Researcher (Generation 2030 Asia; Climate Change and WASH), United States

• Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
• Country: United States
• City: New York
• Office: UNICEF New York
• Follow @UNjobs

UNICEF 633 3rd Avenue New York, NY (212) 497-0193

Closing date: Monday, 10 October 2016

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Job no: 499478
Work type: Consultancy
Location: United States of America
Categories: Consultancy
If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.
For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
Background & Rationale
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. Delivering and sustaining results for children requires action by both governments and the public at large.
Since its inception in mid-2016, UNICEF'S Sustainability and Policy Action unit has produced numbers of comprehensive reports and taken a catalytic role in initiating global dialogues around four major components that are essential to sustainability: climate change, urbanization, migration and displacement, and demographics. These reports have been a solid basis of UNICEF's engagement with cross-sectoral influencers, as they provide opportunities for largely evidence-based national, regional and global discussions. Now that the unit is expanding its area of coverage and is looking forward to producing more evidence-based policy advocacy messages, having a designated researcher who can further support the evidence building aspect will help the unit enhance the quality of its anticipated outputs.
Purpose
The purpose of the contract will be to provide evidence-based inputs to: Generation 2030 Asia report; Climate Change and WASH report. The consultant will mainly conduct any relevant research on population dynamics and climate change. The consultant will also support the SPA unit through collecting, analyzing and presenting programme information; prepare and draft the publications produced by New York Headquarters Data, Research and Policy division; develop content needed for the emerging global solution networks and civil society engagement on child demographics in Asia; climate-adaptive WASH programming and resilience building.
Expected results: (measurable results)

• Research support to SPA on producing reports and developing policy advocacy messages around harnessing demographic dividends; climate adaptation and resilience building, etc.
• Examine raw data to ensure accuracy, clarity and validity; make appropriate adjustments to use in the Divisions publications.
• Undertake research into regional/national political, social and economic development trends; summarize pertinent material related to demographic and environmental issues; collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information to facilitate programme development, design and preparation.
• Systemically follow up and retrieve data for future reference; highlight and compile information from a wide variety of existing resources; prepare input for the publications outlined by the unit's annual plan.
• Prepare a variety of research reports, presentations, tables, lists, charts, data sets and/or diagrams for information in order to facilitate the in-depth analysis of the retrieved information by the supervisor and other users.
• Innovation and knowledge management
• Identify, capture, synthesize and share key findings of the research to build the capacity of stakeholders to initiate child-focused discourse on the implications of evolving trends.
• Research, benchmark and report on best and cutting-edge practices for development planning of knowledge products and systems.
• Collect and codify case studies related to children and youth, with particular regards to demographic dividend; climate change adaptation and resilience building.
• Apply innovative approaches and address imperative issues to bolster UNICEF's messages across its functional areas: programme and policy; external relations; operation; emergency responses.

Duty Station
The consultant(s) will work full time on a daily basis (work days only) and on-site UNICEF NYHQ. Travel may be required (TBD)
Timeframe: 3 months; Expected start date: 17 October 2016 Expected end date: 16 January 2017
Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, international relations, public policy, or other relevant disciplines.
• A relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor's), in combination with 2 years of additional relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 1 to 2 years of junior-level experience in synthesizing different types of evidence for different types of communication tools (i.e. report, infographic design, digital content, etc.)
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge in an addition UN language (Spanish, French, Russian, Arab, Chinese) is desired.
• Prior experience of undertaking global political, economic and social trends assessment is required.
• Experience in research of topics around demographics and environmental issues is required.
• Knowledge on demographic dividends, climate impacts and resilience building, and Sustainable Development Goals in the context of equity-based approach for children is required.
• Familiarity with children's rights and gender in the context of population dynamics, climate change adaptation and mitigation, migration and dislocation, and urbanization is required.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills is an asset.
• Strong research and writing skills and the aptitude to handle competing demands and priorities with multiple audiences and stakeholders.
• Background experience with the UN, especially with UNICEF and/or other UN agencies is highly desirable.

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Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
Advertised: Oct 04 2016 Eastern Standard Time
Application close: Oct 09 2016 Eastern Standard Time