Consultancy - Research on gender equality measures in the context of social protection - Office of Research Innocenti

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Research

Purpose of Activity/Assignment: The UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti [hereafter after referred to as UNICEF Innocenti] is the dedicated research office of UNICEF. It undertakes and commissions research on emerging or current issues of relevance for children in order to inform the strategic directions, policies and programmes of UNICEF and its partners. UNICEF Innocenti explores emerging issues, identifies research gaps, brings together researchers and support or undertake new research and data collection to address critical questions and to inform global debates.

UNICEF Innocenti is looking for a consultant (junior level) starting as soon as possible, preferably by 1st March 2021. Two teams at UNICEF Innocenti, the Child Rights and Protection team and the Social and Economic Policy team, are leading a five-year research programme on Gender-Responsive Age-Sensitive Social Protection (GRASSP). The aim of the research programme is to examine how gender-responsive and age-sensitive social protection can sustainably reduce poverty and achieve gender equality, by building a robust evidence base focused on ‘what works’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ in social protection to contribute to enhanced gender equality outcomes.

In particular, as part of the GRASSP Research Stream 1, the Child Rights and Protection team is leading research on a review of gender equality measures with a focus on social and gender norms, and empowerment, which have been tested and employed in low- and middle-income countries. Further, in partnership with the Research Facilitation and Knowledge Management team, the Child Rights and Protection team is undertaking a systematic review of reviews on the impact of social protection on gender equality, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review of reviews will synthesize the evidence from systematic reviews on the impact of social protection on gender equality, including identifying gaps. The Child Rights and Protection, and the Research Facilitation and Knowledge Management teams, will capitalize on this systematic review of reviews, and undertake a review of measures of gender equality outcomes, including social and gender norms, and empowerment, employed in these reviews, to understand which measures of gender equality outcomes are employed in evaluations of social protection programmes. The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Research Officer (Gender & Adolescence) and the Gender & Development Manager (Research) in this stream of work. The methodology for this stream of work has already been developed.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with a cutting-edge research centre, working on critical issues that affect children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. The consultant will be working remotely and part-time, working in close consultation with the in-house Research team working on the GRASSP research programme. To learn more about UNICEF Innocenti visit https://www.unicef-irc.org/.

Scope of Work: MAIN TASKS Under the overall direction of the Gender & Development Manager (Research), and in collaboration with the Research Officer (Gender & Adolescence) and other colleagues as needed, the consultant will be responsible for accomplishing the following tasks: • Constructing a database reviewing measures of gender equality outcomes, including social and gender norms, and empowerment, employed in research and evaluations of social protection in low- and middle-income countries, drawing on the systematic review of reviews mentioned above – 33 working days o Retrieving individual studies o Identifying measures o Screening measures • Undertaking analysis – 3 working days • Contributing to drafting at least one working paper and/or design of interactive database – 4 working days

DELIVERABLES & DATES Deliverables will include • One database in Microsoft Excel constructed, and prepared and clean for analysis – 31st May 2021 • Substantive contribution to 1 x Innocenti Working Paper – by 15th June 2021 • One PowerPoint presentation completed – by 15th June 2021

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

Education: • Advanced degree in Gender studies, Public Policy, Public Health, Economics, or relevant fields in the area of UNICEF work is required. A Bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Preference will be given to candidates in gender, social policy, international development or related field • Excellent academic performance as demonstrated by recent university or institution records

Experience: • Relevant work experience in research and analysis in an international organisation, research institute, university or similar organisation conducting research and analysis on issues related to gender and/or social protection • Experience in desk/literature reviews and/or annotated bibliographies • Experience with Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is a must.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. See General Terms & Conditions General Terms & Conditions for Consultants and Individual Contractors.docx Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

Depending on the type and length of contract, consultants may be eligible to receive Paid Time Off (PTO) credit at the rate of one- and one-half days (1.5 days) for each full month of service, to be credited on the last calendar day of the month, and up to 17 days for a maximum of 11.5 months contract.

Payment of professional fees shall follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant