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, hope! 

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Frontier Data Communication, Analysis and Engineering Support Consultant- DAT, DAPM.

Section/Division/Duty Station: Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM), New York HQ 

Duration: June 4, 2025 to June 3, 2028

Home/ Office Based: REMOTE

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. 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.

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:  

For UNICEF, leveraging and generating new sources of real-time information is a strategic priority within the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning, and Monitoring (DAPM) work plan. This approach enhances data-driven decision-making to support development and humanitarian efforts more effectively.

Within DAPM, UNICEF's Computational Analytics and Geospatial Intelligence (CAGI) is a hands-on team of engineers, data scientists and data practitioners helping push the boundaries of what is possible with data at UNICEF. With a strong focus on actionable and sustainable data science innovation, CAGI is a core champion and founder of UNICEF’s Frontier Data Network (FDN), a global initiative to connect, share and ensure UNICEF harnesses the potential of frontier data technologies in an ethical way. FDN promotes actionable communities of practice on AI, applied sciences and new data technologies, within UNICEF and externally, for a new generation of talent and technologies able to support data-driven and science-based decision-making and a more equitable, fair and fulfilling future for children and humanity. 

UNICEF’s Frontier Data Network is seeking to hire an individual who can support the team in different key tasks and projects of data communication, analysis and engineering. We are looking for an impact-driven, creative and team player with initiative and expertise who can work, with senior supervision, on different data areas to deliver joint value, create a common narrative and support specific projects, helping the team holistically to achieve impact, realize opportunity and reach key partners and champions.

FDN is looking for a driven and data-savvy person to support work within the data communication and the frontier data and tech team. In this execution-oriented role and under the joint supervision of the Principal Researcher and the Data Communication Lead, the consultant will also collaborate closely with other divisions (especially the Office of Innovation and ICTD). Particularly, support is required across three Frontier Data Network portfolio lines, all of which aim to leverage innovative solutions for humanitarian and development challenges:  

1 Ahead of the Storm – Focuses on monitoring, forecasting and assessing hurricane impacts. 

2 Children on the Move– Addresses issues of migration flows and displacement, requiring comprehensive data and analytical approaches to inform child-focused interventions.  

3 GenAI in the Data Lifecycle – Explores how generative AI methods can enhance various phases of data collection, cleaning, analysis, and dissemination.  

There’s currently no sufficient funding to cover all planned activities that continue until 2028. Some deliverables are planned to be completed if additional resources become available.

Terms of Reference / Specific Deliverables

Preliminary Research & Landscape Mapping

1 report: conducting a state-of-the-art scan of at least, the 10 most relevant datasets, tools, and ongoing initiatives of a portfolio line topic. July 6, 2025

1 report: conducting a state-of-the-art scan of at least, the 10 most relevant datasets, tools, and ongoing initiatives of a portfolio line topic. July 6, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

1 report: conducting a state-of-the-art scan of at least, the 10 most relevant datasets, tools, and ongoing initiatives of a portfolio line topic. July 6, 2027

Preliminary Research & Landscape Mapping

1 report: Synthesizing findings to highlight opportunities, challenges, data needs and potential areas for further exploration of a portfolio line topic. – Nov. 30, 2025

1 report: Synthesizing findings to highlight opportunities, challenges, data needs and potential areas for further exploration of a portfolio line topic. Nov. 30, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

1 report: Synthesizing findings to highlight opportunities, challenges, data needs and potential areas for further exploration of a portfolio line topic. Nov.  30, 2027

Data Science & Exploratory Analysis

2 data exploratory analyses (e.g., data profiling, visualization, trend analysis,), data preparation, cleaning and documentation/report/slide Deck ready to reuse by the team (on GitHub or internal shared file system). Analysis will highlight data quality issues, gaps, viability of techniques and potential value for the portfolio lines. September 26, 2025

2 data exploratory analyses (e.g., data profiling, visualization, trend analysis,), data preparation, cleaning and documentation/report/slide Deck ready to reuse by the team (on GitHub or internal shared file system). Analysis will highlight data quality issues, gaps, viability of techniques and potential value for the portfolio lines. September 26, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

2 data exploratory analyses (e.g., data profiling, visualization, trend analysis,), data preparation, cleaning and documentation/report/slide Deck ready to reuse by the team (on GitHub or internal shared file system). Analysis will highlight data quality issues, gaps, viability of techniques and potential value for the portfolio lines. September 26, 2027

Data Science & Exploratory Analysis

1 method exploratory analyses.  Conduct analysis piloting advanced methods (machine learning, geospatial analysis, computational modelling) for portfolio lines that could be scaled or adapted for deeper investigation in the form of a presentation or report. Analysis includes 3 iterations with team members, refining methods, discussing results and adjusting analysis iteratively. Final result includes clean and documented code and report (doc or slides) of results. March 14, 2026 

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

1 method exploratory analyses.  Conduct analysis piloting advanced methods (machine learning, geospatial analysis, computational modelling) for portfolio lines that could be scaled or adapted for deeper investigation in the form of a presentation or report. Analysis includes 3 iterations with team members, refining methods, discussing results and adjusting analysis iteratively. Final result includes clean and documented code and report (doc or slides) of results. March 14, 2027

1 method exploratory analyses.  Conduct analysis piloting advanced methods (machine learning, geospatial analysis, computational modelling) for portfolio lines that could be scaled or adapted for deeper investigation in the form of a presentation or report. Analysis includes 3 iterations with team members, refining methods, discussing results and adjusting analysis iteratively. Final result includes clean and documented code and report (doc or slides) of results. March 14, 2028

Data Engineering & Integration

Develop or refine 3 processes for data ingestion, cleaning, and transformation that can accommodate diverse datasets across the three portfolio lines. Ensure these processes are documented with clear guidelines, tested on sample datasets, and optimized for efficiency and scalability. ETLs in Python, documented and commented. Dec. 19, 2025

Develop or refine 3 processes for data ingestion, cleaning, and transformation that can accommodate diverse datasets across the three portfolio lines. Ensure these processes are documented with clear guidelines, tested on sample datasets, and optimized for efficiency and scalability. ETLs in Python, documented and commented. Dec.19, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable

Develop or refine 3 processes for data ingestion, cleaning, and transformation that can accommodate diverse datasets across the three portfolio lines. Ensure these processes are documented with clear guidelines, tested on sample datasets, and optimized for efficiency and scalability. ETLs in Python, documented and commented. Dec. 19, 2027

Data Engineering & Integration

Document and share guidelines for integrating new sources (e.g., open data, partner data) into existing platforms (e.g., UNICEF Data Warehouse, GeoSight, ArcGIS Portal).  The guidelines (slide deck or word document) should include standardized procedures, data quality criteria, and integration workflows. Conduct at least one training or knowledge-sharing session to facilitate adoption and implementation. June 2, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

Document and share guidelines for integrating new sources (e.g., open data, partner data) into existing platforms (e.g., UNICEF Data Warehouse, GeoSight, ArcGIS Portal).  The guidelines (slide deck or word document) should include standardized procedures, data quality criteria, and integration workflows. Conduct at least one training or knowledge-sharing session to facilitate adoption and implementation. June 2, 2027

Document and share guidelines for integrating new sources (e.g., open data, partner data) into existing platforms (e.g., UNICEF Data Warehouse, GeoSight, ArcGIS Portal).  The guidelines (slide deck or word document) should include standardized procedures, data quality criteria, and integration workflows. Conduct at least one training or knowledge-sharing session to facilitate adoption and implementation. June 3, 2028

Partnerships & Collaboration

Organizing at least 5 activities, among internal (e.g., OoI, ICTD) and external partners (e.g., MIT Sloan). Preparation of resources for the activities, provide timely communication and final summary of the activity. Aug. 15, 2025

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

Organizing at least 5 activities, among internal (e.g., OoI, ICTD) and external partners (e.g., MIT Sloan). Preparation of resources for the activities, provide timely communication and final summary of the activity. Aug. 15, 2026 

Organizing at least 5 activities, among internal (e.g., OoI, ICTD) and external partners (e.g., MIT Sloan). Preparation of resources for the activities, provide timely communication and final summary of the activity. Aug. 15, 2027

Partnerships & Collaboration

Facilitating and organizing 2 collaborative events (e.g., panels, workshops, hackathons) that bring together internal and external experts to explore opportunities within the portfolio lines. Produce preparation materials (slide deck/doc for: organization, logistics and content) and communication material (doc) Feb. 15, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

Facilitating and organizing 2 collaborative events (e.g., panels, workshops, hackathons) that bring together internal and external experts to explore opportunities within the portfolio lines. Produce preparation materials (slidedeck/doc for: organization, logistics and content) and communication material (doc) Feb. 15, 2027

Facilitating and organizing 2 collaborative events (e.g., panels, workshops, hackathons) that bring together internal and external experts to explore opportunities within the portfolio lines. Produce preparation materials (slide deck/doc for: organization, logistics and content) and communication material (doc) Feb. 15, 2028

Data Communication 

Two educational/promotional resources (e.g., videos, blog posts, social media content, flyers, posters, intranet pages, or portfolio items) created and publicized monthly.  

At least 5 content updates to mics.unicef.org and data.unicef.org on a bi-weekly basis

12 monthly mailing lists updates to ensure effective segmentation, accuracy and up-to-date subscriber information. 

At least 24 email outreach campaigns including measuring and reporting key metrics (open rates, click-through rates, engagement rates) to evaluate effectiveness and inform future strategies initiated - May 3, 2026

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

Two educational/promotional resources (e.g., videos, blog posts, social media content, flyers, posters, intranet pages, or portfolio items) created and publicized monthly.  

At least 5 content updates to mics.unicef.org and data.unicef.org on a bi-weekly basis

12 monthly mailing lists updates to ensure effective segmentation, accuracy and up-to-date subscriber information. 

At least 24 email outreach campaigns including measuring and reporting key metrics (open rates, click-through rates, engagement rates) to evaluate effectiveness and inform future strategies initiated - May 3, 2027

Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable:  

Two educational/promotional resources (e.g., videos, blog posts, social media content, flyers, posters, intranet pages, or portfolio items) created and publicized monthly.  

At least 5 content updates to mics.unicef.org and data.unicef.org on a bi-weekly basis

12 monthly mailing lists updates to ensure effective segmentation, accuracy and up-to-date subscriber information. 

At least 24 email outreach campaigns including measuring and reporting key metrics (open rates, click-through rates, engagement rates) to evaluate effectiveness and inform future strategies initiated - May 3, 2028

Travel International (if applicable)

Funding to be confirmed. (December 5, 2026, to June 4, 2028) Round trip economy in Europe (Spain/Italy)  

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, data science, or a similarly relevant field.

Language Proficiency: 

Fluency in English is required. Working proficiency of another official UN language is highly desirable. 

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: 

- One year experience in data engineering, including knowledge of data exchange standards like SDMX and; experience using and testing APIs, creating ETLs and analytical data pipelines.

- Experience using with GitHub is a must.  

- Experience or strong understanding of geospatial data and remote sensing technologies, relevant tools like ArcGIS or Carto and familiarity with geospatial data like points, shapefiles, raster and satellite imagery/remote sensing layers. 

- Familiarity with Earth Observation data and satellite startup ecosystem is a plus, in particular, high-resolution InfraRed and other advanced earth observation sensors. 

- Experience/ or strong understanding of reporting on qualitative and performing data analytics.

- Python and Databricks experience are a plus. 

- Experience in data visualization and relevant data visualization tools such as Tableau. Ability to create engaging and compelling designs for digital media outreach. 

- Experience producing communication assets: web design, posters, flyers, reports, social media, outreach material etc.

- Experience with video/visual media production is a plus. 

- Familiarity with large conflict/humanitarian datasets (as HDX, ACLED and high-resolution population datasets like GRID3 or WorldPop). 

- Excellent oral and written communication skills, initiative, flexibility and willingness to learn.   

- Have excellent academic performance (as demonstrated by university or institution records).  

- Experience working for/with the UN/UNICEF a plus 

- Experience in managing large scale websites on Drupal and Wordpress CMS 

- Additional consideration will be given to any past professional experience in data visualization and data analysis.  

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 

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.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. 

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.