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Background

The household survey programme of the Bureau of Statistics has followed the recommendations of the UN’s National Household Survey Capability Programme (NHSCP). Intermittent surveys have been conducted in between the population censuses (e.g. labour force survey, household budget survey, demographic survey). There have been 5-8 years between each specialised surveys. The three latest household budget surveys, for example, were carried out in 1986/87, 1994/95 and 2002/2003. The next two surveys were intended to be a Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2007/08 and a Household Budget Survey 2008/09. Most preparatory work has already been done for the LFS, but the survey has not yet been launched.
The experience of intermittent household surveys in Lesotho, as in many other countries, is not as good as expected. The main and accelerating problem, however, is the need of timely data. With rapid changes in the economies, it is not acceptable to have updates once in five or ten years, often worsened by delayed dissemination.
The Bureau of Statistics is planning to launch a Continuous Multi Purpose Household Survey (CMPHS) instead of continuing the NHSCP. The primary objective is to provide a permanent platform for the collection of data relevant to compute socio-economic indicators. Each round of the survey will collect the same core data on, for example, household characteristics (sex, age, etc.), housing, access to amenities, health, education, economic activities and expendi¬ture. This will be essential for the formulation and monitoring of policy programmes such as the poverty reduction strategy. The on-going nature of the survey will allow any topic of interest to be integrated as a separate module in the questionnaire. Topics to be covered will be reviewed every year to take into consideration users’ current needs. The first specialised module of the CMPHS would be detailed questions on employment and economic activities, which would replace the planned LFS.
In fact, the Bureau has conducted an on-going household survey for many years, namely the agricultural production survey. This survey could possibly be integrated in the new survey.

Tasks of the Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is needed for the Bureau to design and launch the CMPHS, more specifically to:
• Design the questionnaire with: a) core questions to be included continuously, and b) an extended module on the labour force as the first add-on.
• Design the sample.
• Examine the possibilities and the pros and cons of including the agricultural production survey in the CMPHS.
• Take into account lessons learnt from the 2002/03 Household Budget Survey.
• Suggest a schedule for add-on modules.
• Estimate the resource requirements for the CMPHS.
• Provide training of supervisors and enumerators.
• Assist with a user-producer workshop.
• Devise a dissemination strategy for the survey results.

Timing
Considering the delay of the planned labour force survey, the CMPHS should be launched as soon as possible, realistically early next year. With an initial mission of three to four weeks in January-February it should be possible to launch the survey in April 2008. Thereafter, three missions of two to three weeks are needed. The timing of these missions is to be decided during the first mission. Altogether fourteen weeks of consultancy are needed including preparations and report writing at home.

Expert Profile
The expert shall have:
• An advanced degree in statistics, economics or a related field.
• A minimum of fifteen years professional experience.
• Prior experience of working with continuous multipurpose household surveys.
• Prior experience of working with household surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Good analytical and communication skills.
• Fluency in oral and written English
 

Please provide names of two referees, and address the proposal to:

The Resident Representative

United Nations Development Programme

P.O.Box 301

Maseru, 100

E-mail to: Registry.ls@undp.org  and copy veronic.sekhibane@undp.org 

A detailed Job Description can be viewed on the UNDP Notice Board on the third Floor of UN House or can be faxed/e-mailed as per request.

Closing date for applications: 17.00 12th November 2007