UNICEF Consultancy Roster of Foresight Support Services Consultants

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, is a United Nations agency that works in over 190 countries and territories 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 is known for its passionate and dedicated workforce. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development, reinforcing a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the globe. The organization prides itself on its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Foresight and Policy Unit at UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence - Innocenti (OSE) is creating a roster of qualified consultants to provide on-demand, short- to medium-term technical support in various foresight methods and applications. This includes strategic foresight, horizon scanning, and futures thinking. The roster will serve as a pre-qualified pool of experts for UNICEF's country, regional, and headquarters offices to draw upon for foresight-related initiatives. Consultants will be expected to provide technical expertise in strategic foresight approaches, facilitate foresight processes and workshops, and support the integration of futures thinking into UNICEF’s policy, programming, and organizational learning processes. Applicants should demonstrate competencies and experience in one or more of the following areas: Strategic Foresight Methodology and Analysis, Facilitation and Participation, Quantitative Modeling, and Knowledge Management and Capacity Building.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Consultants will be responsible for providing technical expertise in strategic foresight methodologies, facilitating foresight processes and workshops, and integrating futures thinking into UNICEF’s policy and programming. They will design and facilitate foresight exercises, including horizon scanning, trend analysis, scenario development, and backcasting. Additionally, they will provide technical advisory support to governments and organizations on foresight and long-term planning, engage diverse stakeholder groups in participatory foresight processes, and integrate foresight insights into policy development and organizational strategy. Consultants will also be expected to analyze megatrends affecting sustainable development and communicate complex concepts clearly to various audiences.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong knowledge of strategic foresight methodologies and tools, including horizon scanning, trend analysis, and scenario planning. They should have excellent analytical, synthesis, and report-writing skills, as well as the ability to communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. Experience in designing and facilitating foresight exercises and workshops is essential, along with a proven track record of providing technical advisory support to various organizations. Excellent facilitation skills in virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats are also required.

Educational Background:
Applicants must have an advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in fields such as futures studies, public policy, international development, strategic planning, political science, economics, social sciences, or systems thinking. Specialized training or certification in strategic foresight, futures studies, scenario planning, or related methodologies is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8–10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas such as strategic foresight, futures thinking, scenario planning, and public policy. Experience working in complex and rapidly changing environments, including fragile or climate-vulnerable contexts, is also important. Additionally, experience in participatory methods with children and youth and in supporting capacity development within organizations is beneficial.

Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of additional UN languages such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy roles are not considered staff positions under the UN and UNICEF regulations, meaning consultants will not receive benefits such as leave entitlements or medical insurance. They will be responsible for their tax liabilities and ensuring their visa and health insurance are valid for the contract duration. Selected candidates must confirm their fully vaccinated status against COVID-19, although this requirement does not apply to remote consultants. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities.