Current vacancies

Consultancy Title: Advocacy Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM), NYHQ

Duration: March 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026

Home/ Office Based: Home-based/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 over 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:

For UNICEF, it is strategic within the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) work plan, to use and generate new sources of real-time information to better inform decision makers in the development and humanitarian ecosystem. To be able to do this, DAPM has created the Frontier Data Network (FDN), a global initiative to connect, share and ensure UNICEF harnesses the potential of frontier data technologies in an ethical way. The focus is on capacity building, coaching, and facilitation, integrated in a community of practice model that facilitates the collaboration with partners and collaborators everywhere.

To achieve FDN’s goals and objectives, UNICEF requires the services of an external consultant to support the development of the Frontier Data Network (FDN) towards internal and external stakeholders. The work requires deliverable support in the following four areas: 

1) Strategic events: Support the delivery of strategic activities through design and delivery of key workshops and events for FDN’s priority initiatives, including but not limited to the launch of the Latin America node and development of use cases for the International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC) Innovation Working Group’s 2025 planned activities.

2) Community engagement: Preparation, design, and delivery of knowledge-sharing activities for the FDN and Geospatial communities of practice through Share and Tell sessions and other related opportunities and programs. 

3) Advocacy and Communications: Facilitate communication of the FDN’s achievements and key results to internal and external stakeholders through case studies, events, and digital media. Maintain an impact portfolio to support the team’s engagement with partners. Help to identify and leverage opportunities with other colleagues for FDN. Outreach and communication facilitation of project progress across UNICEF channels.

4) Network development: Support the growth of FDN regional nodes by building and maintaining relationships and workplans with Regional Office liaisons and Country Offices, if it applies. Review and advise on internal and external community engagement activities to strengthen frontier data communities.

This is necessary to ensure the implementation of the planned strategic activities and use-cases developed across DAPM in 2025 and 2026. To effectively manage the deliverables, the candidate must possess a solid understanding of the overall scope as well as in-depth knowledge of associated activities.

Support Frontier Data Network quarterly strategic events (Q1-Q2, 2025)

• Facilitate event strategy and design, stakeholder outreach, communications, and onsite support for 2 FDN events

1-Apr-25

Support Frontier Data Network quarterly strategic events (Q3-Q4, 2025)

• Facilitate event strategy and design, stakeholder outreach, communications, and onsite support for 2 FDN events

1-Oct-25

Support Frontier Data Network strategic events (Q1 2026)

• Facilitate event strategy and design, stakeholder outreach, communications, and onsite support for one FDN event

28 Feb 26

Community Engagement: Support the organization and management of Frontier Data Network Channel and Share and Tell Sessions

• Organize and perform 4 share and tell sessions (or similar activities) from Feb 2025 to June 2025, including related outreach and communication products

30-Jun-25

• Organize and perform 4 share and tell sessions (or similar activities) from July 2025 to November 2025, including related outreach and communication products

30-Nov-25

• Organize and perform 3 share and tell sessions (or similar activities) from December 2025 to April 2026, including related outreach and communication products

30-April-26

Community Engagement: Support organization and management of Geospatial Community Calls

• Organize and perform 4 Geospatial Community Call sessions (or similar activities) from Feb 2025 to June 2025, including related outreach and communication products

30-Jun-25

• Organize and perform 4 Geospatial Community Call sessions (or similar activities) from July 2025 to December 2025, including related outreach and communication products

15-Dec-25

• Organize and perform 3 Geospatial Community Call sessions (or similar activities) from Jan to April 2026, including related outreach and communication products

30 April 26

Advocacy and Communications: Maintain an external facing impact portfolio

• Develop and facilitate publication of 4 case studies or use cases highlighting innovative applications of frontier data technologies

20-Jul-25

15-Dec-25

Advocacy and Communications: IDAC Migration Innovations webinar series

• Design, implement, and host 4 webinar sessions for members and guests of IDAC Working Group #4 

20-Jul-25

30-Sep-25

Advocacy and Communications: IDAC Migration Working Group

• Facilitate, design, four quarterly working group meetings, and produce related agendas, products or materials: Work with key stakeholders including Secretariat  

20-May-25

20-Nov-25

Regional Node development for the Frontier Data Network

• Organize and facilitate 30 regular meetings and other coordination mechanism for regional nodes (EAP, WCA, LAC, ECA) and FDN core team; manage shared document repositories and Teams channels to facilitate shared resources, including research agendas, use case portfolios, action plans and other related documentation

30-Mar-25

12-Aug-25

Support Use Case Development

• Draft three (2) action plans, proof of concepts (or similar documents) with strategic recommendations/ project management orientations to guide the development and implementation of a use case or frontier data application

05-Jan-26

Partnership development

• Review/edit/consolidate and/or advise  on 5 internal and external community engagement activities (as for example concept notes, or briefing notes for potential partnerships) to strengthen frontier data communities

01-Mar-25

External advocacy for FDN under guidance and instructions of the supervisor

• Develop an advisory mechanism for engaging external experts to advise the development of the FDN from academic, philanthropic, governmental, and private sectors. This advisory mechanism needs to be presented and validated by the supervisor and chief of Unit.

15-Jun-25

Support resource mobilization proposals and reporting

• 3 resource mobilization proposals or reports are reviewed and inputs provided

10-Sep-25

Travel international (if applicable)

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s) in a technology-related field.  

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

- At least 10 years of experience managing diverse groups of stakeholders and facilitating collaborative projects in large organizations such as UN agencies, governments, or NGOs

- At least 5 years of experience managing data or technology projects

- Demonstrated experience planning and managing digital/tech or innovation projects

- Proven communication, presentation, and analytical skills, and ability to work in a sensitive environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors.

- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

- UN/UNICEF experience is an asset.

- Experience designing and launching new programmes, initiatives, or organizations a plus

- Experience organizing and/or facilitating international events a plus

- Experience designing and implementing organizational change initiatives, such as digital transformation or other capacity building efforts (a plus).

- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of an additional UN language is an asset

*Listed requirements will be used for technical evaluation in the competitive process

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and 

- Upload copy of academic credentials 

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

o the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.

o travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. 

o Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.

o 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).    

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:  

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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.