UNICEF Is Hiring a Home/Office-Based Research Consultant for 2025 – Apply Now!

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Join UNICEF Innocenti as a Consultant: Lead Strategic Events and Build Global Partnerships (Home-Based)

UNICEF Is Hiring a Remote Research Consultant for 2025 – A Golden Opportunity for Global Development Professionals!

UNICEF Is Hiring a Home/Office-Based Research Consultant for 2025 – Apply Now! UNICEF is offering an incredible opportunity for global development professionals and economists in 2025: a fully remote or New York-based Research Consultant role with a focus on macroeconomic analysis, child-focused policies, and public finance. Learn how to apply, qualifications needed, and why this consultancy could be your gateway to a meaningful UN career. UNICEF Is Hiring a Remote Research Consultant for 2025 – A Golden Opportunity for Global Development Professionals!

UNICEF Is Hiring a Home/Office-Based Research Consultant for 2025 – Apply Now!

Background & Job Description

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) continues to lead international efforts to protect and uplift children around the world. Established in 1946, UNICEF is present in over 190 countries and territories, working to provide every child with access to health care, nutrition, education, sanitation, and protection from harm. In this mission, UNICEF collaborates with governments, civil society organizations, private sectors, and individuals to implement long-term solutions to child-related challenges.

For decades, UNICEF has been at the forefront of shaping global development conversations. From championing children’s rights to pioneering vaccination campaigns in vulnerable regions, the organization is a trusted leader in international development.

In 2025, UNICEF is once again opening its doors to passionate, skilled professionals with the announcement of a new consultancy: Research Consultant (Home/Office-Based). This role is hosted under the Director’s Office, Programme Group, at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, but it offers flexibility for remote work. The consultancy begins on 1 June 2025 and runs through 31 December 2025.

This is a golden opportunity for professionals with a background in economics, statistics, development economics, or related disciplines, particularly those with experience in macroeconomic analysis, aid effectiveness, or child-centered financial research.

The Research Consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting evidence-based advocacy through in-depth data analysis, economic modeling, and insightful reporting. The ultimate goal? To inform policy decisions that improve social spending for children worldwide.

Scope of Work & Key Responsibilities

The Research Consultant will be embedded in UNICEF’s Programme Group, specifically under the Director’s Office. This strategic positioning reflects the high-level, cross-cutting nature of the work. The consultant will collaborate with economists, policy analysts, data scientists, and senior program managers to drive data-informed advocacy and decision-making.

Main Duties:

Macroeconomic and Financial Analysis:
- Collect and analyze macroeconomic indicators, including GDP, debt levels, foreign aid, social spending, and fiscal balance.
- Conduct assessments on the sustainability of public debt and its implications for social investment.
- Examine the trends and patterns in government expenditure, particularly in sectors impacting child well-being (e.g., education, health, social protection).
Policy Research and Development:
- Review policy frameworks and budgets to evaluate the alignment of public spending with children’s rights and social priorities.
- Research emerging trends in child-focused development economics.
- Develop policy briefs and analytical papers to support UNICEF’s advocacy work.
Data Visualization and Presentation:
- Utilize advanced tools such as Stata, R, Python, and Excel to clean, process, and visualize large datasets.
- Present findings in a clear, concise, and compelling format for internal stakeholders and external audiences.
- Support development of dashboards, infographics, and interactive data presentations.
Collaboration and Technical Support:
- Work closely with internal teams and external consultants on joint research efforts.
- Offer technical inputs to program design and strategic planning.
- Contribute to online meetings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events.
Quality Assurance and Compliance:
- Ensure all deliverables meet high standards of quality, consistency, and relevance.
- Comply with UNICEF’s ethical standards and child rights-based approach in all outputs.

This position is ideal for professionals who can work independently while remaining connected to a global team of experts. It is a remote-first consultancy, but applicants should be open to possible travel or in-person meetings, as needed.

Qualifications: Education & Certification

To qualify for this role, UNICEF is looking for highly educated and technically proficient professionals. The educational requirements reflect the complexity and importance of the analytical work involved.

Minimum Educational Requirements:

A Master’s Degree or higher in:
- Economics
- Statistics
- Development Economics
- Or other relevant fields such as Public Policy, International Development, or Quantitative Social Sciences.

Doctoral-level qualifications or additional certifications in advanced statistical modeling, public finance, or development policy will be considered an asset, though not mandatory.

Experience Requirements

UNICEF expects applicants to bring at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in research, analysis, and policy work. The work should demonstrate a consistent focus on evidence-based research related to:

Macroeconomic analysis
Public finance
Foreign aid flows and effectiveness
Debt sustainability frameworks
Child-focused or social development economics

Applicants should also have experience producing high-quality policy briefs, analytical reports, or working papers for governmental, academic, or international audiences.

Technical Competencies Must Include:

Proficiency in at least one major statistical software, such as:
- Stata
- R
- Python
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, macros, and data visualization tools.
Experience designing and using data dashboards, charts, or interactive tools for reporting.

Language Proficiency

Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required.
Proficiency in one or more other UN languages (e.g., French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) is highly desirable and could be a strong advantage.

Additional Requirements & Application Process

To be considered for the consultancy, applicants must ensure their profiles in the UNICEF e-Recruitment system are complete and up-to-date. The following documents are required during the application process:

Mandatory Application Documents:

Updated CV
Financial Proposal, detailing:
- Fees per deliverable
- Total lump sum for the entire contract (in USD)
- Any anticipated travel or living expenses (if applicable)
Academic Credentials
Availability Schedule during the proposed contract period

Health Insurance Requirement:

Selected consultants must have active health insurance coverage in place before the contract begins. Any unforeseen duty travel will be covered separately by UNICEF.

Remuneration & Payment Terms

This is a consultancy-based contract, not a staff position. Payment will be made based on the satisfactory delivery of agreed outputs. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment if outputs do not meet the required standards or are delayed.

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience, technical qualifications, and market rates for UN consultancy roles.

Visa Considerations (for U.S.-based applicants)

If the consultant resides in the United States and is not a U.S. citizen, permanent resident (Green Card holder), or current G4 visa holder, they will be required to adjust their visa status to G4. Their spouse may also need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to continue working in the U.S.

This is important to ensure compliance with U.S. visa regulations for UN personnel.

Why You Should Apply

This consultancy offers more than just an income—it’s a platform to influence high-level international policy discussions around children, economics, and sustainability. Here’s why this opportunity stands out:

Fully remote option with flexibility for work-life balance
Opportunity to influence UNICEF’s global strategy
Collaborate with leading economists and policymakers
Gain visibility at one of the most respected UN agencies
Enhance your career profile through global exposure

You’ll be at the forefront of economic research that directly shapes programs impacting millions of children across the globe.

How to Apply

Ready to take the next step? Here’s how you can apply for the UNICEF Research Consultant role:

Visit the official UNICEF Careers website
Search for Job No. 580797 or filter by Consultant, New York, or Remote
Complete your online application
Upload required documents and financial proposal
Submit before the deadline