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 Innocenti regularly requires specialist work, relating to OECD/EU countries, from researchers who have expertise in comparative international research and analysis on issues of child rights and well-being and who can provide support to UNICEF offices on evidence generation and usage.

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 and 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 non-technical audiences.
• Provide expert advice and analysis to UNICEF offices related to the use of research and evidence.

Key deliverables
• Number of days of owed research services
• 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

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

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:

 Innocenti_ToR_LTA_ComparativeResearch EXT.pdf

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics, Social Policy, International Studies and related disciplines
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in social and economic research
• Experience of international comparative research related to child rights and child well-being
• Experience of undertaking research and knowledge of the context in one or more of the following regions covered by the OECD/EU: (a) Americas (Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States); (b) Europe; (c) East Asia and Pacific (Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea).
• Stated ability to work within relevant time zones for one of the above three regional groupings
• Stated fluency (verbal and written) and ability to work at a professional level in English and at least one other official language within the OECD/EU group of countries. (Additional languages will be considered an advantage).
• A track record of publications aimed at policy and general audiences communicating the results of social and economic research.
• Strong written and verbal presentation skills in English.
• Statistical analysis (experience with R is preferred) and interpretation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills including developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills – the ability to organize own work with limited supervision according to deadlines and to organize and monitor the work of others.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

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.