Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: Senior Researcher Consultant

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

Duration: June 5, 2025 to October 6, 2027

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, it is strategic within the Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) work plan, to use and generate new sources of real-time information to better inform decision makers in the development and humanitarian ecosystem. To be able to do this, DAPM has created the Frontier Data Network (FDN), a global initiative to connect, share and ensure UNICEF harnesses the potential of frontier data technologies in an ethical way. The focus is on capacity building, coaching, and facilitation, integrated in a community of practice model that facilitates the collaboration with partners and collaborators everywhere.

UNICEF ́s Frontier Data Tech Team is seeking to hire a senior researcher to identify and drive analysis and research on key portfolio areas such as AI for climate change, humanitarian action, generative AI, algorithmic equity and public health emergencies as well as to support key scientific engagements, mobilization and collaborations. An impact driven, creative and team player person with initiative, technical expertise and writing skills that can help us identify and achieve impact, relevance, opportunity and potential partners through research and applied science.

This undertaking is about reinforcing UNICEF's commitment to data-driven decision-making and ensuring that every action taken by the organization is guided by a steadfast dedication to advancing the rights and well-being of children worldwide. Through this work, UNICEF aims to leverage cutting-edge data science and artificial intelligence technologies to enhance decision-making in both development and humanitarian settings. This consultancy aims to strengthen UNICEF’s scientific and research capabilities in the domains of Generative AI, machine learning, and natural language processing for addressing challenging in the domains of children on the move, environmental emergencies, as well as assessment of biases in data and methodologies. The consultant will undertake research and applied data science analysis to drive forward UNICEF’s innovation agenda in key focus areas. The main objectives of this consultancy are:

-To explore and propose methods based on Generative AI to enhance data-driven decision-making, improve predictiveanalytics, and optimize content generation for UNICEF’s data platforms.

-To analyse migration trends, patterns, and humanitarian implications using large-scale datasets and advanced datamodelling techniques.

- To develop and enhance early alert systems for environmental emergencies by integrating real-time data sources, predictive modelling, and geospatial analysis.

-To contribute to the assessment and monitoring of progress towards SDGs, leveraging big data, AI-driven analytics, and impact assessments.

-This work builds on an existing suite of frontier data technology projects and complements ongoing development of a portfolio of frontier data analytics through the Frontier Data Network.

The work requires deliverable support in the following 5 areas:

1) Structure scientific questions on frontier data tech applied to areas such as migration and displacement, humanitarian response and preparedness, automatic content generation, and sustainable development goals. This implies a) to identify and develop key scientific questions in frontier data technologies; b) to interact with internal and external experts, leveraging UNICEF’s frontier data network to curate and structure the most impactful scientific questions on frontier data technologies to develop key portfolio areas for children on the move aiming to improve humanitarian action employing machine learning and state of the art techniques, while accounting for data and algorithmic equity; c) to develop key scientific collaborations, analysing impact, relevance, opportunity moment, potential partners and stakeholders in topics relating to migration and displacement, humanitarian response and preparedness, automatic content generation, and sustainable development goals.

2) Identify and help UNICEF to engage with academia/ research strategic partners opportunities. This implies a) scholar development of scientific proposals, and project plans; b) building on the identified key portfolio questions, scholars, collaborate with internal and external experts in terms of the scientific solidity to develop actionable proposals, and project plans. These efforts should mobilize key scientific partners and communities towards targeted impact areas, including initiatives such as Spanish/European and Latin American talent collaboration.

3) Develop communication and dissemination materials. This is to create materials that communicate scientific priorities, research efforts, and impact. These include blog posts, presentations, and concept notes aimed at engaging scientific communities and stakeholders.

4) Develop impact science initiatives and peer-reviewed research. This is to collaborate with internal and external researchers to advance applied and scientific research with measurable impact. This includes both direct, on-the-ground applications influencing UNICEF’s operations and high-impact academic contributions. The scientific outputs should be collaborative, peer-reviewed, and submitted to top-tier journals.

5) Plan and organize events for positioning UNICEF in frontier data science. Facilitate events that showcase UNICEF’s work in frontier data technologies and engage global scientific talent. This includes workshops at major scientific conferences (e.g., Complex Systems Society, NeurIPS, NetSci, SIGCHI) and producing video, podcast, or talk series featuring key experts in the field.

Terms of Reference / Specific Deliverables

Develop compendium with key applied science, AI and frontier data technologies developments, opportunities and challenges

- IDAC compendium: Consulting and collaborating with experts, coordinating with FDN core team and under the supervision of FDN´s principal researcher and the IDAC innovation working group chairs, develop a compendium of key AI and data tech areas, challenges and opportunities for Data on Children on the move

December 2, 2025

- FDN compendium: portfolio report/compendium of key AI and data tech areas, challenges and opportunities for FDN use case (Ahead of the Storm, AI in the data life cycle)

December 15, 2026

IDAC: Development of scientific proposals, and project plans

- Building from IDAC’s 4-5 webinars and incorporating inputs from experts; FDN; and FDN and IDAC partners, develop 3 pilot proposals with project plans, including scientific background, potential partners and frontier data challenges. Deliverable: 2-5 pages document explaining the pilot and ppt-presentation to disseminate it.

August 28,2025

- Developed 3 Scientific proposals and project plans, including plans for scientific mobilization and frontier data challenges

September 28, 2026

AotS, DAITA: Development of scientific proposals, and project plans

- Building from Ahead of the Storm and AI in the data life cycle initiatives develop 3 pilot proposals and project plans, including scientific background, potential partners and frontier data challenges. Deliverable: 2-5 pages document explaining the pilot and presentation to disseminate it.

October 16, 2025

- Developed 3 Scientific proposals and project plans, including plans for scientific mobilization and frontier data challenges

July 10, 2027

FDN#1: Develop applied science project/analysis

- In coordination with principal researcher and working with FDN team and academic partners:

- Work with junior analysts on analysis for scientific proposals of FDN use case #1 (IDAC) : data preparation, method development, analysis, comparison and interpretation of results. Deliverable: data and code used, technical report and slide-deck for communicating methods and most relevant result

September 20, 2025

- Work with junior analysts on analysis for scientific proposals of FDN use case #1: data preparation, method development, analysis, comparison and interpretation of results. Deliverable: data and code used, technical report and slide-deck for communicating methods and most relevant result

March 25, 2027

FDN#2: Develop applied science project/analysis In coordination with principal researcher and working with 

- FDN team and academic partners as per use case FDN #1 but for FDN use case #2 (Ahead of the Storm):

- Work with junior analysts on analysis for scientific proposals of FDN use case #2 : data preparation, method development, analysis, comparison and interpretation of results. Deliverable: data and code used, technical report and slide-deck for communicating methods and most relevant result

August 25, 2025

- Work with junior analysts on analysis for scientific proposals of FDN use case #2. Deliverable: data and code used, technical report and slide-deck for communicating methods and most relevant result

September 28, 2026

FDN#3: Develop applied science project/analysis

- As before but for FDN use case #3 (AI in the Data Lifecycle):

- In coordination with principal researcher and working with FDN team and academic partners as per use case FDN #1 and #2 but for FDN use case #3 (AI in the Data Lifecycle):

- Work with junior analysts on analysis for scientific proposals of FDN use case #3: data preparation, method development, analysis, comparison and interpretation of results. Deliverable: data and code used, technical report and slide-deck for communicating methods and most relevant result

February 20, 2026

- Work of junior analysts) analysis for scientific proposals of FDN use case #3. Deliverable: data and code used, technical report and slide-deck for communicating methods and most relevant result

February 20, 2027

Develop communication, promotion and dissemination materials

- Develop 5 Blog posts/1-pagers/cases for communicating, promoting and disseminating results, impact and work of key FDN pilots, initiatives and collaborations with scientific partners.

June 20, 2026

- Develop 5 Blog posts/1-pagers for communicating and disseminating FDN work

October 6, 2027

Develop events for community building and dissemination of frontier data applied science

- Assist the technical organization of 5 webinars for FDN use cases (IDAC): develop agenda, identify presenters and support on content creation and development of dissemination material (blogpost, tweets…)

December 15, 2025

- Assist the technical organization of 5 webinars for FDN use cases

November 15, 2026

Develop event for FDN#1

- Facilitate the technical organization of workshop/conference on FDN use case #1 (Ahead of the Storm), support with developing agenda, content, identifying and inviting participants, presenters and stakeholders and in compiling outputs

February 21, 2026

- Facilitate the technical organization of workshop/conference on FDN use case #1

February 20, 2027

Develop event for FDN#2

- Support the technical organization of workshops/conference on FDN use case #2, support with developing agenda, content, identifying and inviting participants, presenters and stakeholders and in compiling outputs

June 6, 2026

- Funding to be confirmed for the deliverable: Support the technical organization of workshop/conference on FDN use case #2

June 6, 2027

Qualifications

(1) Education

• PhD degree in computer science, data science, applied mathematics, or equivalent degree.

Language Proficiency: 

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

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required: 

• 8 years of relevant experience in Machine Learning/ Artificial Intelligence /LLM, Network Science, Computational optimization, Complex Systems, Data Science and Natural Language processing

• Have academic publications (papers) in recognized journals

• Have excellent academic performance can be an asset (this can be demonstrated by university or institution records)

• Have experience working in the UN system is a plus.

• Have organized international workshops/conferences/event with research/academia stakeholders.

• Valuing teamwork and collaboration including the ability to foster excellent work relationships and to build alliances with multi‐cultural and multi‐disciplinary stakeholders simultaneously.

• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting sometimes inflexible deadlines.

• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions

Requirements: 

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and 

- Upload copy of academic credentials 

- Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

o the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.

o travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR. 

o Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.

o 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.