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

UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight regularly requires specialist work from researchers who have expertise in qualitative research methods and can support various aspects related to the design and implementation of qualitative research.

UNICEF Innocenti | Innocenti Global Office of Research and Foresight

How can you make a difference? 

To provide expert technical services related to the qualitative research activities.

Individual consultants on the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) may be called upon to provide services in one or several of the following four areas:

(1) Research conceptualisation and design;

(2) Implementation and oversight of data collection activities;

(3) Coding and analysis of qualitative data;

(4) Development of research outputs and engagement in dissemination activities.

Contracts offered to consultants on the LTA will be deliverables-based according to the specific needs of the team. Anticipated deliverables could include:

• Development and submission of research designs and protocols
• Development and submission of research tools, guidance and toolkits, this may include analysis plans, coding books, and research implementation plans
• Research implementation in countries (e.g., data collection, analysis)
• Training and support delivered to vendors, 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 position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  GORaF ToR LTA Qual Researchers office-wide EXT.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Educated to at least Master’s degree level in a social science discipline. One year of relevant qualitative research experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Essential experience and skills:
  At least 2 years demonstrable experience undertaking qualitative research
  Experience of qualitative research, including with children, in a range of contexts.
  Good written, verbal and presentation skills in English. A strong and demonstrated understanding of how to apply at least one qualitative research method in practice (e.g., interviews, observational studies/ethnography, participatory research, journey mapping). Strong organizational skills – the ability to organize own work with limited supervision according to deadlines and to organize and monitor the work of others. Strong interpersonal skills including developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.   
• Language Requirements: English

Additional experience and skills

• Experience of working with quantitative data for mixed-methods analysis.
• A strong understanding of research ethics and safeguarding.
• Experience of managing, training or supporting research fieldwork staff.
• Experience of conducting highly sensitive research in complex settings.
• PhD in a relevant subject area
• Experience generating qualitative evidence on the implementation of UNICEF programmes (e.g., programmes on foundational learning, digital learning, inclusive education, child rights, child protection or social policy).
• Experience in communicating with non-technical/policy audiences.
• Experience working in a thematic area related to UNICEF’s work (e.g., Education, Social policy, Gender, Child Protection, Child Rights, Digital engagement or protection)
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills in other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).
• 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

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

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.