Research Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF prides itself on its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The consultancy role is focused on providing technical assistance to the UNICEF Tanzania health team, specifically aimed at the submission and publishing of twelve manuscripts based on data collected from 2020 to 202

• The consultant will work closely with the UNICEF team and other stakeholders involved in the research. The role involves refining existing draft manuscripts, analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, and developing new manuscripts based on various studies and assessments. The consultant will also manage consultations with co-authors and provide administrative support for the submission processes, ensuring that the findings from the research are synthesized into manuscripts relevant to the global health and development community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Review available data, reports, and draft manuscripts to create a detailed work plan.
• Finalize the development of existing draft manuscripts, focusing on enhancing the literature review, findings, and discussion sections.
• Analyze and/or re-analyze quantitative data to develop focused manuscripts from larger reports and datasets.
• Analyze and/or re-analyze qualitative data for the same purpose.
• Develop new manuscripts based on conducted studies, assessments, and reviews.
• Manage consultations and input from co-authors through email and virtual meetings.
• Propose relevant journals for manuscript submission and provide administrative support throughout the submission process.
• Review protocols and reports from ongoing research studies to ensure quality and adherence to standards.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in Health systems, epidemiology, maternal and newborn health, primary health care, or a related field is required.
• A PhD is desirable.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in health research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• Proven track record as the first author on at least four peer-reviewed publications relevant to the consultancy scope.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to manage complex processes and large volumes of information.
• Excellent engagement skills to effectively solicit input from co-authors.
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to guidance from the contract manager.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree in a relevant field such as Health systems, epidemiology, maternal and newborn health, or primary health care. A PhD is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6 years of experience in health research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This experience should include a strong background in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, as well as familiarity with implementation research and its associated theories and frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with proven strong writing skills. While English is the primary language required for this position, additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly stated as necessary.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be conducted within a specified timeframe, with deliverables tied to payment percentages. The position may involve working under time pressure and requires the consultant to be available during the indicated period. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities. The organization offers various benefits, including paid parental leave and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct and is committed to safeguarding the rights of children.