Contract Duration – 11.5 months

Working arrangement: Remote

 UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

To raise awareness on data governance across UNICEF staff globally, thereby enhancing UNICEF’s data governance maturity, supporting culture change, and strengthening messaging around Data Governance for Children.

Scope of Work:

A. Advocacy, Outreach, and Engagement

• Conduct at least one structured conversation with all UNICEF Offices to:
• Understand awareness levels, challenges, and ongoing data governance related initiatives.
• Capture perceptions of data governance maturity and readiness.
• Promote UNICEF’s data governance efforts, including:
• Proposed data governance framework, related policies, and ongoing transformation work.
• Connections to global initiatives, norms, and inter‑agency processes.

B. Develop and Deliver Key Messages

• Develop concise, compelling key messages aligned with UNICEF’s data governance priorities, including:
• Data governance as foundational to safe, effective data use and AI readiness.
• UNICEF’s commitment to data governance for Children (DG4C).
• Links to organizational strategies and global mandates.
• Tailor messaging for different audiences (leadership, operations, programme, IT, etc.).

C. Promote Ongoing Work

• Socialize ongoing UNICEF initiatives such as:
• Data Transformation Initiative (DTI).
• DG4C and global thought‑leadership workstreams.
• Internal governance updates, assessments, and readiness activities.
• Elevate awareness of ongoing maturity assessments, reviews, inter-agency and UN initiatives related to Data Governance.

E. Explain the “Why”, Craft the “How”

• Produce simple explainer materials describing:
• Why data governance matters for UNICEF’s mission.
• How UNICEF can progressively strengthen maturity.
• Build narratives that connect governance to risks, opportunities, and impact.

G. Synthesize Insights for Organizational Initiatives

• Synthesize findings from all engagements into an analytical report with:
• Data governance maturity pathways,
• Training and capacity‑building priorities,
• Communication and behavioral change strategies.
• Produce a short companion briefing for senior leadership.

• 5. Key Deliverables

- Engagement plan outlining offices, sequencing, and methods.

- Key messaging package (narratives, slide deck, FAQs, talking points).

- Final synthesis report with:

• • Findings from RO/CO/COE engagements,
  • Recommendations
  • Proposed roadmap for raising UNICEF’s data governance maturity.

- Presentation of findings to OSE Leadership.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy on the detailed deliverables and expected outcomes, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToR TMC0001226.pdf

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Masters in Data Governance, Data Communications, Behavioral Science
• Work Experience At least five years of proven experience in implementation of Data Governance initiatives.
• Skills: Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks and best practices across UN agencies and/or other international organizations.
• Familiarity with UN‑wide initiatives, including UN 2.0, UN 80, and JIU recommendations.
• Familiarity with the work of UNICEF and its processes and structures is considered a strong asset
• Understanding of data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills

• Language Requirements: English proficiency is required for this position. Other languages are considered an asset

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 promoting 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 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal ( Finanical Proposal TMC0001226.docx)

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.