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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.

For every child, the right to Learn

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this assignment is to support the Global Education Cluster (GEC) advance the second phase of the Strengthening Rapid Education Response Action initiative, funded by DG-ECHO. Building on the foundations established in Phase 1—which successfully challenged perceptions that education in emergencies is not suited for rapid response by developing a robust evidence base, producing a first-of-its-kind practical toolkit, and strengthening sectoral capacity through targeted training—Phase 2 aims to consolidate these gains, apply lessons learned, and expand the initiative’s reach and impact.  
 
Specifically, this phase will focus on enhancing and scaling the Rapid Response Toolkit by incorporating new country examples, updating and developing additional tools, and piloting approaches to promote replicable and scalable good practices. In parallel, it will deliver contextualized training workshops and tailored technical support in five priority countries to strengthen their ability to resource and implement rapid education responses. Achieving measurable results at the country level will be critical to reinforcing both national and global capacities and sustaining advocacy for the life-saving and life-sustaining role of education in humanitarian action.  
 
Working in close collaboration with Action Consortium partners, the consultant will provide targeted technical assistance and capacity strengthening in five priority countries to develop, validate, and operationalize contingency plans for Anticipatory Action and Rapid EiE, support the piloting and refinement of the Rapid EiE Toolkit, and advance communication and advocacy efforts to elevate the importance and impact of rapid education responses in emergencies. 

Deliverables:

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Masters in International Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Education, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, or other relevant field  
• Work Experience: 
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible work experience in humanitarian coordination and response
• Demonstrated technical expertise in education in emergencies required
• Demonstrated ability to work well both independently and within a multicultural team
• Language Requirements: 
• Fluency in English required. Proficiency in Spanish, French or Portuguese an advantage

Desirables:

• Demonstrated experience working across the preparedness-AA-rapid EiE continuum is an asset
• Previous experience with UN/UNICEF and knowledge of humanitarian clusters preferred
• Experience working with local and national organizations an asset
• Experience working in both emergency contexts and at HQ-level an asset
• Strong research, analytical and writing and synthesis skills an asset
• Ability to communicate effectively across a variety diverse audiences desired

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

Estimated Duration of the Contract

200 working days between January and November 2026

Consultant's Work Place and Official Travel

The Consultant will be home-based. There are an estimated of 3 travels planned as part of this contract. These missions are planned to take place in Q1 and Q2 of 2026.  The consultant will be reimbursed based on travel invoice following each trip.  

Estimated Cost of the Consultancy & Payment Schedule

Payment will be made on submission of an invoice and satisfactory completion of the above-mentioned deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines. All materials developed will remain the copyright of UNICEF and UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future.

Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 200 working days to undertake this assignment.

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

Remarks:

Please include a full CV and a Cover Letter in your application. Additionally, indicate your availability and professional fee (in USD) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a professional fee will not be considered. 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.

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 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 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.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.