Consultant for Economic Costs of Violence Against Children

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a global organization dedicated to advocating for the protection of children's rights, helping meet their basic needs, and expanding their opportunities to reach their full potential. Established in 1946, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, working to improve the lives of children and their families. The organization focuses on various issues, including health, education, child protection, and emergency response, with a mission to ensure that every child has the right to survive, thrive, and fulfill their potential. UNICEF's work is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and it collaborates with governments, civil society, and other partners to create lasting change for children.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in estimating the economic costs associated with violence against children (VAC) in Brazil, particularly focusing on the welfare costs related to homicides and suicides of children and adolescents. This position requires a deep understanding of microeconometric modeling and the ability to analyze complex datasets from various sources, including national health surveys and administrative records. The consultant will employ statistical and econometric methods to quantify the costs of inaction and the economic benefits of investing in prevention and response strategies. The ultimate goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations that will inform public policy and enhance the prioritization of child protection initiatives in Brazil. The consultant will work closely with UNICEF and the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) to ensure that the findings are robust and actionable, contributing to a broader understanding of the economic implications of VAC.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Estimate the monetary value of welfare loss resulting from premature mortality due to homicides and suicides of children and adolescents in Brazil.
• Map the main health conditions affecting children and adolescents as a direct result of different types of violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, and neglect.
• Calculate Years Lived with Disability (YLD) for each sequela using the formula: YLD = I × DW × L, where 'I' refers to the number of new cases, 'DW' is the Disability Weight, and 'L' is the Duration of Disability.
• Calculate total Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to morbidity and monetize DALYs to estimate the intangible costs.
• Prepare an inception report with a literature review, methodology, and work plan.
• Deliver a preliminary analytical report on welfare costs and quality-of-life losses resulting from VAC.
• Produce a final report, including an executive summary and presentation of results, detailing all findings, analyses, conclusions, and policy recommendations.
• Collaborate with UNICEF and Ipea throughout the consultancy to ensure alignment with project goals and objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Economics or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in microeconometric modeling and handling microdata from governmental bodies.
• Research experience on crime, particularly violence against children and adolescents.
• Advanced programming skills in R or Python.
• Knowledge of geospatial analysis software (e.g., GeoDaSpace) is desirable.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources and produce high-quality, evidence-based reports.
• Strong skills in developing actionable recommendations based on research findings.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and deliver high-quality work within tight deadlines.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as Economics or related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complex economic analyses required for this consultancy.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in microeconometric modeling and handling microdata from governmental bodies. Additional years of experience in related fields will be considered an asset, particularly if they involve research on violence against children and adolescents.

Languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is mandatory, as the consultant will be working with local data and stakeholders. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are also necessary to produce reports and communicate findings effectively.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract will last for 210 days, and candidates are required to submit a financial proposal that includes all-inclusive fees covering administrative costs, travel costs, and subsistence costs. UNICEF emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds. The organization adheres to strict child safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and they must ensure that their visa and health insurance are valid for the entire contract duration.