UNICEF Social Protection and Gender Care and Support 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, fostering a culture of belonging and growth. UNICEF employs a large workforce dedicated to its mission, providing an attractive compensation and benefits package to its staff.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to deliver analytical, policy, knowledge, and technical products focused on gender-responsive social protection and care and support systems. This role supports the Inclusive Social Protection thematic area of the Economic and Social Policy Global Practice (ESP GP) and collaborates with UNICEF Innocenti. The consultant will be responsible for producing technical products, synthesizing evidence into actionable guidance, facilitating multi-stakeholder processes, and delivering outputs that enhance UNICEF's engagement in gender-responsive social protection. The position requires thematic expertise, independent work across various deliverables, and substantive engagement with governments, UN agencies, civil society partners, and research institutions. The consultant will contribute to developing evidence-based capacity building, policy dialogue, and program delivery on gender-responsive social protection, synthesizing cross-country programmatic evidence, and developing technical and advocacy products on care and support systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including: developing evidence-based capacity building and policy dialogue on gender-responsive social protection; synthesizing cross-country programmatic evidence and translating findings into policy-relevant guidance; creating technical and advocacy products on care and support systems; contributing to thematic interagency and global platforms; and supporting knowledge dissemination and communications for the Transfer Project. The role demands the ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables, engage with diverse stakeholders, and produce high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 4-5 years of relevant expertise in gender-responsive social protection and care and support systems, including experience with disability-inclusive social protection. They should have demonstrated experience in policy analysis, capacity building, global advocacy, and civil society engagement in low- and middle-income contexts. A solid understanding of care and support systems frameworks and experience in developing capacity-building products and facilitating policy dialogue processes are essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in driving social accountability outcomes and synthesizing programmatic evidence into policy-relevant products.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s) in social policy, development studies, gender studies, international development, or a closely related field is required for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 4-5 years of relevant work experience in gender-responsive social protection and care and support systems, with a strong background in policy analysis, capacity building, and civil society engagement. Experience in developing knowledge and communications products and engaging with multi-partner processes in UN settings is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while knowledge of another UN language is preferred. This requirement emphasizes the need for effective communication in a diverse and international working environment.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy contract duration is 16 months, and the position allows for remote working arrangements. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their background. The organization adheres to strict policies against discrimination and misconduct, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all employees. Candidates are required to submit an up-to-date TMS profile, CV, cover letter, a separate financial proposal, and a detailed technical proposal as part of the application process.