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 fordeveloping 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.

 

Consultancy: Data Science/Machine learning Consultancy for UNICEF global Programmes Evaluations   

Duty Station: Evaluation Office, NYHQ   

Duration: Dec 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025

Home/ Office Based: Remote

 

BACKGROUND

The mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights and wellbeing of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The UNICEF Evaluation Office (EO), as one of the core evidence functions of UNICEF, aims to help the organization to improve its performance and results, by supporting organizational learning and accountability. Working through the network of regional evaluation teams, the UNICEF EO supports its over 135 offices in finding evidence-based solutions for the world’s most vulnerable children.

The EO conducts strategic global, institutional effectiveness, humanitarian, and impact evaluations. It assures the quality and use of UNICEF evaluations by establishing norms, standards, guidelines as well as knowledge sharing and partnerships for evidence generation and use.

In the current accelerated shrinking of overseas development assistance, the UNICEF Evaluation Office (EO) is stepping up efforts towards greater cost-efficiency of its evaluation processes, to diversify methods and boosting the use of under-utilized internal data and capacities of adequate and advanced technical solutions. The UNICEF Evaluation Policy 2023 advocates for the use of diverse and rigorous evaluation methods, tailored to the specific context and objectives of each evaluation, managing risks and supporting the development and scaling of innovative solutions that contribute to advancements for children and young people.

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to enhance the quality, timeliness, and cost-efficiency of evaluative evidence of UNICEF programme evaluations by designing and operating reusable data generation, integration and analytics assets (including machine learning and artificial intelligence), and by directly supporting scoping, inception and analysis phases of ongoing and upcoming evaluations. The EO is seeking an experienced data scientist/AI expert to strengthen data generation, integration, and analysis functions by leveraging advanced data science, machine learning and AI methodologies.

Scope

The consultant will:

1. Institutionalize creative, and where appropriate innovative, approaches (e.g., in impact evaluation methods, processes, or overall evaluation data approaches) for all programme evaluations -and other portfolios as possible- to maximize the timeliness, efficiency, rigor cost‐efficiency and/or rigour and credibility of the evaluation.
2. Use data science to generating new meaningful and timely evidence for evaluations with secondary data sources. Develop code for evaluations that allows customization for rapid analysis of secondary and non-traditional sources (e.g.   big data such as mobile phone data, satellite imagery, tapping on internal textual monitoring and reporting data) of data using machine learning and artificial intelligence can strengthen the evidence derived from traditional evaluation methods. .
3. Improve efficiencies in evaluations by developing data processing solutions that can be replicated across evaluations thematic and data types. The resources and time spent in conducting data processing and analytics tasks can be reduced significantly by automating tasks that are often repeated across evaluations. For example, facilitating the identification and analysis of relevant evaluation reports during the planning and scoping phases; reviewing programme documents, monitoring, reporting and expenditure data.

Governance

The consultant will work on developing solutions for the programme, impact and other evaluations conducted by the EO team and will design solutions for replicability against other previous and preferably ongoing evaluations. S/he will be supervised by one Evaluation Specialist but will work in close consultation with all the evaluation managers of the unit. The specific tasks in the assignments and deliverables table below, will be tailored to needs identified in consultations with other evaluation managers. The supervisor will facilitate and support the engagement of the consultant with units and teams relevant Divisions in the organization: Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring; Information and Communication Technology; Digital Centre of Excellence, Office of Research, Ethics Office, and other teams at headquarters and the decentralized level. The consultant will participate in the regular section meetings and others, as needed.

The consultant will work according to the following principles:

1. Relevance and replicability over complexity. There is not always a need for advanced data science, ML or AI models to obtain impactful findings (for example consider basic text mining).
2. Low energy consumption, adequate computing needs. Use techniques optimized to the lowest level of energy consumption, covering the required computing needs for the purpose but not more than that. For example, do not use LLM or other AI techniques when efficient solutions are available by other means.
3. Abide by UNICEF ethics and data protection and privacy guidance. Wherever there is a guidance gap or deviations might be needed, use other standards in consultation with the supervisor.
4. The output products (see table below describing assignments and deliverables) will be done on platforms that use open-source technologies and software packages or otherwise those that are already available to the organization.
5. Acknowledge the dynamic nature of the field, while considering replicability of applications is important, adopt agile and low-cost project systems for adaptation to advances.
6. Develop in-house skills on designing, adapting and managing data science efforts in evaluations. Encourage knowledge sharing internally and externally, focus on identifying limitations and learning from failure

The practical application of the principles described is going to be done in close consultation with the supervisor. The code produced by the consultant will build from and refine the available code in the organization, in particular though not exclusively the Evaluation Code Catalogue (ECC): the code generated will be documented according to coding standards and stored in the ECC.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1. Make UNICEF internal data available as open datasets ready for data analysis with machine learning, artificial intelligence or other techniques

-  Prepare a presentation that outlines the approach, with a mockup and high-level overview for the deliverables listed in this table and use it to consult with evaluation managers to refine design of deliverables in line with the purpose and principles of this assignment

-  Simple interface that provides access to the output and data from the following data assets (in json, csv or other common format), which will have to be stored in UNICEF premises (Azure or Microsoft Fabric), and automatically refresh/update: 

1. Data from all the evaluations reports in the Evidence Information Systems Integration (EISI), evaluation and management response reports database, monthly automatic updates;
2. Data from all the Country Office Annual Reports (all countries, all years available, output and outcome analytical statements and sections from the standard report; output and outcome monitoring (RAM) and Country Programme Documents (CPDs) – annual automatic updates;
3. Dataset with organization’s strategic priorities and the evaluation gaps, building on the methodology used in the pilot risk assessment for evaluation planning. Filter output variables: global/regional – annual automatic updates.

Code is available in the ECC to build from: EO EISI summarizer, EO Textlab-app and EO pilot risk assessment.

31 March 2026

2.  Extract data and prepare datasets and visuals to support programme effectiveness analysis (e.g. velocity analysis), focusing on the change in user-selected indicators and programme expenditures over time

- Create a customizable interface to conduct programme effectiveness analysis, showing time change of selected indicators. The output will include all the outcome indicators (standard monitoring and reporting indicators), and will be developed in Plotly Dash building on the UNICEF Transmonee dashboard 

Code is available in GitHub for the Transmonee dashboard.

-  Customizable analytical output (format to be discussed) on programme expenditures, including longitudinal visuals with filters on programme / WBS, years, funding types, and other relevant variables. This information combines available the different cube files (excel pivots) available

Code is available in the ECC to build from: country profiles from Data, Planning, Analytics and Monitoring: EO pilot risk assessment

15 June 2026

3.  Create analytical outputs /products that support planning and scoping of programme evaluations

- Create a global and regional version of the cross-level planning tool (Evaluation Country Case Load dashboard) for harmonized global planning and monitoring of ongoing evaluations, linking with and pulling information from the database of evaluation reports (EISI) to automatically complement information in the dashboard

- Customizable output that shows the typology of countries with filters such: Country Office/Natcom, regions, Child rights focus areas (CPDs) and needs (situation analysis, reports of the Committee on the Rights of the Child), expenditures, typology of funding sources

Code is available in the ECC to build from: pilot risk assessment. Dashboard: Integrated Country selector

20 oct 2026

4. Dissemination and documentation

-  Drafting all the documentation and analytical outputs, recommendations to keep products and code functional and abreast new developments. A presentation deck including visuals to guide evaluation managers to understand how to use the products generated. Participate in at least two webinars to disseminate the products among the evaluation function experts across UNICEF

31 Dec 2026

5.  Capacity development

-  Review and finalize outputs in consultation with evaluation managers. Train the evaluation managers so they can use, and adapting whenever required, the products created in this assignment to any of the evaluations they conduct

31 Dec 2026

Qualifications

Education:   

Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in a relevant field (Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science, Machine Learning, or similar).

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

1. At least 2 years of experience in applied data science/AI in research/evaluation contexts is required.
2. Prior experience with development or humanitarian programmes is an asset.
3. Demonstrated skills in applied data science methods and techniques, is  required, including natural language processing (NLP), text mining, topic modelling, sentiment analysis, machine learning (supervised and unsupervised models), data integration and visualization.
4. Knowledge of data protection and governance observant and ethical use of data science, machine learning and AI is required.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate with diverse teams and audiences.
6. Team player mentality and desire to collaborate in a multicultural and diverse work setting, as well as work independently.
7. Ability to create and develop partnerships with stakeholders in person and especially in remote interactions.
8. Demonstrated ability to deliver quality products on time, preferably for UN system entities is required.

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.