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: Consultant to Simplify UNICEF Eco-Reporting Systems

Duty Station: DAPM/PET

Duration: 20 December 2025 - 30 July 2026

Home/ Office Based: Remote

 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment:

UNICEF operates within a complex reporting environment, with multiple requirements across different organizational levels and at various points throughout the year. Over time, these reporting processes have become increasingly fragmented, characterized by overlapping data needs, differing timelines, and duplication of effort. Staff across offices spend considerable time reformatting and repackaging similar information to meet diverse internal and external reporting demands, resulting in inefficiencies and diverting attention from analytical and strategic work.

Recognizing these challenges, UNICEF seeks to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive review of its eco-reporting functions, requirements, and related systems. The consultancy will identify opportunities to streamline, simplify, and harmonize reporting processes and systems across the organization—reducing redundancies, alleviating staff workload, and enhancing data coherence and flow. The expected outcome is a more integrated and efficient reporting ecosystem that allows data to flow seamlessly across dashboards and systems, eliminating repetitive data entry and enabling the strategic use of artificial intelligence to support data summarization, analysis, and accessibility for end users.

Scope of Work:

In collaboration with various divisions (DFAM, DAPM, PG, PPD and others), the consultant will perform the following:

 1. Diagnostic Review and Mapping

• Map all internal and external reporting requirements across UNICEF across HQ divisions, regional and country offices level in UNICEF, their mandatory and optional reequipments, data and templates to use, targeting audience and frequencies
• Conduct consultations and FGD with relevant stakeholders.
• Analyze data flows, reporting frequency, and linkages between systems.
• Document staff workload and reporting pain points through consultations and surveys.
• Undertake analysis of country office workflow(s) to draft, review and finalize donor reports and corporate reporting requirements. A sample of 6 offices is to be undertaken.

2. Gap and Duplication Analysis

• Analyze overlaps in indicators, data requirements, and reporting cycles.
• Review how the reporting ecosystem is managed in other UN agencies and other international institutions with comparable size and complexity to UNICEF.
• Evaluate the management of eco-reporting and the extent of its integration into broader reporting processes.
• Assess alignment with UN coherence frameworks and relevant international standards, including IATI.

3. Simplification and Streamlining Proposal

• Recommend simplifications in reporting requirements and structure, particularly for non-mandatory reporting.
• Look for opportunities to utilize existing system and reporting to meet the purposes of donor reporting.
• Propose a model for progressive automation, including optimized data flows, system interoperability, and integration.

4. Roadmap and Implementation Plan

• Develop a step-by-step plan to transition toward the proposed simplified reporting ecosystem.
• Include options for quick wins, medium-term integration, and long-term system rationalization.
• Provide high-level technical specifications and institutional recommendations for future implementation.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables:

Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery

1. Diagnostic Review and Mapping

- Inception Report

28 Feb 2026

-  Mapping of internal and external reporting requirements

31 Mar 2026

-  Consolidated report on the consultations conducted with stakeholder

30 Apr 2026

-  Diagnostic report from 6 sample countries highlighting the different workflows used, gaps and pain pints

31 May 2026

2. Gap and Duplication Analysis

- Analytical report highlighting the gaps, duplication in processes and systems on reporting this include internal ones (RAM, eSitRep) and external reporting (RC report, donor reporting, thematic reporting including humanitarian, EDAR, GAAR)

31 May 2026

-  Overview report of other organization eco reporting

31 May 2026

3. Simplification and Streamlining Proposal

-  A report outlining proposed simplifications in reporting processes and systems, with practical steps for implementation

30 Jun 2026

-  Facilitation of a validation workshop to present findings, gather feedback from key stakeholders, and refine the proposed recommendations

30 Jun 2026

4.  Roadmap and Implementation Plan

-  A detailed roadmap and implementation plan outlining a phased approach to transition toward the proposed simplified reporting ecosystem, including short-term quick wins, medium-term integration actions, and long-term system rationalization measures.

30 Jul 2026

Qualifications

Education:   

Master’s degree in a relevant field such Business Administration, International Development, Social Sciences, or related discipline

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required *:

• Minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience in programme management.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting and managing reporting processes and systems design.
• Strong analytical, report writing, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, combined with advanced interpersonal abilities.
• Proven communication and facilitation skills, with experience leading both virtual and in-person workshops, presentations, and strategic discussions.
• Demonstrated experience in systems design, integration, and process optimization.
• Understanding and practical knowledge of major programming tools and processes, preferably within UNICEF or similar organizations.
• Fluency in English, with excellent writing, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

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.