UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to answers

Children live in a world going through rapid change – from rising conflict to digital disruption and from mounting debt crises to climate shocks. To understand the challenges and opportunities children face, and to set effective strategies for progress, high-quality evidence has never been more vital.

UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti works to provide that evidence and to guide UNICEF to deliver results for children. We are inspired by the belief that stronger evidence leads to better decisions, and better decisions mean better lives for children.

UNICEF Innocenti | Office of Strategy and Evidence Innocenti

How can you make a difference? 

The expert consultants with LTAs will make an important contribution to one of UNICEF Innocenti’s strategic priorities to “support and promote children and young people's participation in generating primary data and contribute to research and foresight exercises—ensuring their voices shape the evidence and the solutions.”
* Please note that throughout this document, “child” refers to a person under the age of 18 years.

Under the overall guidance of a research manager or research specialist, for each contract offered under the LTA, the consultant will perform one or more of the following tasks:
• Design child participatory research studies to answer specified research questions, either as stand-alone projects or as components or phases of larger project. This design work is likely to include working with children.
• Pilot child participatory research studies and make necessary adjustments based on learning from the pilot, preparing final research materials including documentation for submissions to ethical review boards and toolkits for training.
• Provide training and support to other researchers and/or UNICEF staff in conducting child participatory research studies. This may be done online or in person. Training and support may be needed not only to prepare for fieldwork but also in the analysis and interpretation of data and preparation of results.
• Conduct child participatory research studies, including field work, analysis and interpretation, writing of research outputs and dissemination of results.

Each contract offered under the LTA may either be based on days or deliverables. In the latter case, examples of deliverables are:
• Research tools, guidance and toolkits
• Training and support delivered to UNICEF staff and internal/external researchers
• Write-ups of analysis and interpretation of data
• Reports and other research outputs
• Presentations and other forms of dissemination

If you would like to know more about this opportunity, please review the complete Job Description here:  OSE-Innocenti_ToR_LTA_ChildParticipatoryResearch_Final_030726 EXT.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Educated to at least Master’s degree level. The Masters should have included a substantial component of either qualitative research and/or children’s studies.

Work Experience: 

Group 1 (assessed at desk review)
• At least 5 years demonstrable experience of undertaking qualitative research with children
• Substantial demonstrable experience of undertaking participatory work with children
• Experience of undertaking research field work with children in a range of contexts including in the Global South.
• Experience of training and supporting research fieldwork staff.
• Stated fluency in English and at least one additional language.

Group 2 (assessed at interview)
• A high-level of understanding of qualitative research methodologies including participatory methods
• A strong understanding of ethical principles and practices in undertaking research with children
• Strong interpersonal skills including developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills in English
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Availability and ability to do international travel assignments of 1 to 2 weeks

Language Requirements: English

Desirables:

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Remarks:  

Qualified candidates are warmly invited to read the above Terms of Reference before applying and submit the required documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System).

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 Individual 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. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.