.
• Proven track record in project management.
• Proven track record in coordination of a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to perform within tight deadlines.
• Exceptional communication skill in English (written and oral).

Languages:

• Excellent writing and oral skills in English and Chichewa.
• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Required Competencies:

 

Core Competencies:

• Initiative, sound judgment, strong interest in development work, especially the mission of the United Nations Population Fund and dedication to the principles of the United Nations.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to provide analytical inputs to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to make the analysis of requirements and parameters provided in support of CPD Development processes in the CO.
• Strong IT skills.
• Ability to implement new systems (business side) and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

• Excellent planning, organising and writing skills.
• Strong management skills, particularly to provide strategic direction and technical supervision.
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent coordination and negotiation skills.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client.
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Responds positively to critical feedback.
• Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behaviour.

How to Apply:  

 

Candidates who have the required/relevant qualifications and experience should submit their applications with the following documentation:

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Motivational letter
• UN Personal History Form (P-11) with a copy of qualifications
• Email all application documents to:  recruitment.malawi@unfpa.org 
• Please specify in the email subject ‘Consultant- Senior Data System Policy Adviser’. 
• Applications should be received on or before 28^th April 2021.