UNDP Jobs: roject to Produce Two Datasets for the Analysis of Social Security Issues in Viet Nam

Terms of Reference for a Project to Produce Two Datasets for
the Analysis of Social Security Issues in Viet Nam

1. Project background

UNDP and the Department for International Development of the
United Kingdom (DFID) have entered into a Strategic
Partnership Initiative (SPI) to streamline existing
arrangements between the two agencies and to capitalize on
the respective comparative advantage of each agency. As part
of this partnership initiative, DFID has provided funds to
UNDP to support policy research and other new initiatives.
One of the areas of policy research identified at the first
annual review meeting of the SPI between the two agencies is
the development of an integrated system of social security
in Viet Nam.
In October 2005 the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social
Affairs requested support from UNDP to coordinate research
on social security issues. The objective of the research is
to develop a framework document for an integrated system of
social security by 2008.

As part of this research, UNDP has commissioned two research
papers from Bath University (ESRC Centre for Well Being in
Developing Countries) on the relationship between old age
and poverty and the impact of the present system of social
security on national income distribution. Additional work
will be commissioned in the near future.

In order to carry out this work in a consistent manner, UNDP
needs to create two datasets from the 2002 and 2004 Viet Nam
Household Living Standards Surveys. The datasets must be
internally consistent and conform to General Statistics
Office (GSO) norms on income and expenditure definitions.

2. Objectives

The objective of the project is to produce two consistent
datasets from the 2002 and 2005 Viet Nam Household Living
Standards surveys for use in social security analysis.

3. Project team

The project team will consist of one or more national
database and sample survey experts.

4. Outputs

The project will produce two datasets in STATA format based
on the Vietnam Households Living Standards Survey from the
years 2002 and 2004.

The datasets will satisfy the following criteria:

(i) They will be presented in flat, horizontal format;

(ii) They will include expenditure and income variables for
households and individuals calculated using standard GSO
norms and definitions;

(iii) They will include all taxes and transfers and present
income pre and post tax and transfer;

(iv) They will clearly indicate the panel element of the two
surveys;

(v) They will include the complete list of variables from
the VHLSS household surveys;

(vi) They will be delivered to UNDP in STATA format on
CD-ROM.

5. Timing, duration and location

The project will require a maximum of 75 person days,
beginning in November 2005. The work will be carried out at
the home base of the national expert(s).

6. Reporting lines and administrative support

The national expert(s) will report to the Senior Country
Economist of UNDP. UNDP will not provide administrative
support, office space or use of computers. The expert(s)
will coordinate closely with the Bath University social
security research team.

7. Tasks and qualifications

Tasks:

The national expert(s) will complete the following tasks:

- Check the 2002 and 2004 VHLSS datasets for consistency and
errors;

- Consult with GSO, World Bank and UNDP on income and
expenditure definitions and norms, including pre and post
tax and transfer income and poverty lines;

- Compile the required datasets for 2002 and 2004 VHLSS;

- Produce revised, specific income and expenditure profiles
to be used in social security profiling, net of subsidies
and user charges and similar expenditures from gross income;

- Deliver the datasets to UNDP on CD-ROM and in STATA
format.

Expected number of working days:

Maximum 75 person-days

Qualifications and experience:

- Advanced degree in statistics, development economics or
related discipline;

- Thorough knowledge of the VHLSS surveys;

- Experience in the use of STATA software;

- Access to relevant publications in English and Vietnamese;

- English language fluency.

8. Application Procedures

Applicants are invited to visit the website of UNDP Viet
Nam: http://www.un.org.vn/jobs/

Interested candidates are invited to submit Application
letter, UN Personal History form and detailed/updated CV in
English, indicating "Application for National database &
sample survey experts"

to:

Ms. Nguyen Minh Ha
UNDP-Viet Nam
25-29 Phan Boi Chau street
Hanoi, Viet Nam
Fax: +84-4-942 2267
Email: registry.vn@undp.org

Applications must reach the above address no later than
17:00 P.M, 30 November 2005.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified three weeks
after the submission deadline.

We especially encourage women to apply and value
geographical diversity in our workforce