UNICEF Innocenti is recruiting remote research consultants worldwide to support gender, rights, and protection research on child marriage, FGM, and social protection.
If you are a researcher working at the intersection of gender, child protection, and evidence-based policy, this opportunity is worth your attention.
UNICEF Innocenti is establishing a Roster of Research Consultants to support its Gender, Rights, and Protection work — with assignments running between 2025 and 2028 and fully remote engagement.
Rather than hiring for a single short-term role, this roster is designed to pre-qualify experienced researchers who can be called upon quickly as research needs arise across UNICEF and UNFPA programmes globally.
Opportunity Overview
- Organization: UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight
- Contract Type: Individual Consultancy (Roster-based)
- Work Mode: Fully Remote
- Focus Areas: Gender, Harmful Practices, Child Marriage, FGM, Social Protection
- Roster Duration: 3 years
- Assignment Period: September 2025 – May 2028
- Application Status: Open until March 2026
What This Consultancy Roster Is About
UNICEF Innocenti leads high-impact research that shapes global policy and programming for children. Through initiatives such as STAR (Strategic Technical Assistance for Research), the office supports evidence generation to accelerate the elimination of child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Consultants on this roster may be engaged to:
- Conduct systematic, scoping, and mixed-methods evidence reviews
- Assess the quality and relevance of programmatic research
- Draft high-level research outputs, including reports, briefs, academic articles, and presentations
- Provide technical research support to UNICEF and UNFPA country and regional offices
- Support evidence agenda-setting, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation
This work directly informs global programmes such as:
- The Global Programme to End Child Marriage
- The Joint Programme to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation
Consultant Profiles UNICEF Is Looking For
Applicants may apply to one or more skillsets, provided they meet the required criteria. Within each skillset, candidates are assessed across Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3, depending on experience.
1. Mixed Methods & Implementation Research
Cash Transfers and Social Protection
Ideal for researchers with experience evaluating cash transfer and social protection interventions in low- and middle-income countries, especially those linked to harmful practice prevention.
2. Mixed Methods Research
Adolescent Girls, Gender, Health, Child Marriage & FGM
Focused on evaluating health and development programmes targeting adolescent girls, with strong emphasis on gender, SRHR, and maternal health outcomes.
3. Technical Research Support on Harmful Practices
Child Marriage, FGM, and Violence Intersections
Suited to senior researchers supporting country and regional-level research, including study design, data analysis, interpretation, and communication of findings.
4. Research Facilitation, Synthesis & Uptake
Evidence Translation and Stakeholder Engagement
Designed for professionals skilled in knowledge management, research facilitation, stakeholder coordination, and translating evidence into policy-relevant tools.
Language & Working Arrangements
- English proficiency is required
- Additional languages such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic are a strong asset
- Consultants work from their own location
- Assignments are carried out under the supervision of UNICEF Innocenti research staff
- Contracts are deliverables-based, not day-based
How Candidates Are Evaluated
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with screenings conducted quarterly.
Selection is based on:
- Relevance and level of education
- Years and depth of professional research experience
- Record of high-quality research outputs
- Experience working with UNICEF or similar international organizations
Shortlisted candidates may also be asked to complete a technical assessment.
What You Need to Apply for Remote Research Consultant
To be considered, applicants must submit:
- A completed online profile (in English)
- A CV (no photo), including relevant publications with links
- A cover letter (maximum two pages) clearly stating:
- Skillset(s) and Tier level applied for
- Availability period (2025–2028)
- Indicative all-inclusive daily rate
- At least two evaluation reports from previous consultancy assignments (if available)
Incomplete applications are not reviewed.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
Unlike one-off consultancy calls, this roster offers:
- Long-term engagement potential with a leading UN research office
- Flexible, remote assignments aligned with global research priorities
- Exposure to high-impact, policy-influencing work
- Opportunities to collaborate across UNICEF, UNFPA, and global research networks
For experienced researchers working on gender equality, child protection, and harmful practices, this roster can become a valuable anchor for sustained international consultancy work.
Final Thoughts
Being included in the UNICEF Innocenti consultant roster does not guarantee a contract — but it does position you at the front of the line when research needs emerge over the next three years.
If your expertise aligns with any of the listed skillsets, this is a strategic opportunity to contribute to evidence that shapes global action for children and adolescent girls.
Keywords
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