Working arrangement: Remote/Home-based

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, education

Purpose of Assignment:

Contribute to the technical and operational implementation of the Data Must Speak (DMS) Stage 5 project in Ghana, with a focus on the timely and high-quality delivery of research activities related to evidence translation and uptake at the school level.

The consultant will help ensure alignment across team members, contribute to the close monitoring of project progress, and contribute to the delivery of high-quality analytical outputs and knowledge products in line with the project’s objectives, drawing on and building from inputs and deliverables produced by other consultants.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Research Manager (Education Policy and Systems Research) to contribute to the implementation of the DMS Stage 5 project in Ghana, including day-to-day coordination, follow-up to data collection, preparation and refinement of analysis plans, production of high-quality data analysis and interpretation, and preparation of intermediate and final outputs.

The consultant will also engage with the UNICEF country office, government counterparts, and research partners; contribute to regular project tracking and reporting; and respond to emerging technical and operational needs. In doing so, the consultant will draw on relevant inputs and deliverables produced by the team to help inform and strengthen the project’s outputs.

How can you make a difference? 

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the Terms of Reference here:   ToR Research consultant education TMS.pdf

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

Minimum requirements: (QUALIFICATIONS / SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE/ COMPETENCIES)

• Education: Master’s degree in education, policy analysis, economics, sociology, social policy, political science, public policy, public administration or another relevant social science discipline.

• Work Experience: 

• At least 8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in applied research at national and international level, including in low- and middle-income countries.

• Strong experience in research design, implementation, and analysis.

• Demonstrated experience supporting field research, primary qualitative data collection, and synthesis of findings for policy and programme audiences.

• Skills: 

• Strong analytical and drafting skills, including experience preparing reports, briefs, presentations, and knowledge products.

• Proven record of high-quality research publications in the field of education.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an international, multicultural environment and to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

• Language requirements: Fluency in English is required.
• Desirable qualifications:

• Experience in research on education topic areas such as Teachers, School Leadership, and Gender equality.

• Experience with qualitative coding methods.

• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment; prior experience with UNICEF or other international development organization.

• Fluency in another UN language.

For every Child, you demonstrate Care

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

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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter 
• A separate financial proposal  Financial proposal Consultancy - Research consultant (education) TMS.docx

Remarks:   If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

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.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.