Consultancy for an Analysis of the Existing Data on Child Poverty through EU SILC... Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Montenegro

Summary : Consultancy for an Analysis of the Existing Data on Child Poverty through EU SILC Survey for the Period 2013-2017

Deadline : 16 Aug 2018

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 25595264

Document Ref. No. :

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND
Stanka Dragojevica bb, UN Eco House 81 000 Podgorica Tel: + 382 20 447 400 Fax: + 382 20 447 471
Montenegro
Email :podgorica@unicef.org
URL :http://www.unicef.org/

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for Consultancy for an Analysis of the Existing Data on Child Poverty through EU SILC Survey for the Period 2013-2017.

1. Background and Context

In March 2012, the Government of Montenegro adopted the new Law on Official Statistics and the Official Statistics System of Montenegro which defines the legal framework for production and dissemination of the official statistics, as well as the framework for organization of the official statistical system of Montenegro. The Law is fully aligned with the Regulation (EC) No 223/2009.

In January 2014, the Government of Montenegro adopted a Development Strategy of Statistics in Montenegro (2014-2018) which established strategic, sectoral and administrative objectives for achieving full compliance with the EU Methodology for calculation of statistical data and the European Statistics Code of Practice and gave the Statistical Office of Montenegro (MONSTAT) the key coordinating role for the development of the statistical system and producing of statistics.

In its negotiating position, Montenegro accepts the EU Acquis Communautaire under Chapter 18 as in force on 25 June 2013 and states that it will be ready to implement it from the day of accession. On 6 December 2014, Montenegro opened negotiations on Chapters 18.

The main findings of the Common negotiation position were that Montenegro needs sustained efforts to ensure that the acquis is implemented in its integrity upon accession. Current human resources required for the comprehensive implementation of the EU Acquis as well as for the Strategy for the Development of Official statistics 2014-18 need to be considerably strengthened. Focus is put on the need to substantially enhance MONSTAT-s capacities and that of the rest of the national statistical system. Development of the administrative capacity, statistical infrastructure and human and financial resources is considered by the EC a priority to deliver timely, reliable and accurate statistics in accordance with EU standards. In addition to these structural requirements, criteria for quality of the produced statistics have to be met. Priority areas for improvements in statistics are macroeconomic statistics and national accounts, agricultural and business statistics.

One of the key responsibilities of MONSTAT is to conduct the EU Statistics on Income and Living (EU-SILC) Survey[1]. From 2006 until 2013, the National Statistical Office published absolute poverty line according to the consumption method. Starting from 2013, it conducted the full-scale EU-SILC survey, as per the methodology of EUROSTAT. From then on, MONSTAT has been conducting EU SILC survey on an annual basis. The current EU SILC survey for the period 2013-2017 is being finalized and analysis is planned to be published by the end of 2018.

Although MONSTAT is conducting the EU SILC survey in compliance with the EU regulation, not enough of attention is given to child poverty data. The Child Poverty in Montenegro Report (2012)[2] reveals that over 14.000 children in Montenegro live in poverty. The same study suggested that families with children were most affected by the economic crisis, in particular children living in the northern region: almost one-quarter of children living in rural areas grew up in poverty; less than one-third of all the children in the country lived in the northern region (29.22%), but that included more than half of the children living in poverty (54.58%).

Children, especially those under the age of five years and living in the single-parent families, are particularly vulnerable and affected by poverty. Negative impacts of poverty on children are enormous and lead to the marginalization, social exclusion, undermined equity and contribute to the worse health, nutrition, education and general wellbeing of the children. In addition, poverty causes multiple deprivations in day-to-day life by reducing access to health care, education and cultural activities.

As Montenegro has no more recent data, there is an emerging need for measuring child poverty more carefully. Data which is being collected should be based on specific developed indicators, disaggregation of data in relation to age and gender should be possible, and data on children are to be included. Furthermore, collected data should be used for continuous monitoring of child poverty in Montenegro and development of related poverty reduction policies. Creating an environment in which all children-s potential to grow is achieved and they can contribute to economic and democratic development is a precondition for a more secure and better future for the country.

The Sustainable Development Goals also recognize that children are a priority in the fight against poverty, primarily through the elimination of poverty by 2030.



2. Purpose and Objective(s)

The purpose of this consultancy is to prepare a report on child poverty in Montenegro (0 to 17), by conducting an analysis of the existing data sets generated through the ongoing EU SILC survey for the period 2013-2017.

The objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Develop a methodology and define indicators for child poverty measurement (monetary and non-monetary) in Montenegro;

2. Conduct an analysis of the existing datasets on the child poverty in Montenegro, based on the EU-SILC survey which generated datasets of 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017;

3. Define the measures and workload for generating child poverty data from EU SILC on annual basis and sharing it with UNICEF;

4. Present the results of the conducted analysis.



1. Methodology and Technical Approach

The methodology and technical approach would involve the following components:

1. Designing of a methodology and indicators for conducting the analysis of the existing data, in order to better grasp child poverty: the rates, manifestations and causes (to the extent possible) In doing so, international and regional best practices on age disaggregation and consideration of the child-s life cycle should be adhered to, e.g. A World Free from Child Poverty: A Guide to the Tasks to Achieve the Vision and Guide on Poverty Measurement.

2. Conducting of the analysis of the existing data generated through EU SILC survey for the period 2013-2017, in order to shed more light on monetary and non-monetary aspects of child poverty.

3. Completing the analysis report, in a manner which will allow policy makers across a range of sectors to define poverty reduction measures and recommendations on data use.



4. Activities and Tasks:

1. Conduct a desk review of the relevant documents, develop methodology and define indicators for child poverty (monetary and non-monetary) measurement in Montenegro.

2. Conduct two visits to Montenegro. After the missions, the consultant is expected to provide a short report on the activities conducted during mission, with an overview of analyzed data and further steps. The report should be delivered to the National Statistical Office and UNICEF Country Office in Montenegro.

3. Conduct the analysis of the existing datasets, based on the EU-SILC survey, in order to better understand child poverty and social exclusion of children in Montenegro.

4. Deliver Final Report of the Analysis on child poverty, based on the EU SILC survey for the period 2013-2017. Final Report should include suggested measures for further data collection on child poverty and recommendations on data use.

5. Deliver a succinct PowerPoint presentation (or a similar, non-proprietary format, up to 20 slides) in order to present the main findings, in a manner which is accessible to non-technical audiences.

6. Present the results of the conducted analysis together with colleagues from the National Statistics Office.



5.Key Deliverables and Timeframe

§ Desk review of the relevant documents, existing datasets to be provided by MONSTAT, methodology development, definition of the indicators for child poverty (monetary and non-monetary) measurement in Montenegro and identification of key research questions, by September 5.

§ Two visits to Montenegro- first mission by September 15 and second mission by 15 October.

§ Mission Reports- for first mission by September 30 and for second mission by October 30.

§ Conduct the analysis of the existing data garnered through the EU-SILC survey in the period 2013-2017 and analysis of data, by November 10.

§ Deliver Final Report on the Analysis on Child Poverty (responding to key research questions), and a succinct PowerPoint presentation of main findings (up to 20 slides) based on the data from EU SILC survey for the period 2013-2017, by November 20.



The consultancy assignment should be conducted from September 5 to December 10, 2018 and should require up to 18 consultancy days, including eight days for two visits to Montenegro.



Description

Working Days

Timeline and Location

Desk review of the relevant documents, methodology development and definition of the indicators for child poverty measurement in Montenegro

4

by September 10, 2018

First visit to Montenegro

4

by September 15, 2018

Second visit to Montenegro

4

by October 15, 2018

Deliver Final Report of the Analysis on the child poverty, based on the EU SILC survey for the period 2013-2017, by November 20.

6

by November 20, 2018



6. Management and Organisation

The Consultant will be supervised by UNICEF Social Policy Officer under the overall guidelines of Deputy Representative of UNICEF Country Office in Montenegro. The Consultant will work closely with representatives of the National Statistical Office who will provide access to relevant datasets to the selected consultant. Regulation on personal data protection and handling of statistical data might require a confidentiality clause/agreement.



7. Qualifications and Background

The

Documents

 Tender Notice