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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, HOPE

The Research and Evaluation (R&E) Officer reports to the Research and Evaluation Specialist, Social Policy Section. Under the guidance of the supervisor, the incumbent will be expected to:

• Support in coordination with all programmes, elicitation of information for preparation and regular updates of a well-established Plan for Research, Integrated Monitoring and Evaluation (PRIME).
• Assist in evaluative and research work within the country office and provide quality assurance and technical oversight for high quality evaluation and research function for the country office.
• Support the development of national capacities for evaluation and research within the public sector, with special attention to the interest, concern and participation of government, community, and civil society stakeholders.
• Coordinate closely with the regional office.

How can you make a difference?

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks.

1. Plan for Research, Integrated Monitoring, and Evaluation (PRIME)

Ensure that the Country Office and national partners use a well-prioritized and realistic plan of research, monitoring and evaluation activities that will provide the most relevant and strategic information to manage the Country Programme towards achieving expected results and towards coping with potential and actual emergencies.

Duties & Tasks

• Assist supervisor in preparation of PRIME. Provide technical assistance for the planning and establishing of major research, monitoring and evaluation objectives, priorities, and activities in UNICEF’s annual PRIME exercises.
• Track implementation of planned and ongoing studies, research and evaluations in annual PRIME by following up with PRIME focal points and update progress.

2. Evaluation

Ensure that UNICEF-supported evaluations are designed and implemented to established UN quality standards, and the results are disseminated in a timely fashion to stakeholders in order to improve programme performance and contribute to wider learning.

Duties & Tasks

3. For UNICEF-supported evaluations, guide UNICEF programme specialists and programme partners to formulate Terms of Reference and evaluation designs of high quality in compliance with the UNICEF’ Evaluation Policy and guidelines.
4. Assist supervisor in the recruitment of appropriate and highly qualified consultants.
5. Support the overall day-to-day management as the designated Evaluation Manager on evaluations in collaboration with programme specialists and partners.
6. Coordinate the external review of key deliverables by engaging an Evaluation Reference Group, an external review agency and the regional office.
7. Assist supervisor in providing quality assurance and technical oversight for high quality evaluation reports.
8. Monitor and ensure the quality of the field work and data management during the implementation phase.
9. Upload completed evaluation reports to EIS – UNICEF’s global Evaluation and Research Tool to allow global sharing and final quality review.
10. Ensure management response to the findings and recommendations of the evaluations are completed and uploaded in EISI.
11. Track management response actions in coordination with programme specialists – the focal person for EMR.

Research

Duties & Tasks

Ensure that UNICEF-supported research is designed and implemented according to established UNICEF policies and procedures, and the results are disseminated in a timely fashion to stakeholders in order to improve programme performance and contribute to wider learning.

• Review the Terms of Reference for major research projects and drafts of research reports.
• Assist with the recruitment and selection of appropriately qualified research consultants, ensuring that the selection process is in compliance with UNICEF standards for performance, accountability, transparency and ethics.
• As part of Country Office Reporting, upload completed research reports to EISI, UNICEF’s global Evaluation and Research Tool to allow global sharing.
• Ensure all research follows the ethical principles and standards outlined in the UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation and data Collection and Analysis.

12. Evaluation & Research Capacity Strengthening

Ensure that the research, monitoring and evaluation capacities of Country Office staff and national partners – government and civil society – are strengthened enabling them to increasingly engage in and lead research, monitoring and evaluation processes.

• Assist in the National Evaluation Capacity Development initiatives among public sector partners to support long term system strengthening through development of evaluation policies for enhancing accountability and learning.
• Support a range of appropriate skills building strategies including self-learning, seminars and workshops and practical experience in order that UNICEF, UN staff and national partners have the basic knowledge and skills in understanding and applying new M&E policies, tools, methods to fulfil their responsibilities.
• Technical and quality assurance support on terms of reference for evaluations and evaluation reports planned in collaboration with UNICEF.

13. Knowledge Creation and Management through Coordination and Networking 

• Collaborate with UNICEF Regional Office as well for overall coordination of priority research, monitoring and evaluation activities, especially those of regional scope requiring the coordinated effort of multiple countries.
• Assist in overall coordination of priority research and evaluation activities in collaboration with all concerned programmes and partners from the public sector and civil society, as required.
• Provide support in ensuring that current and accurate evaluation data and results are included in relevant UNICEF annual and other reports, RAM reports, UN, regional or multi-country studies, and knowledge sharing networks.
• Support coordination with RCO and other UN agencies and public sector organizations to facilitate UNICEF programmes work on SDGs for children.

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

• Education: First University Degree (i.e. bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, evaluation, education, development, or management studies.
• Experience: A minimum one year of relevant professional experience of working in the field of evaluation and/or research in the development sector.
• Experience in facilitating, designing, and executing action research and evaluations is an added advantage.
• Practical experience of research methods, sampling techniques, approaches and tools is desirable.
• Desirable: Sound knowledge of research methodologies, demonstrated experience in working with multiple stakeholders across government, academia, research institutes and civil society in the areas of research and evaluation and good coordination and negotiating skills, project management and time management skills.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS).

The competencies required for this post are Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2), Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3), Works Collaboratively with others (3), Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3), Innovates and Embraces Change (3), Thinks and Acts Strategically (3), Drives to achieve impactful results (3), Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

View our competency framework at  Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. Our contracts, wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.
• UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

• The vacancy announcement is open both to internal and external candidates.
• Verified/ attested educational certificates/ degrees by HEC/ foreign institutions are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF, as the case may be.
• UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates will be prioritized.
• 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.
• 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.