Safe to Learn Benchmarking Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting and protecting children's rights globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years and works in 190 countries and territories. The organization is the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries and focuses on child health, nutrition, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 12,000 employees, UNICEF operates in more than 145 countries, relying entirely on voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments to fund its initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Safe to Learn Benchmarking Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Safe to Learn initiative, which aims to end violence in and around schools. This global initiative, hosted by UNICEF, collaborates with governments, civil society, and international partners to create safe learning environments for children. The consultant will be responsible for updating benchmarking assessments for countries that have endorsed the Safe to Learn Call to Action, as well as conducting initial assessments for newly joined countries. The consultant's work will involve generating evidence, advocating for policy changes, and facilitating coordinated actions across education and child protection sectors. The role requires a deep understanding of violence prevention and response in educational settings, as well as the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct Safe to Learn benchmarking assessments in endorsed countries, focusing on the five components of the Call to Action.
• Develop short narratives and evidence-based rankings for each of the 15 benchmarks.
• Collaborate with UNICEF Country Offices and STL coalition partners to gather necessary materials and feedback.
• Finalize and publish benchmarking assessments, ensuring alignment with government approval processes.
• Create summary country briefs that present key updates and progress in a reader-friendly format, including visuals.
• Share actionable insights on violence against children in schools and recommendations for policy improvements.
• Organize and facilitate a global webinar to share lessons learned from the benchmarking assessments.
• Ensure that all deliverables meet UNICEF's organizational standards and are submitted on time.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in child protection, education, social work, international development, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in education or child protection, specifically focusing on violence prevention and response.
• Demonstrated understanding of gender and inclusion principles.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and research methodologies.
• Proficiency in consolidating complex information from multiple sources into clear, structured reports.
• Strong written communication skills, capable of producing both technical and non-technical documents.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, multicultural, and collaborative environment.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as child protection, education, social work, or international development. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the Safe to Learn initiative and its objectives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the fields of education or child protection, with a specific focus on violence prevention and response. This experience should include a demonstrated ability to work with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and international organizations, to implement effective strategies and programs aimed at protecting children in educational settings.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in French or Spanish is desirable, as it will enhance communication with a broader range of stakeholders and partners involved in the Safe to Learn initiative.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to last from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027, with specific deliverables due at various intervals throughout this period. The consultant will be expected to work remotely, and UNICEF will cover any emergent travel costs if required. Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and submit their academic credentials along with a financial proposal detailing costs for each deliverable. Payment will be contingent upon the satisfactory completion of deliverables, and UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if standards are not met. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF promotes a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.