UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, answers

The Education section of UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight is seeking a remote-based consultant for an estimated 130 working days to support building implementation research into inclusive digital learning programmes. The innovations in education research portfolio embeds implementation research into large-scale and cross-country innovative partnerships and programmes, these innovations include digital learning, low tech, and no tech solutions. The overall aim of the research portfolio is to inform improvements in innovations in education delivery to improve all children’s learning, and to synthesize lessons across countries to build global public goods.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will collaborate with the broader research team to support the design and implementation of mixed-methods research for the UNICEF Accessible Digital Textbooks (ADT) initiative across 3 countries (Uruguay, Nepal, and Buthan) by:

1. Supporting the development of fit-for-purpose research plans for testing ADTs development and use in classroom with teachers and learners.
2. Adapting, contextualizing, and creating (when needed) data collection tools and protocols based on the research plans.
3. Supporting the implementation of the research strategy, related data collection and feedback loops, providing capacity building and trainings to partners on data collection and analysis.
4. Analysing data, and research output writing to inform implementation and scale of inclusive digital learning.

Major areas of work and responsibility

1. Support the development and facilitation of research co-creation meetings coordinating with colleagues from Uruguay, Nepal and Bhutan UNICEF offices.
2. Development of data collection tools in collaboration with implementing Ministries of Education, UNICEF Country Offices, Regional Offices, and partners.
3. Support the Innocenti – Education Manager in the provision of ongoing technical support to the implementation of research plans, supporting the implementing UNICEF Country Offices, Ministries of Education, and partners.
4. Data analysis and drafting of research outputs based on implementation research built into inclusive digital learning programmes.

Supervision

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Education Manager

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  Implementation Research Consultant (Inclusive Education) 2025 EXT.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• An first university degree (Bachelor’s) in Economics, Social Policy, Education, Statistics or related social sciences.
• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional work experience at national or international levels in the design and implementation of rigorous research, with developing country-level experience essential.
• Strong data and analytical skills and extensive knowledge of common statistical software packages (e.g. STATA, R, SPSs).
• Demonstrated experience in both qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods, including experimental and quasi-experimental methods.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and excellent attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work well as part of a geographically dispersed team and to forge and manage partnerships.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience with research in inclusive education and digital learning very desirable.
• Previous experience with research on accessible digital textbooks.
• Previous experience working with UNICEF or other UN organization.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Experience working in countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean and/or South Asia region.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in Spanish in addition to English. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.