Terms of Reference (TOR) Individual Contract (IC) Health Expert

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference (TOR) Individual Contract (IC) Health Expert A. Project Title: Arab Development Portal () B. Project Description The Arab Development Portal () is an initiative of the Coordination Group of Arab National Regional Development Institutions (CG) to create a knowledge platform that promotes timely high quality knowledge on development issues in the Arab World. The primary objective of the is to improve the scope, depth, reliability, availability use of high quality information to support development progress in the Arab World. As such, the faces a number of challenges in positioning itself as a dem-driven high quality knowledge platform that addresses the needs of a wide range of end-users in a sustainable manner. In October 2010 the Heads of the CG requested the UNDP World Bank to jointly develop content, functionality connectivity aspects of the in a prototype form. Phase One of the project was launched in May 2013 the UNDP World Bank teams successfully collaborated to develop a prototype of five thematic pages; namely (i) Job Creation/Employment; (ii) Trade Integration (iii) Private Sector Development; (iv) Macroeconomy; (v) Banking & Finance. Each thematic template identified development challenges, current policy /or investment priority areas; each country template focused on growth development pillars. The developed content included an introductory overview, sub-thematic briefs, relevant publications data, additional resources including toolkits, lessons learned, blogs, events. Additionally, the developed prototype included two country pages: namely (i) Egypt (ii) Tunisia. Phase One proved insightful in designing a project that would actively overcome the perceived challenges; whether in terms of sustaining content development or creating knowledge differentiation. During Phase One, a number of challenges came into the picture. One of the main challenges is how to make of a dem-driven high quality knowledge platform that addresses the needs of a wide range of end-users. Given the outcome of Phase One the highlighted challenges, a new agreement was signed between OFID the UNDP on 15 April Under the new cost-sharing agreement, Phase Two was launched UNDP lead the full development of the (content, functionality connectivity) across 11 thematic clusters; namely (i) education (knowledge for development); (ii) gender; (iii) energy; (iv) water food security; (v) poverty; (vi) demography while covering all twenty-two Arab countries. As a result taking into consideration feedback received from members of the CG in December 2013 March 2014 three end-users consultation meetings held in , UNDP finalized the development of a first of its kind dynamic, bi-lingual online knowledge platform that is home to a unique dynamic database a rich depository of resources that offers advanced tools for data browsing, extraction visualization. On April 25, 2016, the was officially launched in Amman, Jordan. A one-stop-shop, the Portal today offers a dynamic multi-source database that is home to 2,750 unique indicators, with the majority extracted from websites of National Statistical Offices of Arab states. Continuous consultations with strategic end-users a thorough assessment by the members of the CG

2 in paved the way for the emergence of Phase Three Beyond. In June 2015, it was agreed by the CG members that a three-year period by UNDP would currently be the most feasible for Phase III. Within the scope of Phase Three, the will maintain the scope of work identified in Phase Two in terms of consolidation of statistical content production of brief analytical content to provide an overview of the different themes or of countries. Maintaining the timeliness of the current database the large repository of indicators is manageable given the organizational structure the systematic flow of work adopted by UNDP in the past couple of years. To ensure the quality of its database reduce the cost of maintaining the timeliness of the database, Phase Three will exp its current activities on three levels: using more advanced technologies for updating its database that enables SDMX sharing, strengthening the relationship with NSOs for data harmonization data sharing, introducing new visualization export tools to improve the user experience. In 2016, UNDP will create a special module for data sharing using SDMX technology, the newest tool, sponsored by the major UN international agencies, used for data metadata sharing that overcomes the differences in database architectures adopted by various producers of data. Besides, a total of six additional thematic pages will be added by 2018 new topics introduced under the existing themes. With the adoption of the United Nations of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), introducing changes to the database visualization tools to allow users to track SDGs is key would give the an additional competitive edge. C. Scope of Work The UNDP is looking to recruit a Health Expert to lead the development of s database content on health. Based on international datasets, the Health Expert will develop the health database template for the health thematic page, identify the respective international sources of the listed indicators the hierarchy of indicators sub-indicators in alignment with the stards provide a detailed documentation of the update process. The Health Expert should identify the resources (publications, learning tools, etc.) to populate the thematic page. Additionally, the expert will guide the development of the health section of country pages; using national official sources by reviewing the country-specific statistical tables compiled by research assistants. Following an identification of the health-related SDG indicators proposed within the framework of the 2013 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Health Expert will undergo a tracking exercise pinpointing the data availability of these indicators at the international level. The Health Expert will work with the Advisor to develop the thematic health-related country pages. The development of the health thematic template will be critical in designing the database management system the data entry web tool. The Health Expert should also respond to comments of peer reviews collaborate with the web editor. D. Expected Outputs Deliverables Deliverables/ Outputs 1) Health statistical tables (2000- Estimated Duration to Complete 4 th week from contract signing Target Due Dates Outline by July 15, Complete draft by 29 July Review Approvals Required (Indicate designation of person who will review output confirm acceptance)

3 present) for the thematic page final version by 5 August 2016 (listing main indicators, suggested Arabic translation, sources used, metadata, frequency of update, data series for the 22 Arab countries, etc.) These tables should be aligned with the stards. Any calculations /or formulas used should be clearly presented. 2) Overview brief ( words) on health in the Arab Draft by 5 August final brief by 9 August 2016 region the main issues under this theme. 3) Review 22 country statistical tables (2000-present) 6 th week from contract signing Draft template by 1 August final by 22 August 2016 prepared by team using data extracted from the NSOs other national sources.

4 Country statistical tables should closely follow thematic outline. 4) Identify healthrelated SDG indicators track Draft template by 22 August final by 29 August 2016 their data availability at the international level. 5) Identify 20 recent publications (published after Draft by 29 July final by 22 August ) for each identified subtopic; (in Ar or En) 6) Additional Resources: - Identify 10 best Draft by 29 July final by 22 August 2016 online sources of learning; - Identify 10 best current networks of relevant practitioners communities of practice, preferably with vibrant online presence that strike a balance between national/local

5 international sources. - Identify 10 best news event information sources that strike a balance between national/local international sources. 7) Write 3-5 short blog articles (300 words) 12 September 2016 on energy issues 8) Final manual documenting process of updating Draft by 19 September 2016 final by end- October 2016 the health database addressing methodological differences across datasets E. Institutional Arrangement The Health Expert will regularly report to the. The Expert is expected to liase collaborate in the course of performing the work with the Advisor research analysts. The UNDP team will provide research statistical assistance when needed, but the Expert should guide the research assistants. F. Duration of the Work The duration of the assignment is expected to last for 40 working days throughout the four months (July

6 2016 October 2016). If the Health Expert expects delay in the completion of the work, he/she should notify UNDP management in a duly manner. At all levels, the Health Expert should communicate to the UNDP whether he/she needs further assistance from the UNDP team. Throughout the duration of this assignment, the UNDP team will provide feedback no later than 7 working days from the date of submission. G. Duty Station The contractor is home-based is not expected to be present at office. Part of the assignment may require travel to attend different meetings. In such cases, all related travel accommodation expenses will be arranged covered by UNDP in line with applicable rules regulations. H. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor I. Education Minimum MSc degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Population Health or Environmental Sciences, Ph.D preferable II. Work Experience At least 5 years of professional experience in research academic positions Experience working with UN organizations Knowledge of statistical packages like SPSS, STATA R is an asset III. Key Competencies Published at least 5 articles in academic journals /or research papers with international or regional organizations IV. Language Requirements Fluency in written spoken Arabic English is required. I. Scope of Price Proposal Schedule of Payments All proposals must be expressed in a lump sum amount. This amount must be all-inclusive. Please note that the contract price will be fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. As per section G, all travels related to project implementation with prior approval will be covered by UNDP as per applicable rules regulations. The contractor will be paid an all-inclusive fixed lump sum amount over the assignment period. The fixed lump sum amount will be paid in two installments: 50% will be paid upon submission of deliverable 3 the remaining 50% will be paid upon timely submission of deliverable 8 (in line with the schedule of payment table hereunder:

7 Phases Estimated due date Payment Following the successful delivery of output 3 Following the successful delivery of output 8 6 th week from contract signature date (Draft template by 1 August final by 22 August 2016) Within 15 calendar days after satisfactory delivery of output 8 (Draft by 19 September 2016 final by end-october 2016) 50% of the total contract The remaining 50% of the total amount