Adolescent Girls’ Learning Agenda Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is a leading organization dedicated to promoting children's rights and well-being globally. Established in 1946, UNICEF has been operational for over 70 years, working in 190 countries and territories. The organization focuses on various aspects of child welfare, including health, education, and protection from violence and exploitation. With a workforce of over 12,000 employees, UNICEF is the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries and is funded entirely through voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments.

Job Overview:
The Adolescent Girls’ Learning Agenda Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting UNICEF's Gender Equality Action Plan (UGEAP) for 2026-2029, which aims to advance gender equality and empower girls and women. This position involves designing, coordinating, and delivering a strategic learning agenda focused on adolescent girls, ensuring that UNICEF's investments translate into measurable outcomes. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders to strengthen learning on adolescent girls' empowerment, facilitate learning events, and support the global POWER4Girls initiative. The role requires a dynamic approach to learning and knowledge management, emphasizing the importance of evidence generation and synthesis to inform programming and policy decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive adolescent girls' learning agenda, which includes organizing quarterly learning events in partnership with internal and external actors. They will contribute to the adolescent girls' research agenda, focusing on POWER4Girls countries, and maintain an updated online library of learning materials. The consultant will facilitate the Global Girl Leaders Advisory Group (GGLAG), ensuring effective follow-up on action plans and supporting the transition of new cohorts. Additionally, they will prepare the 2026 POWER4Girls report for resource mobilization and coordinate the adolescent boys and masculinities workstream, identifying priority areas for learning events. The consultant will also be responsible for ensuring continuity and institutional memory across advisory mechanisms and reinforcing linkages for information sharing between various programming agendas.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least a Master's Degree in a relevant discipline such as Social Sciences, International Development/Relations, or Economics. A strong gender dimension in their academic background is desirable but not mandatory. The consultant should have at least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, particularly in gender equality work and programming targeting adolescent girls. They should demonstrate expertise in analysis, research, and capacity-building, particularly in organizing learning events. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential, especially for report writing related to gender equality and adolescent girls. Experience in education or social protection sectors is considered an asset, as is prior experience working with international agencies or UNICEF.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree in a relevant field is required, with a focus on disciplines such as Social Sciences, International Development/Relations, or Economics. While a gender-specific aspect to academic study is desirable, it is not a strict requirement. Candidates should have undertaken research or coursework that includes a strong gender focus, which will enhance their understanding of the issues at hand.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in international development, with a specific emphasis on gender equality and programming for adolescent girls. Candidates should have a proven track record of working directly with girl leaders and implementing safeguarding measures. Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives and managing events, particularly in collaboration with UN agencies, is essential. Familiarity with the education and social protection sectors is advantageous, as is experience within the context of international organizations or specifically with UNICEF.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, particularly in written and oral communication. Candidates should possess strong report writing skills that reflect gender equality and adolescent girls' content. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered beneficial but is not explicitly stated as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to last from March 9, 2026, to March 9, 2027, and is a remote position. Candidates must complete their profiles in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and submit their academic credentials along with a financial proposal detailing costs per deliverable and total lump-sum for the assignment. Travel costs and daily subsistence allowances will be covered if international travel is required. The selected candidate must have valid health insurance coverage at the time of contract award. Payment for professional fees will be contingent upon the submission of satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.