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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 fulfilling 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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region.  This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

• survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
• development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
• protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
• participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office is seeking an individual consultant to offer data science, engineering and provide senior stakeholder, communications and project management support for the activities of EAPRO’s Frontier Data Lab for activities related to GAVI/ Climate Change / Emergencies and WASH. This work is fundamental to the outcomes and outputs of EAP RO’s RAM and is related to the support of the CPD process. Under the guidance of EAPRO’s Regional T4D Manager, the consultant will collaborate closely with regional T4D, Centres of Excellence and program teams, as well as T4D, data, and program teams based in country offices  throughout the East Asia and Pacific region and in the future, the wider Asia Pacific Region. 

Key responsibilities for this role include:

- Assisting in the creation of data analytics products that enable the dissemination of developed data science models through interactive dashboards and actionable insights.

- Develop data science and Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Large Language Models knowledge assets to support capacity and capability with EAP’s CO T4D focal points, CO teams and with governments in the region on developing data products.

- Work with other Fronter Data and Technology colleagues across the wider UNICEF ecosystem on communications and knowledge products, alongside building internal capability within UNICEF.

Work assignment, Expected deliverables and Delivery schedule:

The consultancy focuses on delivering three work packages (mentioned below), including the enhancement and scale-up of existing Frontier Data Lab products by collaborating with Country Offices and Technology for Development (T4D) team members and the EAPRO’s Emergency Response Team and the Office of Emergency Programmes. The consultant will also work towards improving the team's systems, communication, and workflows to deliver projects. 

Task 1 - Develop approaches to integrating data into the Automated SitRep Machine Learning Models for Hazard Forecasting and Impact Assessment

Develop machine learning models to strengthen the Automated SitRep system’s capacity to forecast hazards, assess post-event impacts, and generate automated situation reports. The models will integrate data from GeoRepo, the Global Child Hazard Database, and GeoSight to enhance decision-making and emergency response.

• Deliver an initial model trained and validated using integrated geospatial, meteorological, and historical event data.

• Produce a performance evaluation report including metrics such as accuracy, recall, and error rate, with visualisations showing regional prediction performance.

• Present an implementation plan for incorporating the model into Automated SitRep, linking early warning, real-time assessment, and post-event data. 

Delivery schedule: 11 March 2026 

Task 2 - Document and recommend pathways to strengthen and develop Automated SitRep Machine Learning Models for Hazard Forecasting and Impact Assessment

Document how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be embedded across the Automated SitRep architecture to strengthen UNICEF’s end-to-end natural hazard data ecosystem.

• Produce a comprehensive report detailing AI use cases within the forecasting, risk assessment, and post-event modules of Automated SitRep. The report should be finalised within the second four-month period (March - April 2026), with a mid-term draft shared for internal review.

• Analyse operational lessons from regional deployments, highlighting efficiency gains, technical challenges, and data interoperability requirements.

• Recommend pathways for scaling AI and ML tools to support forecasting and humanitarian decision-making at regional and global levels. 

Delivery schedule: 30 April 2026 

Task 3– Deployed AI/ML Application Co-Designed for Automated SitRep

Collaborate with EMOPS and at least one UNICEF Country Office to co-design and deploy an AI/ML application that enhances Automated SitRep functionality, such as automated impact estimation, rapid data integration, or forecast-based early warning.

• Identify and validate user requirements through consultation with Office of Emergency Programmes (EMOPS), DAPM, and selected Country Offices.

• Co-design and prototype the ML/AI application, integrating user feedback and testing through simulated or real event scenarios.

• Deploy the finalised model within Automated SitRep and produce a technical report summarising system performance, user engagement, and lessons for regional scale-up

• Deployment to be completed by May 2026, with a summary of outcomes and next steps for institutional integration.

Delivery schedule: 29 May 2026

Duration of Contract:   2 February – 29 May 2026

Duty Travel: The consultant will be based remotely. The consultant may also be invited to represent the Frontier Data Lab in regional workshops or meetings within the region.

Duty travel may be expected to a Country Office. Any such travel must only be undertaken upon approval by the Regional T4D Manager.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum qualifications and professional experience

- Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or equivalent degree.

- 10+ years of relevant experience in Project Management, Data Engineering, Data Management, Data Analysis as well as experience in Data Visualization and Data Science/Machine Learning

Background combining programmatic knowledge, ability to work across organizational boundaries and technical skills to respond to the organizational needs and functions that technology must support

- Strong experience in Project and Stakeholder Management within in East Asia Pacific

- Demonstrated experience designing and developing compelling, and actionable data visualization products using modern data visualization tools like Tableau or PowerBI

- Demonstrated ability to convey insights and key messages from noisy datasets clearly, quickly, and effectively to drive action

- Demonstrated data analysis skills and data science skills, especially in the social, public, development, or humanitarian sector

- Strong experience with building conversational agents using Large Language Models and GenAI

- Experience using Computer Vision and Deep learning models on Satellite images

Past exposure to UNICEF, UN or other INGO programmatic areas and experience in applying technical solutions to address programmatic issues

Proven experience in supporting and coordinating project activities across a large organization and with other international partner organizations across multiple stakeholders

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and proposed daily professional fee in USD by 2 December 2025.

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.

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UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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:  

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. 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. 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.