UNICEF: Research and Evidence Synthesis Support for UNICEF Sri Lanka Programme Planning – Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

Organization Mission

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children”s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children”s rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a “first call for children” and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families. UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities. UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities. UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Context

This assignment is part of UNICEF Sri Lanka’s efforts in conducting an evidence synthesis, which is an important first step to the new Country Programme 2028 – 2032.

The Evidence Synthesis involves reflecting on existing and emerging evidence, data, analyses, and programme learning to identify the key deprivations, equity gaps, risks, and bottlenecks affecting children in Sri Lanka. The findings will inform subsequent stages of country programme planning, particularly strategic prioritization, theory of change development, and results formulation.

The purpose of the evidence synthesis is to present deprivations and child rights violations mirrored by development and humanitarian challenges; to identify vulnerable and marginalized rights holders who are exposed to abuses, as well as the duty bearers mandated to address these challenges; and to pinpoint the risks and bottlenecks that hinder the fulfillment of children’s rights, including critical data gaps.

The synthesis will also support UNICEF Sri Lanka in presenting equity and bottleneck analyses in a clear, accessible, and visually engaging format. By bringing together indicators, data, evidence, equity analysis, and bottleneck analysis in one document, the Online Volunteer”s support with the evidence synthesis will provide a succinct and comprehensive foundation for programme planning and prioritization.

Key Responsibilities

We are looking for an Online Volunteer with strong research and analytical skills and excellent writing ability to support the drafting and consolidation of the evidence synthesis exercise in Sri Lanka.

The Online Volunteer will undertake a desk review and synthesis of existing evidence, analyses, and documentation produced by programme sections, government counterparts, partners, and other relevant sources. Working closely with UNICEF Sri Lanka’s programme teams, the Online Volunteer will support quality assurance and evidence validation by assisting with the review, organization, consolidation, and synthesis of available evidence into a concise, accessible, and visually engaging evidence synthesis document to inform planning and prioritization processes.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Support UNICEF programme teams in reviewing and validating evidence drawn from approximately 15–25 key reports, assessments, administrative data sources, survey findings, and other documentation already identified and provided by UNICEF and partners.
• Organize, consolidate, and synthesize key evidence from the review with clear headings, summary tables and visuals. Draft inputs into a clear and coherent narrative covering the country context, key trends affecting children, bottlenecks, data gaps, and emerging issues.
• Work closely with UNICEF Sri Lanka programme teams to review key findings, ensure consistency and accuracy across thematic areas, and incorporate feedback.
• Support the refinement, structuring, and revision of a concise, visually engaging evidence synthesis document of approximately 5–10 pages. A draft report structure, templates, and core evidence inputs will be provided by UNICEF.
• Participate in virtual meetings with UNICEF Sri Lanka programme teams, as required.

Learning Opportunity: The Online Volunteer will work closely with the Programme Teams at UNICEF Sri Lanka and gain exposure to how research and evidence directly informs programe design.

Required Skills and Experience

– An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social policy, economics, public policy, development studies, or a related field is highly desirable. A university degree in a relevant field with demonstrated research experience may also be considered
– Experience in conducting desk research, literature reviews, or policy analysis is required
– Ability to synthesize information and present findings in a clear and structured manner
– Knowledge of Sri Lanka or Asia context is desirable
– Very strong written communication skills in English are required.
– Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively in a remote setting