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 fulfill 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, answers

UNICEF's Global Office of Research and Foresight undertakes high quality research contributing to evidence-informed policy making by UNICEF and its partners. The Office is collaborating with UNICEF Tunisia on child sensitive social protection research that seeks to generate evidence on the disability benefits provided by the Tunisian government to vulnerable families with children with disabilities. A mixed-method study will therefore be conducted to investigate the additional costs associated with raising a child with disability in the Tunisian context in order to assess the adequacy of the disability benefits for children with disabilities and, more broadly, to inform the Tunisian social protection system.

UNICEF Innocenti - Global Office of Research and Foresight

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of the consultancy is to support a mixed-method study on the costs of raising a child with disability in Tunisia.

Major areas of work and responsibilities

Under the study’s phase 1:

• Contribution to the whole study design and design of the quantitative component’s methodology: along the principal investigator, define the a) whole study design (mixed-method research questions and approach to data collection and analysis) and b) design the quantitative component to feed into the study protocol.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of a Research Specialist.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  GORaF_ToR_SEP_TUNISIA CWD_quant consultant_phase 1 EXT.pdf

The Terms of Reference relate to the first phase of the study, covering the design stage and the qualitative component of the study.  From September 2025 to June 2026, there will be a second phase related to the quantitative component of the study.

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

• A Doctorate degree (PhD) in  social sciences, economics, education, public/social policy, public health or related field.   
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in conductive empirical research using quantitative methodologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social research designs, survey questionnaire design and development.
• Excellent econometric skills used on large scale survey data sets, including advanced Stata skills.
• Demonstrated experience with mixed-method research.
• Demonstrated experience in research in low- and middle-income contexts.
• Ability to speak and write fluently in French. English comprehension (English is the working language at Innocenti).
• Ability to organize own work and to carry out a research project with limited supervision according to deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a research team in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is desirable. 
• Expertise in social protection and/or disability research is desirable.
• Research experience in Tunisia and/or MENA region is desirable.

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. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

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 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.