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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 answers 

Children live in a world going through rapid change – from rising conflict to digital disruption and from mounting debt crises to climate shocks. To understand the challenges and opportunities children face, and to set effective strategies for progress, high-quality evidence has never been more vital.

UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti works to provide that evidence and to guide UNICEF to deliver results for children. We are inspired by the belief that stronger evidence leads to better decisions, and better decisions mean better lives for children.

UNICEF Innocenti | Office of Strategy and Evidence Innocenti

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall guidance of a research manager, the consultant will perform the following tasks:
• Collate and evaluate research evidence
• Undertake complex statistical analysis.
• Prepare briefing notes, technical documents, working papers and contribute (analysis and writing) to office publications.
• Present the results of analysis to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Provide expert advice and analysis to UNICEF offices related to the use of research and evidence related to comparative international studies at Innocenti.

Each contract offered under the LTA may either be based on days or deliverables. In the latter case, examples of deliverables are:
• Training and support delivered to UNICEF staff and internal/external researchers
• Research on secondary data and feasibility studies
• Statistical analysis, interpretation, technical and working papers
• Research reports and other research outputs
• Presentations and other forms of dissemination

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please review the complete Terms of Reference (ToR) here:  OSE-Innocenti_ToR_LTA_ComparativeResearch_Final_030726 EXT.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Educated to at least Master’s degree level in Economics, Social Policy, International Studies and related social science disciplines.

Work Experience: 

Group 1 (assessed at desk review)
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in social and economic research, ideally including quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies.
• Experience of international comparative research related to child rights and child well-being
• A track record of publications aimed at policy and general audiences communicating the results of social and economic research.
• Stated fluency (verbal and written) and ability to work at a professional level in English and in at least one additional language.
Group 2 (assessed at interview)
• Strong written and verbal presentation skills in English.
• Statistical analysis and interpretation skills (experience with R is required).
• Experience of undertaking a range of research studies including preferably quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies
• Strong interpersonal skills including developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is a strong asset.

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

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:  

Qualified candidates are warmly invited to carefully read the above Terms of Reference before applying and submit the required documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System).

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 Individual 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. 

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.