Apply Now: High-Paying UNICEF Remote Research Consultant Role – Gender & Protection (International Applicants)| Deadline March 2026
Apply Now: High-Paying UNICEF Remote Research Consultant Role – Gender & Protection (International Applicants)| Deadline March 2026
Apply Now: High-Paying UNICEF Remote Research Consultant Role – Gender & Protection (International Applicants)| Deadline March 2026. UNICEF Innocenti is seeking qualified experts to join its roster of research consultants within the Gender, Rights, and Protection Unit, focusing on harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). This global consultancy opportunity allows professionals to contribute remotely to evidence generation, research synthesis, and knowledge translation to support UNICEF and UNFPA programmes. Applications are open until March 31, 2026.
Table of Contents
Background & Job Description
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories, striving to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them realize their full potential. UNICEF Innocenti, also known as the Global Office of Research and Foresight, plays a central role in shaping UNICEF’s evidence-based advocacy, policy, and programming.
UNICEF Innocenti addresses some of the most urgent and emerging issues facing children today. The office conducts pioneering research, horizon scanning, and foresight analysis to guide global responses to child protection, gender equality, and human rights challenges. It also serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, producing reports, policy briefs, and advocacy tools that influence global decision-making.
The Gender, Rights, and Protection Unit at Innocenti focuses on ending harmful practices, particularly child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM). Through the STAR (Strategic Technical Assistance for Research) Initiative, UNICEF works closely with partners, governments, and communities to generate and apply robust evidence to accelerate progress on eliminating these harmful practices.
To strengthen this work, UNICEF Innocenti is establishing a roster of research consultants who can be engaged for assignments across multiple thematic areas. Selected consultants will support evidence generation, research facilitation, synthesis, and communication that directly inform UNICEF and UNFPA’s joint programmes.
This is a remote consultancy roster, allowing experts to contribute from anywhere in the world.
Tasks & Responsibilities
Consultants may be engaged under different research profiles, depending on expertise. The main areas include:
1. Mixed Methods and Implementation Research – Cash Transfers and Social Protection
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative evaluations of cash transfer and social protection programmes.
- Analyze the impact of interventions on child protection, gender equality, and harmful practices.
- Produce reports and policy briefs tailored to policymakers and practitioners in low- and middle-income countries.
2. Mixed Methods Research – Adolescent Girls, Gender, Health, and Harmful Practices
- Evaluate health and development programmes targeting adolescent girls.
- Carry out systematic reviews and scoping studies that combine quantitative and qualitative findings.
- Contribute evidence to global initiatives tackling child marriage and FGM.
3. Mixed Methods Research – Technical Research Support on Harmful Practices
- Support country- and regional-level studies on child marriage and FGM.
- Provide methodological design, data collection support, and advanced analysis.
- Interpret findings in ways that support UNICEF’s operational programming.
4. Research Facilitation, Synthesis, Communication, and Uptake
- Facilitate participatory workshops with policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders.
- Develop user-friendly research synthesis products such as policy briefs, infographics, and toolkits.
- Strengthen the use of research evidence in policy dialogue and programme implementation.
Across all profiles, consultants are expected to:
- Adhere to UNICEF’s research ethics and safeguarding standards.
- Deliver outputs on time and to high quality standards.
- Collaborate effectively with UNICEF staff, partners, and other consultants.
Qualifications
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in social sciences, public health, economics, development studies, or related fields.
Professional Experience
- Proven experience in mixed methods research, particularly in low- and middle-income contexts.
- Track record of working on child protection, gender, health, or social protection research.
- Previous contributions to systematic reviews, programme evaluations, or research synthesis.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex evidence into accessible formats for diverse stakeholders.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and methodological expertise (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods).
- Excellent skills in academic writing, reporting, and policy communication.
- Ability to facilitate participatory workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Proficiency in English (required); knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
- Familiarity with UNICEF or other UN agency research processes is highly desirable.
Core UNICEF Competencies
- Builds and maintains partnerships.
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
- Drive to achieve results for impact.
- Innovates and embraces change.
- Manages ambiguity and complexity.
- Thinks and acts strategically.
- Works collaboratively with others.
Additional Information
Duty Station
- This is a remote consultancy roster (work from home).
- The official duty station of Innocenti remains Florence, Italy, but consultants can be based anywhere globally.
Contract Type
- Consultants will not hold a fixed contract but will be part of a pre-qualified roster.
- Assignments will be offered depending on project needs, timelines, and consultant expertise.
Duration
- The roster is valid until March 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Safeguarding & Ethical Standards
- UNICEF has a strict zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination.
- All consultants must pass rigorous reference and background checks.
- Compliance with vaccination requirements (including COVID-19) may be necessary for travel-related assignments.
Application Process
Interested professionals must submit the following through UNICEF’s official careers portal:
- Updated CV/Resume highlighting relevant research experience.
- Cover Letter specifying areas of expertise and motivation to join the roster.
- Any supporting documentation requested in the Terms of Reference and Annex 1 Skillset File (downloadable from UNICEF).
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Apply Now on UNICEF Careers Portal
Why Join This UNICEF Consultancy Roster?
Being part of the roster allows you to:
- Contribute directly to the elimination of harmful practices such as child marriage and FGM.
- Collaborate with leading global experts in child protection, gender equality, and social policy.
- Gain flexible, remote-based consultancy opportunities.
- Influence evidence-based policy and programming that shapes the future of millions of children worldwide.
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Disclaimer
This job article was prepared by ResearchJobsHub.com for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with UNICEF. All applications must be submitted through UNICEF’s official careers platform.
