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 Title: Youth Investment Case Consultant – Generation Unlimited  

Division/Duty Station: Generation Unlimited, Programme Group    

Duration: 15 October 2025 – 31 July 2026

Home/ Office Based: Remote

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director Programmes, and direct supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist, and working closely with the Senior Advisor for Global Programmes, and in collaboration with the Generation Unlimited (GenU) Programme Team, the Youth Investment Case Consultant will synthesize a knowledge product to provide a robust, evidence-based “Investment Case” targeted at global decision-makers, with the aim to mobilize substantial resources to support youth transitions from learning to earning across the world, in accordance with the collaboration between UNICEF Generation Unlimited and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). The consultant will facilitate research, synthesis, drafting, and stakeholder coordination required for the development of the investment case during October 2025 to July 2026

Scope of Work:

• Report Conceptualization: The consultant will update the concept note developed as part of IsDB-UNICEF GenU collaboration and ensure that it aligns with the agreed objectives and emerging literature. They will also operationalize the concept note by developing a detailed work plan that specifies timelines, deliverables, and responsibilities for the entire process.  
• Research and Evidence Gathering: The consultant will design and then conduct a rigorous rapid literature review of existing publications on youth skills and livelihoods to establish a robust evidence base. They will identify gaps in the knowledge landscape and analyze investment trends, ensuring the investment case addresses areas of unmet needs and opportunities at the global level.
• Partner Outreach and Coordination: The consultant will engage with key stakeholders, including contributors and members of the steering committee, to collect insights and data for the compendium. They will coordinate with partners (e.g. IsDB Departments, Multilateral Development Banks, private sector, civil society, think-tanks, youth organizations etc.) to ensure inputs are aligned with the agreed objectives and convene, plan, and execute strategic alignment meetings every four weeks to maintain momentum and coherence across all contributions.
• Knowledge Synthesis: The consultant will develop an outline and structure for the investment case and draft the various sections of the report, while also supporting partners in the development of compendium chapters by providing technical guidance, capacity support, or resource inputs as needed. This will build on the existing proposed structure, which includes: (1) Executive Summary, (2) Introduction, (3) Situation of Youth, (4) Analysis, (5) Recommendations, and (5) Conclusions.
• Compilation, Review, and Publication: The consultant will collate and refine drafts based on feedback from GenU, IsDB, and partners. They will facilitate copy-editing, graphic design, and approval processes leading to the publication of both the Extended Abstract and the full Investment Case. Additionally, they will support the development of communication materials and a policy brief, to ensure effective dissemination of the investment case

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline

1.  Develop Work Plan and Extended Outline, and Design of Rapid Literature Review 

-  Work plan, including extended outline, completed and design of rapid literature review 

3 November 2025

2. Develop Literature Summary 

-  Literature summary completed 

28 November 2025

3. Develop First draft of investment case 

-  First draft of investment case completed 

10 December 2025

4.  Develop Second draft of investment case, incorporating feedback from first draft 

- Second draft of investment case completed, with all feedback from previous draft addressed 

27 February 2026

5.  Develop and finalize Extended abstract 

-  Extended abstract developed 

1 April 2026

6.  Develop Final draft of completed investment case 

-  Final draft of completed investment case developed 

15 April 2026

7.  Develop communication pack containing summary presentation of key findings, coordination and consultation reports 

-  Communication pack developed 

30 May 2026 

8.  Develop a short policy brief on a specified topic (e.g. entrepreneurship) identified in the report 

- Policy brief developed 

31 July 2026

Qualifications

Education: 

A Master’s degree in in social science, education, international relations, political science, communications, international development, business administration or other relevant disciplines is required. A PhD degree is considered an asset. 

Language Proficiency: 

Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively professional experience at the national and international levels in international development, knowledge management, thought leadership, programme management, or research mobilization is desired.  

• Experience in developing knowledge products, particularly in the education, youth skills and livelihoods, or development finance space.   

• Experience working in complex environments with multiple stakeholders.  

• Strong IT skills and fluency with Microsoft Office Suites, SharePoint, Graphic design software, and other programmes is highly desired.   

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.