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For every child, the right to HOPE! 

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant

Consultancy Title: GBViE Research Consultant

Section/Division/Duty Station:  Child Protection Team - Programme Group

Duration: September 2025 to February 2026

Home/ Office Based: REMOTE 

BACKGROUND

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does - in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life - in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions - her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens - addressing inequity - not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Related to this mission, UNICEF is directly involved in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in some of the world’s most intense and complex conflicts and disasters. GBV in its various forms constitutes a global crisis which undermines social and economic progress; as one of the world’s greatest human rights violations, GBV must be addressed to ensure universal rights and principles with regard to equality, security, liberty, integrity and dignity of human beings. Addressing gender-based violence in emergencies (GBViE) is recognized as a life-saving measure and an essential component of humanitarian action. UNICEF has made GBViE (prevention, risk mitigation and response) one of its targeted priorities in its Strategic and Gender Action Plans (GAP) 2022-2025, as well as in the Child Protection Strategy. GBViE contributes to the results under Goal Area 3 and is a cross-cutting priority across the Strategic Plan, making GBV risk mitigation one of UNICEF’s change strategies and a key contributor across all Goal Areas. GBViE risk mitigation cuts across all sectors and areas of work in UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children.

In 2024, UNICEF has developed and finalized a feminist framework for its GBViE research and learning that outlines what its feminist principles are, criteria for selecting research projects and partners, and considerations for ensuring research and learning projects apply a feminist lens. Earlier this year, a roadmap for the roll out and institutionalization of the framework and guide, as well as a mapping of potential research partners, were drafted in close coordination with UNICEF colleagues involved in research. Further technical support is required to evaluate impact and issue recommendations to strengthen the feminist research efforts.

In addition, UNICEF has been strengthening its GBViE programmatic efforts by pioneering on varied key research topics, including related to risk mitigation, women and girls centered technology, costs of GBViE and feminist approaches to research. As a lead agency on GBV, innovation and related knowledge management, UNICEF has been an active contributing member of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) for several years. The SVRI is the largest global network on research on violence against women (VAW) and violence against children (VAC), providing a space where global role players in the field connect with one another, share and promote their research, work to influence policies and improve the lives of those who have experienced GBV. Ahead of the coming SVRI Global Forum 2026 that is taking place in Bangkok (Thailand) from 5 to 9 October 2026, UNICEF is planning to prepare and submit up to 5 abstracts, develop communication products on key GBViE initiatives and innovations with the objective of being selected to present during the international conference.

During the 3-month period of the contract, the Consultant will support a series of specific deliverables aiming at strengthening GBViE targeted research efforts.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the GBViE Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for the completion of the following deliverables:

1.         Support the finalization of guidance on GBViE research and impact evaluations.

2.         Contribute to the development of resources for the 2026 SVRI Forum.

3.         Provide technical inputs to GBViE global products.

The consultancy will be home-based with travels to emergency-affected contexts, as feasible. 

Terms of Reference / Deliverables

Support the finalization of guidance on GBViE research and impact evaluations

• Framework finalized

30 November 2025

• GBViE impact evaluation paper finalized

 30 November 2025

Contribute to the development of resources for the 2026 SVRI Forum

• At least 5 abstracts developed for submission    

28 February 2026

Provide technical inputs to GBViE global products (this may include concept notes, proposals, advocacy notes, case studies, infographics etc)          

• At least 3 products developed   

30 November 2025

Qualifications

(1) Education

University Advance Degree (Masters) Public health, social work, political science, human rights and international law or other related degree, or equivalent programming experience

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English required, working proficiency of another official UN language preferred.

(2) Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

•           At least 8-10 years of humanitarian or related work experience in GBV programming in natural disasters and conflict-affected countries.

•           Solid understanding of GBV guiding principles and the survivor-centred approach.

•           Proven experience with humanitarian coordination structures (at global and/or field level) preferred.

•           Excellent drafting skills and ability to write effectively for UNICEF external products.

•           Demonstrated experience and capacity to carry-out GBV-related research and develop technical resources, with a focus on feminist research approaches.

•           Proven experience with impact evaluation related to GBViE. 

•           Experience in Gender/GBV related knowledge management and sharing is an asset.

•           Familiarity with UNICEF’s working modalities, including related internal communication and advocacy.

•           Flexible work attitude: ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise.

•           Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wide range of functions in a multi-cultural environment.

•           Experience working with a wide variety of stakeholders and capturing of requirements in an inter-agency setting.

•           Creative, innovative thinker who can also translate ideas into practical applications.

•           Proven skills in networking, strategic thinking, problem solving, advocacy and negotiation.

Requirements: 

Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and

• Upload copy of academic credentials
• Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :
  • the costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
  • travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
  • Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
  • Indicate your availability
• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

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

For every Child, you demonstrate… UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:  

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, are encourage to apply are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (if applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.