Education Unit IRIE Consultancy/Education

UNICEF Innocenti is planning the Implementation Research Improving Education (IRIE) initiative to bridge the gap in learning crisis, bringing evidence-generation and programme implementation closer together to improve learning, equity and inclusion for children in sub-Saharan African countries.

UNICEF Innocenti - Global Office of Research and Foresight

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will support engagement with UNICEF country offices and regional offices to solicit relevant documentation for the IRIE initiative, design research plans and budgets, and input into relevant resource mobilization outputs.

Major areas of work and responsibility
The consultant will perform the following activities in collaboration with relevant team members from UNICEF Innocenti, UNICEF country offices and UNICEF regional offices:
• Solicit and review relevant country programme documents, proposals and budgets to analyse the feasibility, scale and timelines for inclusion as part of the IRIE initiative.
• Engage in bilateral meetings with UNICEF country offices and regional offices to evaluate relevant country programme documents and proposal and further refine evaluation criteria to select a minimum of 10 sub-Saharan African countries.
• Design a high-level research plan, including estimated timelines, scope, and corresponding budget for the countries selected.
• Provide inputs into relevant fundraising materials (including pitch decks, 1-pagers, and/or key messages) to support resource mobilization for the IRIE initiative implementation at country-level

Supervision
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of Education.

Methodologies and Tools
• Methodologies to be used: Desk research, secondary analysis, qualitative research (key informant interviews)
• Software to be used for data analysis: Microsoft Office
• Subscriptions that will be required: Microsoft Office

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  IRIE Research Consultant ToR EXT.pdf

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in education, social sciences, political sciences, international development, or related field. 
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience at national or international levels.
• Experience in the education sector across one or more thematic areas, including foundational learning, equity and inclusion, education financing, gender, and/or digital learning.
• Skills in secondary data analysis, including desk review of policy documents, programme documents, etc.
• Experience in qualitative research methodologies, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and/or participatory methods, and analysis of primary qualitative data.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including in translating research for diverse audiences, including donors.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Experience working in the UN, specifically UNICEF, or other international development organizations on in the education sector is an asset
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.