UNICEF Innocenti tackles the questions of greatest importance for children, both current and emerging. It equips thought leaders and decision-makers with the evidence they need to build a better, safer world for children.

The office undertakes research using primary and secondary data that represent the voices of children and families themselves. It uses foresight to set the agenda for children, including horizon scanning, trends analysis and scenario development. The office produces a diverse and dynamic library of high-level reports and policy papers and provides a platform for debate and advocacy.

As part of Innocenti, the Social & Economic Policy (SEP) unit conducts research on social protection, child poverty and public finance.

The unit is establishing a Roster of Consultants with pre-qualified candidates who can be contracted quickly to provide a range of research services. These may include quantitative or qualitative data collection activities, data analysis (quantitative and/or qualitative), literature reviews, writing research outputs such as reports, briefs or academic articles, amongst others.

The SEP unit welcomes applications from candidates who possess one or more of the following skillsets:

1. Quantitative skillset on impact evaluations of cash transfers and other social protection interventions, or other social development programmes, in low- and middle-income countries.

2. Qualitative skillset on impact and process evaluations of cash transfer programmes, or other social development programmes

3. Quantitative skill set on public finance, budget analysis, macro-econometrics, micro- and macro-simulations

4. Qualitative skillset on political economy analysis

5. Data science, machine learning, big data analytics

More details on the specific requirements for each of these skillsets can be found in this document:  Skillsets EXT.pdf.

Please read this document carefully before preparing your application.

Note that candidates may apply in more than one of the desired skillsets, if they meet the requirements. Within skillsets, the roster is broken down by tiers (based on years of experience).

The languages for the consultancies can be English, French or other languages, depending on the nature of the assignment. Candidates are expected to be fully proficient in English alone, OR fully proficient in another relevant language relevant for the unit (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic) in combination with a working knowledge of English.

Consultants typically work under the direct supervision of a staff member of the SEP unit and coordinate their work with other research teams’ members, both internal and external. Consultants work from their own location and are not expected to be based at the Innocenti office.

Evaluation of applicants

The Roster will remain open for applications until the end of 2025.

An initial screening will be done after one month from the opening date of the announcement, and subsequent screenings will be done every quarter. Individual applicants will be screened against the qualifications and competencies specified for each skillset in which they expressed interest.

The inclusion into the Roster will be offered to those individual candidates whose profiles have been evaluated through a desk review process and determined as (a) meeting the minimum skills and experience against the requirements at the relevant Tier level, (b) having received high scores (at least 70 points) against the following evaluation criteria:

Technical criteria

• Level and relevance of education to the selected skillset and Tier level (max. 20 points).

• Demonstrated professional research experience in selected skillset with the minimum number of years for the indicated Tier level (max. 40 points).

• Record of drafting research outputs and other high-quality products in relation to the selected Tier level (max. 25 points).

• Relevant research experience working with UNICEF, and/or other international organizations, and/or national partners in any of the UNICEF regions (max. 15 points).

In addition, UNICEF reserves to right to require candidates to participate in a technical test as part of the pre-selection process. Successful candidates will be included in the Roster of Consultants for 3 years and be considered for assignments between March 2025 – March 2028.

Entry into the consultant roster system does not guarantee a contract with UNICEF Innocenti. Contracting and agreed daily rates will be negotiated as needs arise. Where a request for services arises, UNICEF Innocenti will approach selected Roster candidates with a specific Terms of Reference outlining the assignment scope and duration, and negotiate on their interest, availability, and daily fee. Interested candidates may then be invited for additional assessments like interviews or technical tests.

For their application, interested candidates will need to:

1. Complete their online profile, including the names and contacts of three references

2. Attach a CV (no photographs), including a list of relevant publications with links.

3. Attach a covering letter (see below)

4. Submit at least two evaluation reports from previous consulting assignments (if available).

 The covering letter should be no more than two pages, and must include the following information which should be clearly stated at the start of the letter:

1. Skillset (one or more of the skillsets listed above) for which you wish to be considered and in which you already have substantial expertise. Please ensure that you meet the essential criteria for the skillset(s) that you choose and specify at which level (Tier 1, 2 or 3) you qualify (see attachment on criteria for skillsets [link to document with skillset description]).

2. Earliest date and periods of availability for work during 2025.

3. All-inclusive daily rate (please include this in the letter as well as in the online application form).

 Any application missing any of the above elements will not be considered.