Organization Mission

Working in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child, UNICEF has spent 70 years improving the lives of children and their families.

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do.

Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. In all of its work, UNICEF takes a life-cycle based approach, recognizing the particular importance of early childhood development and adolescence. UNICEF programmes focus on the most disadvantaged children, including those living in fragile contexts, those with disabilities, those who are affected by rapid urbanization and those affected by environmental degradation.

UNICEF was created with a distinct purpose in mind: to work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child”s path. We advocate for measures to give children the best start in life because proper care at the youngest age forms the most robust foundation for a person”s future.

We promote girls’ education – ensuring that they complete primary education as a minimum – because it benefits all children, both girls and boys. Girls who are educated grow up to become better thinkers, better citizens, and better parents to their own children. We act so that all children are immunized against common childhood diseases, and are well nourished: no child should suffer or die from a preventable illness. We work to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among young people because it is right to keep them from harm and enable them to protect others. We help children and families affected by HIV/AIDS to live their lives with dignity.

We are UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Context

This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF’s overall country programme in Lebanon . The position will have a specific focus on research for the education programming but will also support the overall Country Office research agenda. In 2025 UNICEF undertook 32 pieces of research and studies across UNICEF’s areas of programming on child protection, education, health, nutrition, social policy, youth and adolescents, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). More details on the UNICEF programme in Lebanon can be found at: www.unicef.org/lebanon/.
The research and studies undertaken by UNICEF contribute to monitoring outcomes for children and to improving the programme design. On the research agenda UNICEF works with a wide range of stakeholders including the government, civil society, UN agencies, universities and research organisations. One significant piece of ongoing research is a longitudinal study on children in the Makani Non-Formal Education programmes supported by UNICEF nationwide. Support to this study will be a focus for this UNV position.
The UNV Research Officer will be based in Beirut and will report to the National Research Officer (NOB).

In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments 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 appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers 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 contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Key Responsibilities

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Research Officer NOB or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Research Officer will support with the following:

Situation Monitoring, Research and Assessment:
• Support the collection, analysis and user-friendly presentation of data on child deprivation, including multi-dimensional child poverty.
• Support in planning and implementation of nationally representative surveys.
• Support the implementation of the research on the Makani programme with GAGE and MindSet.
• Support child focused rapid assessments.
• Support proper and compelling use of data and evidence on the situation of children.
• Support the Planning and Monitoring team to develop annual integrated, monitoring, evaluation and research plan (IMERP), and keep all activities up to date in the UNICEF Evidence Information System Integration (EISI) platform.

Learning and Knowledge Management:
• Support the compilation and dissemination of information from both quantitative and qualitative research.
• Support knowledge sharing platforms and events in collaboration with program teams including through supporting programme staff to identify, manage, package and disseminate program results.

Networking, Partnership and Capacity Building:
• Support the Research Officer to build and sustain effective partnerships with national and international stakeholders.
• Strengthen the capacity of UNICEF colleagues and national partners to generate and use reliable and disaggregated data and analysis on the situation of children for their own interventions and advocacy for child rights.

Required Skills and Experience

– At least 3 years of professional work experience in monitoring, evaluation and research, and/or knowledge management field is required.
– Excellent oral and written communication skills in Arabic and English is required.
– Understanding of research methods and experience in managing or conducting research and ability to conduct analysis of published data is required.
– Ability to work collaboratively as a member of the planning, monitoring and information (PMI) team.
– Strong interpersonal and listening skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain work relationships.
– Prior experience working with the UN or not-for profit sectors is desirable.
– Knowledge of potential relevant governmental, non-governmental, academic and civil society knowledge partners is an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

UNICEF Specific Competencies:

• Build and Maintain Partnership
• 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

Living Conditions

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

Benefits package:
• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1,606.56
• Annual and learning leaves
• Medical and life Insurance
• Free access to different learning platforms.
For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service