Research Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The UNICEF Multi-Country Office in the Pacific has embarked into the first year of its 2023-2027 country programme, with an expanded focus on evidence generation, data collection, research and publication on child rights issues across the Pacific. Much of the work of UNICEF across the 14 Pacific countries it supports, requires quality data and evidence on the situation of child rights, including knowledge generation on bottlenecks and challenges to achieving child rights, lessons learnt and good practices that could be replicated or shared across Pacific countries.

Having a consistent and high-quality internal system and a dedicated focal point to coordinate a UNICEF Pacific research agenda, by working with Field Offices and Programme sections, as well as with UNICEF global divisions, such as OGIP, Innocenti and Evaluations Office, will enhance knowledge and documentation on child rights issues that emerge from the Pacific region.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Social Policy, the individual will:

• Facilitate research on quality assurance processes at the Country Office (CO) level in accordance with the UNICEF Policy on Research. Ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures outline the quality assurance process for research and that checklists, guidance, and other tools are available to research project managers from all sectors. • Technically support UNICEF programme specialists and programme partners to formulate Terms of Reference for high quality research projects. • Review the Terms of Reference for upcoming major research projects and drafts of research reports. Assist with the peer review process of major research projects and coordinate feedback to Supervisor/CMT/stakeholders to ensure quality and compliance with the UNICEF Policy on Research and country office research priorities. • Produce summaries of research and evidence on critical themes relevant for development and humanitarian programmes implemented by the UNICEF Pacific office. • Assist with the recruitment and selection of appropriately qualified research consultants, ensuring that the selection process is in compliance with UNICEF standards for performance, accountability, transparency and ethics. • Support the establishment of a research programme for young students in the Pacific by way of setting up a pilot internship/research scholarship programme that enables UNICEF to generate interest on child rights issues in the Pacific. • Assist research project managers from all sectors with the development of a multi-method communication plan to disseminate research findings to intended audiences via user-friendly methods. • As part of Country Office Reporting, upload completed research reports to EISI to allow global sharing. • Ensure all research follows the ethical principles and standards outlined in the UNICEF Procedure for Ethical Standards in Research, Evaluation and Data Collection and Analysis. • Any other related tasks as required by the Supervisor.

☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Communication ☒ Creativity ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☒ Working in Teams

writing technical documents, applying analytical skills. Ability to organize, compile and summarize inputs from different writers, provide clarity using result-based languages. Ability to synthesize complex documents into key messages. Experience in project formulation, implementation, and monitoring of humanitarian actions. Experience in developing and implementing visualization of reports / dashboards Strong organizational, self-management and communication skills Commitment to CRITAS (care, respect, integrity, trust and accountability, sustainability) values

• Skills and experience that are useful in this role are: Research and writing experience. Experience with editing and proofreading UN documents and familiarity with UNICEF’s style and UN editorial manual desirable. Advocacy and presentation skills. Experience in the context of humanitarian action in the Pacific Region can be an advantage. Familiar with children's rights and gender issues in the context of humanitarian action. Experience in Information Management, including collection, processing, and analyzing data to generate information products.

Fiji is a middle-income country with adequate basic services. The UNICEF Pacific office is located in the capital city of Suva. Fiji along with many other Pacific Island countries is known for being one of the friendliest nations in the world. However, security precautions should be taken at all times. Fiji, in general, is a safe country where common sense goes a long way in avoiding risks such as pickpockets and house burglaries. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment the UN volunteer will be responsible for arranging his or her housing and other living essentials.