Current vacancies

Consultancy Title: Research Consultant – Child Outcomes and Debt

Division/Duty Station: Director’s Office, Programme Group/NYHQ/remote

Duration: 1 June 2025 – 30 April 2026

Home/ Office 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 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:

Debt itself is not inherently bad; in fact, it plays a crucial role in effective public finance and for children it can accelerate crucial investments with high and long-term returns. However, when debt obligations grow too large without sufficient or timely economic returns, the negative consequences—such as constrained national budgets—intensify. The effects on children can be particularly severe, while least responsible, they can suffer the greatest consequences as their development is impacted with long term implications for children themselves and economies more broadly. Accordingly, UNICEF is increasingly concerned about the rising burden of national debt and debt service obligations, particularly in lower- and lower-middle-income countries, where shrinking fiscal space threatens social spending and, ultimately, children's rights.

The number of developing countries with public debt exceeding 60% of GDP has risen sharply, from 31 in 2013 to 59 in 2023, and according to the World Bank and IMF Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA)  finds of the 67 low and lower-middle income countries assessed, 10 are in debt distress, 17 at a high risk of distress, with a further 25 considered at moderate risk.

The increasing diversity of creditors in developing countries has made debt restructuring negotiations more complex and contentious. Private creditors now account for 61 per cent of total debt, with bilateral creditors contributing 26 per cent and multilateral institutions 14 per cent. While this diversification has expanded access to financing, it has also complicated restructuring efforts, as it requires aligning the interests of creditors with varying priorities, legal frameworks, and debt management approaches. Notably, bilateral lending is also evolving, with around two-thirds of debt now owed to non-Paris Club lenders, who operate under different principles and conditions for debt relief. At the same time, aid flows are under threat and the increasing use of loans rather than grants are exacerbating challenges in development finance making effective debt management more critical than ever to protect fiscal space for social spending and sustainable development.

The international community has taken steps to improve mechanisms and structures for managing the growing challenges of debt restructuring in this complex landscape. The Common Framework for Debt Treatments is designed to provide timely and comprehensive solutions for countries facing unsustainable debt levels, including the creation of a bilateral creditor committee, including non-Paris Club creditors, as well as mechanisms for integrating private sector creditors into the process. A key step in implementing the Common Framework, with critical implications for children, is the establishment of an IMF program and its spending conditions, which sets economic parameters that shape fiscal policies during debt restructuring. Notably, in a positive shift social safeguards are now explicitly included in IMF programs ensuring some consideration of social implications.

Despite international efforts to improve debt restructuring mechanisms, the situation remains extremely challenging, with children’s outcomes increasingly compromised. Many countries struggling with heavy debt burdens have yet to undergo restructuring, while those that do face lengthy and complex processes. Even after completion, persistent fiscal constraints continue to limit public investment in essential services such as education, health, and social protection, further exacerbating the risks to children’s well-being.

In response to these challenges, UNICEF is undertaking a research program aimed at contributing to policy discussions and the development of actionable responses to better protect children’s rights. This research seeks to (i) assess and articulate the impacts of the current debt situation on children and (ii) explore policy approaches to debt management and restructuring that prioritize child outcomes and the long-term benefits of investing in human capital. 

To support this work UNICEF is seeking a researcher to support the development of the research programme and development of a final book that brings the research together.

Scope of Work:

Scope of Work:

The scope of work of the consultancy is to provide support across the following areas:

1. Background research papers on debt and child outcomes, including on impacts of debt-service burdens on children and key policy responses including child focused debt-restructuring conditions and mechanisms. 
2. Support the process of developing country analysis, including working with countries, supporting context development and editing as needed.
3. Support outreach and engagement with contributing authors and advisors, including in their development of background research notes, identification of key external experts and researchers as well as internal expert and steering panels.
4. Support translation and finalization of background papers into book chapters.
5. Engagement with publishers and editors in the development of final manuscripts.
6. In person support to key events including a General Assembly meeting on debt, and other related in person engagements.

Support to briefing materials and advocacy: Provide research information and inputs towards the development of briefing and advocacy materials for UNICEF Senior Staff

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1.  Expert Engagement & Coordination

-  Identification and coordination of at least five key external experts and researchers, along with internal expert panels, to contribute to research and policy discussions

30 June 2025

2.  Background Research Notes

-  Preparation of two to three research notes summarizing key findings to inform discussions among contributing authors and advisors

30 July 2025

3. First Round of Background Research Papers

-  Development of at least one comprehensive research papers analyzing the impact of debt on child outcomes, including policy responses such as child-focused debt restructuring mechanisms

30 August 2025

4.  Case Study Development

-  Support the compilation of at least three country case studies on debt and child well-being, incorporating contextual analysis and policy recommendations

30 September 2025

5. Second Round of Background Research Papers

-  Development of at least one more comprehensive research papers analyzing the impact of debt on child outcomes, including policy responses such as child-focused debt restructuring mechanisms

30 October 2025

6.  Event Support & Representation

-  Providing research and logistical support for two key events, including at least one major conference or General Assembly meeting on debt and child outcomes

30 November 2025

7.  Manuscript Development

-  Drafting, editing, and finalizing at least three book chapters based on research findings and case studies, ensuring coherence and alignment with the overall book structure

30 December 2025

8.  Publication Coordination

-  Engagement with publishers and editors to refine the manuscript, address formatting and content requirements, and ensure timely publication resulting finalized manuscript and consistent coordination with editors and publishers

30 January 2026

9.  Advocacy Materials Development

-  Creation of at least three briefing notes or advocacy materials for UNICEF senior staff to support policy discussions and external engagements

28 February 2026

10.  Stakeholder Outreach & Communication

-  Conduct at least 10 engagements with policymakers, researchers, and international organizations to disseminate findings and advocate for child-sensitive debt policies 

-  Maintain a considerable frequency of meetings, with a minimum of 2 meetings per week during the designated month

-  Prepare and submit comprehensive discussion notes and a summary of key takeaways from each engagement

30 March 2026

11.  Final Report on Research Programme

- Compilation of a comprehensive summary report outlining key research findings, policy recommendations, and next steps for UNICEF’s engagement in debt-related policy discussions

30 April 2026

Qualifications

Education: Masters or PhD  Advanced university degree in public policy, economics, social sciences

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *

• Advance degree in development related field, public policy, economics, social sciences.  PhD highly preferred.
• Minimum 3-5 years of work experience in child relevant policy areas such as social protection, child poverty, health or education. Experience working for an international organization and with governments highly desired.
• Experience working on developing economies, especially lower and -middle income. Experience working in countries including engagement of government counterparts highly desired
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking complex research processes, including exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Strong skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and reporting skills.
• Ability to work with a team and independently in a multi-cultural environment.
• Fluency in English (verbal and written)

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