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 is known for its passionate culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The position of Research Consultant at UNICEF focuses on addressing critical questions regarding children's rights and welfare through research. The role involves engaging in mixed methods and implementation research, particularly in areas such as cash transfers, social protection, and harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). The consultant will be expected to evaluate health and development programs targeting adolescent girls, facilitate research workshops, and develop tools for knowledge translation to enhance the use of research in policy and programming. The consultant will play a vital role in supporting UNICEF Innocenti's Gender, Rights, and Protection team in their mission to eliminate harmful practices and improve the lives of children globally.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Research Consultant will be responsible for conducting quantitative and qualitative evaluations of cash transfer and social protection interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. They will evaluate health and development programs aimed at adolescent girls, focusing on gender issues and conducting systematic and scoping reviews of mixed methods research. The consultant will also support country and regional-level research on harmful practices, including methodological design, data analysis, and interpretation. Additionally, they will facilitate research workshops, engage with stakeholders, and develop knowledge translation tools to strengthen the use of research in policy and programming. The consultant will be expected to collaborate with various teams and contribute to the production of high-level reports and policy papers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in mixed methods research, particularly in the context of cash transfers, social protection, and harmful practices affecting children. They should have experience in evaluating health and development programs, with a focus on gender and adolescent girls. Skills in research facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation are essential. Familiarity with UNICEF's core values and competencies is also required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively and strategically in a complex environment.

Educational Background:
A master's degree or higher in social sciences, public health, international development, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a strong academic background that supports their research capabilities and understanding of the issues affecting children and adolescents.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in mixed methods research, particularly in the areas of cash transfers, social protection, and harmful practices. Experience in conducting evaluations and research in low- and middle-income countries is highly desirable. The role requires a proven track record of engaging with stakeholders and facilitating research workshops, as well as experience in developing tools for knowledge translation.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in additional languages relevant to the regions of focus is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate strong communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey research findings and engage with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
The position is remote, and UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and may be required to provide additional information for verification. Appointments may be subject to vaccination requirements, including against COVID-1

• UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those with disabilities, and provides reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.