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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope.

 

Consultancy Title: Data and Monitoring Consultant for Child Protection and Development

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Analysis, Planning & Monitor, Programme Group, UNICEF NYHQ

Duration: 3 February 2025 to 27 June 2026

Home/ Office Based: NYHQ / Remote

 

About UNICEF 

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment: 

The Child Protection and Development (CPD) team within the Data and Analytics Section covers a number of topics including birth registration, child labour, child marriage, female genital mutilation, violence against children and children living outside of family care. The CPD team is also responsible for statistics and data on early childhood development (ECD). The CPD team work in the area of child protection includes: supporting the collection of nationally representative data through the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS); maintaining global databases on key indicators; methodological work to develop new data collection and monitoring tools and questionnaires in the area of child protection and ECD, including on issues measured by SDG indicators; conducting data analyses; undertaking capacity-building; and disseminating data on child protection in a variety of ways including through flagship publications, thematic data-driven publications and brochures and statistical country profiles.

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide support to the CPD team in the areas of ECD and with respect to some specific topics within child protection, namely birth registration, violence and children living outside of family care. The consultant will be supervised by the Senior Adviser, Statistics, Child Protection and Development within the Data and Analytics Section.

 

Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for supporting with the preparation and production of data-driven products and publications, designing and advancing methodological work, undertaking capacity-building efforts and outreach/dissemination initiatives, and providing technical assistance to countries.

Specific Tasks:

• Data compilation, preparing draft charts/tables/maps and drafting accompanying key messages and technical notes, drafting short pieces of text, fact-checking, and proofreading/reviewing data-driven publications during the design/layout stage
• Design and support methodological work to develop, validate and pilot test new data collection tools
• Undertake and facilitate capacity-building efforts, workshops and initiatives
• Provide technical assistance to countries for the implementation of data activities and to ensure the effective use and interpretation of data to inform programming

 

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

1. Undertake a technical review and assessment of new/updated data on a selection of key child protection and ECD indicators as part of UNICEF’s annual country consultation processes (SDG and CRAVE) and prepare inputs for the 2025 SDG reporting cycle
2. Assist with planning, preparing and facilitating a technical consultation of experts on statistical classification of alternative care in New York
3. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• Updated 2025 global databases for up to 12 indicators on child protection and ECD
• Meeting materials (1 agenda, 3-page admin note, participant list, 5-page background note, and up to 2 presentations in PowerPoint) and meeting report (up to 10 written pages in Word)
• Data compilation and preparation of data content (up to 10 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 5 pages in Word) for up to 5 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread PDFs of up 40 pages for 2 data publications/products (28 March 2025)

4. Design and prepare materials for country testing of new survey questions
5. Provide technical assistance and guidance, including training, to country teams to implement testing of new survey questions
6. Prepare updated content for CPD thematic webpages
7. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• Data compilation and preparation of additional data content (up to 10 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 5 pages in Word) for up to 5 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread additional PDFs of up to 30 pages for 3 data publications/products
• Written materials for country testing (10-page protocol document, consent form and 20-page interview guide)
• Updated additional data content (up to 15 charts and accompanying key message and technical notes) for up to 15 indicators on child protection and ECD for website thematic pages (30 May 2025)

8. Revise and finalize guidance and materials on strengthening data on alternative care
9. Support management and facilitation of online consultation and revision of draft statistical classification on alternative care
10. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• Final Word version of 80-page guidance document on alternative care
• Proofread PDF of guidance document on alternative care
• Curated content and facilitate online consultation
• Data compilation and preparation of additional data content (up to 10 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 5 pages in Word) for up to 5 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread PDFs of up to 30 pages for 3 additional data publications/products          (1 August 2025)

11. Provide technical assistance and guidance to country teams to implement tools on residential care
12. Design and prepare materials for country pilot testing of draft statistical classification on alternative care
13. Revise new survey questions based on expert consultation and country testing

• A brief prepared based on the conducted review/assessment of 2024 country adapted tools and materials
• Written materials for country testing (5-page protocol document and 3 written templates up to 5 pages each)
• Revised set of up to 40 survey questions in Word (3 October 2025)

14. Assist with planning, preparing and facilitating a technical consultation and pre-pilot of statistical classification of alternative care
15. Undertake data compilation and revision of technical appendix for updated ECD Countdown to 2030 country profiles and coordinate production (editing, design, translation)
16. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• Meeting materials (1 agenda, 3-page admin note, participant list, 5-page background note, and up to 2 presentations in PowerPoint) and meeting report (up to 10 written pages in Word)
• Final consolidated PDF of the 197 country profiles and technical appendix in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic ready for publication and dissemination
• Data compilation and preparation of additional data content (up to 20 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 10 pages in Word) for up to 10 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread PDFs of up 30 pages for 2 additional data publications/products (5 December 2025)

17. Design, facilitate, and coordinate capacity-building workshop on alternative care data
18. Design and prepare materials for country testing of new survey questions
19. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• Curated content for the capacity-building workshop, define profile of participants, screen and enroll participants and facilitate/deliver workshop sessions
• A set of written materials for country testing (5-page protocol document, consent form and 20-page interview guide)
• Data compilation and preparation of additional data content (up to 10 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 5 pages in Word) for up to 5 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread PDFs of up 20 pages for 2 additional data publications/products (30 January 2026)

20. Undertake a technical review and assessment of new/updated data on a selection of key child protection and ECD indicators as part of UNICEF’s annual country consultation processes (SDG and CRAVE) and prepare inputs for the 2026 SDG reporting cycle
21. Assist with planning, preparing and facilitating a technical consultation on revised survey questions
22. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• Updated 2026 global databases for up to 12 indicators on child protection and ECD
• SDG report storylines of up to 1-page each for a selection of up to 5 indicators
• A set of meeting materials (1 agenda, 3-page admin note, participant list, 5-page written background note, and up to 2 presentations in PowerPoint) and meeting report (up to 10 written pages in Word)
• Data compilation and preparation of additional data content (up to 20 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 10 pages in Word) for up to 5 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread PDFs of up 30 pages for 3 additional data publications/products (27 March 2026)

23. Provide technical assistance and guidance to country teams to strengthen data on alternative care
24. Prepare updated content for CPD thematic webpages
25. Prepare data content and narratives and coordinate/manage production for statistical publications and products

• A brief prepared based on the conducted review/assessment of 2025 country adapted tools and materials
• Data compilation and preparation of additional data content (up to 30 charts, tables or maps in Excel) and narrative (key messages, text and technical notes up to 20 pages in Word) for up to 10 indicators of child protection and ECD for statistical publications/products
• Fact-checked and proofread PDFs of up 50 pages for 5 additional data publications/products
• Updated additional data content (up to 15 charts and accompanying key message and technical notes) for up to 15 indicators on child protection and ECD for website thematic pages (27 June 2026)

 

Qualifications

Education: 

Advanced university degree (Masters) in demography, public health, or other social sciences field.

 

Work experience:

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *: 

• At least 10 years of experience working in the area of data, statistics and monitoring, preferably at the international level as well as in project management, preferably around data activities and initiatives.
• Demonstrated previous experience with data compilation and analysis and preparation of data content for publications.
• Demonstrated previous experience with designing and implementing testing and validation of data collection instruments.
• Technical knowledge and expertise on data related to the topics of ECD and child protection.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills in interacting with colleagues at all levels.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and analytical skills.
• Exposure to international professional contexts and/or multicultural environments within the United Nations System.
• Ability to take ownership and initiative and can work both independently and effectively in a team environment.
• Fluency in English.

 

Requirements:

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

- Upload copy of academic credentials

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability

- Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.

- At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

- Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

U.S. Visa information:

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results. View our competency framework at: Here

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.