TERMS OF REFERENCE

Statistics Consultant (SSA), Child Disability
Data and Analytics Section, Division of Data, Research and Policy

1.Background

Over the last several years, UNICEF and its partners have undertaken many new activities to address the need for comparable and reliable data on children with disabilities.

New survey module on child functioning and disability

UNICEF and the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG) have developed a survey module on child functioning and disability for use in surveys and censuses. The module reflects current thinking around disability and can produce internationally comparable data. The module covers children between 2 and 17 years of age, and assesses activity limitations in the domains of speech and language, hearing, vision, learning, mobility and motor skills, and emotions. The module has been presented, discussed, and revised at several expert consultations since 2011, involving representatives of Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs), academic institutions, international organizations, and national statistical offices. The module has undergone extensive cognitive testing to determine the quality of the questions being asked and ascertain the cultural understanding by the respondents. The module has been tested in India, the USA, Belize, Oman, and Montenegro (see video available here Field testing has taken place in Cameroun, India, Italy, Haiti and Samoa, and is planned to take place in one more country in early 2015. UNICEF and the WG are also working on the development of a manual to support implementation of the module. The module and manual are expected to be ready for actual data collection and use by countries at the end of 2015.

Guidelines on the measurement of child disability

This document will provide guidance for those considering collecting data on children with disabilities. The guidelines discuss conceptual and theoretical issues related to measuring disability in children and review methods and tools that have previously been used to collect data in this area. Considerations for designing, planning, and implementing a child disability data collection effort are presented. The guidelines are currently being drafted with inputs from 40 international experts. They are expected to be finalized in early 2016.

New survey module on school environment and participation

UNICEF and the Washington Group are developing a new survey module to measure the school environment and children’s participation in education. The module will measure the barriers and facilitators to education by children with/without disabilities. This module will complement the module on child functioning and disability. Together, they will provide a comprehensive measurement of disability - assessing activity limitations, as well as children’s interactions within their environment. The module will cover: attitudes, accessibility, getting to school, and affordability. Once finalized, the module will undergo cognitive testing and field testing. It is expected to be ready for actual data collection and use by countries in late 2016.

Regional workshops on the measurement of child disability

UNICEF and the Washington Group intend to develop training material and to conduct workshops on the measurement of child disability. The training material is intended to be used in technical workshops as well as for individual learning. The workshops are meant to take place in all 7 UNICEF regions (Latin America and the Caribbean, West and Central Africa, East and Southern Africa, Middle East and North Africa, CEE/CIS, East Asia and the Pacific, and South Asia). The purpose of the workshops will be to build/strengthen local capacity for data collection. Training will be provided to National Statistics Offices, other Government staff, and local researchers, on concepts, models and measures of disability, survey design, data processing, data analysis, data dissemination, and data use. The workshops are expected to take place in 2015 and 2016. UNICEF and the Washington Group also intend to establish a mechanism of technical assistance for countries that want to implement the module on child functioning and disability, as well as the module on school participation, including technical assistance during the design of the questionnaire and methodology, training of interviewers, supervision of fieldwork, and support for the analysis and presentation of the data.

Data repository on child disability

Finally, UNICEF has complied data on disability from more than 600 sources and plans to develop a web-based databases that will document the methods used to collect data on child disability.

2. Purpose of Assignment

To assist the Statistics Specialist for Child Disability with the activities described above, including the development of data collection tools, organization and facilitation of expert consultationsand workshops, and preparation of training and dissemination materials related to child disability.

3. Major tasks to be accomplished

Under the direct supervision of the Statistics Specialist for Child Disability, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

1)Maintain and update the existing global database on child disability with any new surveys, censuses etc. with data on the prevalence of child disability and prepare a web-based electronic database of data sources on child disability for inclusion in UNICEF website for statistics.

2)Assist with ongoing work being conducted in collaboration with the WG, which includes:

-Supportthe development of the new survey modules

-Review and provide inputs and feedback on the instruction manual for the new WG/UNICEF modules on disability

-Support and contribute to the planning and preparation necessary for cognitive and field testing of the two modules

-Prepare materials to be used for dissemination including PowerPoints, briefing notes, key fact sheets, website updates, meeting reports

-Assist with the planning, coordination and preparation of various events and meetings as they arise

3)Assist with the development of UNICEF manual on the production of statistics on children with disability, which includes:

-Support the review of the draft document

-Provide background documentation and conducting literature reviews for inclusion in the manual and draft necessary missing pieces

-Prepare and draft materials to be used for dissemination including PowerPoints, briefing notes, key fact sheets, website updates, meeting reports

-Assist with the planning, coordination and preparation of various events and meetings as they arise

4)Assist with the organization and delivery of UNICEF regional workshops on the measurement of child disability, including preparation of training material, logistics and facilitation of training session

4. Duration

This will be a full-time contract for a period of 6 months initially, with the possibility of extension. The expected start date is 12 October2015.

5. Duty Station

The consultant will be based in New York for the entire duration of the assignment and will be provided office space in UNICEF HQ.

6. Qualifications and specialized knowledge, experience and skills required

  • Education: University Master’s Degree or higher in statistics, demography or social sciences
  • Five to seven years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the Mid-level in monitoring/research, with a focus on child disability
  • Previous experience in delivering training/lectures, with a focus on child disability
  • Previous experience in compiling and analyzing country-level data, with a focus on child disability
  • Proven experience in report writing to disseminate key data and findings to non-technical audiences, particularly related to child disability
  • Excellent command of English required;working knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset
  • Analytical, methodical and precise style of writing
  • Ability to work in an international environment and under tight deadlines

How to Apply

Applicants are requested to send their submissions to with subject line: “Statistics Consultant, Child Disability” by 30 September 2015, 5:00pm EST.

Applications must include:

  • Cover letter,
  • CV, and
  • P-11 form (
  • Indicate where you heard about this advertisement

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Please note that the selected consultant will not receive additional funds to cover living expenses while in New York and is required to have insurance for the duration of the contract as this is not provided by UNICEF.

UNICEF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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