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Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Household surveys are a critical source of data for monitoring Viet Nam’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including indicators related to children, women, adolescents, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, migrants and other vulnerable population groups. Key national household surveys, including the Viet Nam Household Living Standards Survey (VHLSS), the Labour Force Survey (LFS), and the Population and Family Planning Survey (PFP), generate important information for national planning, SDG reporting and evidence-based policymaking.

However, the ability to compile SDG indicators with the full range of required disaggregation depends on whether questionnaires collect sufficiently standardized, comprehensive and internationally comparable information. In particular, information is needed to enable disaggregation by age, sex, disability status, geographic location, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and other relevant characteristics, while ensuring alignment with international statistical standards and recommendations.

UNICEF, in collaboration with the National Statistics Office (NSO) of Viet Nam, will recruit a national consultant to support the review and standardization of selected household survey questionnaires. The assignment will contribute to improving the relevance, comparability and usability of national household survey instruments for SDG monitoring, with a particular focus on indicators related to children, women and vulnerable groups. The consultant will work under the supervision of UNICEF and in close collaboration with NSO technical departments and, where relevant, other national stakeholders.

Scope of work:

Under the supervision of UNICEF and in close collaboration with the NSO of Viet Nam, the national consultant will undertake the following activities for VHLSS, LFS and PFP:

A. Desk review and mapping of survey questionnaires against SDG data requirements

- The consultant will review the latest available questionnaires and related documentation for selected household surveys, including VHLSS, LFS, and PFP. The review will assess the extent to which existing questionnaires collect information required for compiling SDG indicators, with attention to child-related, gender-related and vulnerability-related indicators. The consultant will map questionnaire modules, questions, response categories and skip patterns against relevant SDG indicator metadata and international statistical recommendations.

Specific tasks include:

Compile and review available questionnaires, manuals, interviewer instructions, codebooks and survey documentation for selected household surveys.
Identify SDG indicators that rely on household survey data and are relevant to children, women, adolescents and vulnerable groups.
Map existing questionnaire items against SDG indicator data requirements and required disaggregation dimensions.
Identify gaps, duplication, inconsistencies and areas where question wording, response categories or reference periods may affect comparability.
Review whether the surveys collect sufficient information for disaggregation by age, sex, disability status, ethnicity, location, socioeconomic status and other relevant dimensions.

B. Technical review of questionnaire design and disaggregation variables

- The consultant will assess the adequacy of existing questionnaire design, with a focus on completeness, standardization, international comparability and feasibility of implementation in national household surveys. The review will consider whether the selected surveys include appropriate individual-level, household-level and contextual variables needed for SDG monitoring and equity analysis.

Specific tasks include:

Assess whether relevant questionnaire modules are aligned with international statistical standards and recommendations, including SDG metadata guidance where applicable.
Review age, sex and household roster variables to ensure that child, adolescent, women-specific and household composition analyses can be conducted.
Review disability-related questions, where included, against internationally recommended approaches.
Assess whether survey instruments adequately capture information on vulnerable population groups, including ethnic minorities, migrants, persons with disabilities, poor households and other relevant groups.
Identify opportunities to harmonize core background variables across selected household surveys.
Provide technical recommendations on questionnaire wording, response categories, reference periods, skip patterns and coding structures.

C. Development of standardized questionnaire recommendations

- The consultant will support the development of practical recommendations to improve the standardization of selected household survey questionnaires. Recommendations should be feasible for integration into existing national survey systems and should consider respondent burden, fieldwork practicality, data quality and comparability over time.

Specific tasks include:

Propose revisions to selected questionnaire modules and questions to address identified gaps.
Develop a recommended set of core disaggregation variables to be consistently collected across selected household surveys.
Provide suggested wording and response categories for priority questions, where needed.
Identify questionnaire items that should be harmonized across VHLSS, LFS, and PFP.
Prepare a matrix showing existing questions, identified gaps, recommended revisions and rationale.
Support NSO in reviewing the feasibility, implications and opportunities of proposed revisions.

D. Consultation and technical coordination support

- The consultant will support UNICEF and NSO in organizing technical consultations with relevant NSO departments and other stakeholders as appropriate. The consultant will prepare materials, document feedback and revise technical recommendations based on consultation outcomes.

Specific tasks include:

Prepare presentation materials and discussion notes for technical meetings.
Support consultations with NSO technical departments responsible for selected surveys.
Document comments, decisions and follow-up actions from technical discussions.
Revise the questionnaire review matrix and technical recommendations based on feedback.
Support consensus-building on priority questionnaire improvements and standardization measures.

E. Documentation and reporting

- The consultant will prepare clear documentation of the methodology, findings, recommendations and final proposed questionnaire improvements. The consultant will ensure that outputs are practical, well-structured and suitable for UNICEF and NSO use in future survey planning and questionnaire revision processes.

Specific tasks include:

Prepare technical notes, summary tables and annexes for the assignment.
Document methodology used for questionnaire mapping and review.
Prepare the draft and final technical report.
Maintain an organized repository of reviewed questionnaires, mapping files and consultation materials.
Ensure final deliverables are submitted in editable formats agreed with UNICEF.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete TOR here: TOR Integration of SDG MICS indicators into national surveys.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:

Master’s degree in Statistics, Demography, Population Studies, Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, Development Studies, Survey Methodology, Social Sciences, Data Science or other relevant fields.

Work Experience:

+ At least 10 years of professional experience in survey methodology, household survey design, questionnaire development, SDG monitoring, official statistics, demographic and social statistics, or related fields.

+ Demonstrated experience reviewing or developing household survey questionnaires, survey manuals, indicator metadata, tabulation plans or statistical reporting frameworks.

+ Good understanding of national household surveys in Viet Nam, preferably including VHLSS, LFS, Population and Family Planning Survey, MICS, Population and Housing Census, or other major household surveys.

+ Experience with SDG indicators, indicator metadata and disaggregation requirements is required.

+ Experience working with national statistical offices, government agencies, UN agencies, development partners, research institutions or academic institutions is an asset.

+ Experience in gender, child rights, social inclusion, poverty, labour, population, health, education or vulnerability analysis is desirable.

+ Experience facilitating technical consultations or preparing technical documentation for government partners is an advantage.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

+ Strong knowledge of household survey design, questionnaire structure, skip patterns, response categories and survey documentation.

+ Good understanding of SDG monitoring and data disaggregation requirements, particularly for children, women and vulnerable population groups.

+ Familiarity with international statistical standards and recommendations relevant to household surveys, demographic and social statistics, labour statistics, poverty measurement, gender statistics, disability statistics and population statistics.

+ Strong analytical and writing skills, including ability to prepare clear technical notes, matrices and reports.

+ Ability to review detailed survey instruments and translate technical findings into practical recommendations.

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.

+ Knowledge of statistical software such as Stata, SPSS, R or Python is an advantage.

+ Ability to work collaboratively with government counterparts, UNICEF staff and technical experts.

Language Requirements:

+ Fluency in Vietnamese.

+ Good written and spoken English.

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical Evaluation Criteria (75 points):

Education: Master’s degree in Statistics, Demography, Population Studies, Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, Development Studies, Survey Methodology, Social Sciences, Data Science or other relevant fields. (10 points)

Experience as per TOR: 35 points

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills as per TOR: 20 points

Language: Fluency in Vietnamese and good written and spoken English. (10 points)

Qualifying score in technical evaluation is 55 out of 70 points.

Technical proposal requirement:

a. A technical proposal which clearly explains the outline on how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (preferably less than 10 pages);

b. Samples of similar products.

Financial evaluation (25 points):

- The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 55 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

- The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview if needed.

Submission of applications:

a. Updated CV/Resume;

b. 03 references including at least one from a past supervisor;

c. Technical proposal which clearly explains how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (less than 10 pages).

d. Samples of similar products.

e. Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including consultancy fee and any other relevant costs for this assignment. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Individual National Consultant to Support the Review and Standardization of Questionnaires to Strengthen SDG Indicator Compilation and Disaggregation, Viet Nam