Consultant for Quantitative and Mixed-Methods Research

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established to save children's lives and defend their rights, operates in over 190 countries and territories. The organization is dedicated to helping children fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF is known for its commitment to promoting the rights of every child, viewing this mission as a calling rather than just a job. The organization prides itself on fostering a diverse and passionate culture, offering staff opportunities for professional and personal development, and providing an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Digital Engagement and Protection unit at UNICEF Innocenti is focused on conducting rigorous research to understand how digital transformation impacts children's lives. The consultant will play a crucial role in providing expert technical services related to quantitative and mixed-methods research activities. This position involves engaging in various aspects of research, including conceptualization, design, implementation, data analysis, and dissemination of findings. The consultant will be expected to contribute significantly to the research design and ensure high-quality research outputs that can inform UNICEF's initiatives and policies regarding children's digital engagement and protection.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key areas: (1) Research conceptualization and design, ensuring that the research framework aligns with UNICEF's objectives; (2) Implementation and oversight of data collection activities, which includes managing field teams and ensuring adherence to research protocols; (3) Data cleaning, analysis, and write-up, where the consultant will utilize statistical software to analyze data and produce comprehensive reports; (4) Dissemination and engagement, which involves presenting findings to stakeholders and contributing to discussions on policy implications. The consultant will also be expected to maintain high standards of ethical research practices throughout the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a master's degree in Psychology, Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, or a relevant social science discipline. In lieu of a master's degree, one year of relevant work experience will be accepted. Additionally, candidates should have at least two years of relevant experience conducting quantitative research related to children's digital engagement or protection. Proven experience in cleaning, managing, and analyzing household survey datasets from multi-country research projects using statistical software such as Stata and R is essential. Experience in contributing to mixed-methods research that integrates both quantitative and qualitative data is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a master's degree in a relevant field such as Psychology, Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, or a related social science discipline. Candidates with a bachelor's degree may be considered if they have sufficient relevant work experience, specifically one year of experience in lieu of a master's degree.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of relevant experience in conducting quantitative research, particularly in areas related to children's digital engagement or protection. Candidates should have a strong background in managing and analyzing data from household surveys and experience with multi-country research projects. Familiarity with sensitive research topics, such as online violence and sexual exploitation of children, is highly desirable, especially in development, fragile settings, and humanitarian contexts.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they relate to the regions where UNICEF operates or the populations being studied.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is remote, and individuals engaged under this contract will not be considered staff members under the United Nations and UNICEF's policies. They will not be entitled to benefits such as leave entitlements or medical insurance coverage. Consultants are responsible for their tax liabilities and must ensure that they have valid visas and health insurance for the duration of their contract. Selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19 with a WHO-endorsed vaccine, although this requirement does not apply to those working remotely. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion, offering reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities. The organization adheres to strict child safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims.