Research Specialist, P-3, Implementation Research in Education - Asia Focal Point, 364 days, OSE-Innocenti, remote/work from home

Join UNICEF Innocenti and lead research to influence education policies and strategies for children's rights.

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Application deadline 1 month ago: Thursday 2 Apr 2026 at 21:55 UTC

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Overview

Join UNICEF Innocenti and lead research to influence education policies and strategies for children's rights.

You have:

  • Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Economics, Education, Psychology, Sociology and Social Science.
  • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Research, Education Research, Social Science Research.
  • Strong experience in statistical analysis.
  • Experience drafting quality research outputs for different stakeholders and audiences.
  • Knowledge of econometric models and identification strategies.
  • Experience conducting education research in Asia required.
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
  • Experience with qualitative data collection methods and analysis techniques.
  • Previous UN experience.
  • Experience in the development and analysis of learning assessments.
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 USD.

Salary for a P-3 contract in Florence

The international rate of 74,649 USD, with an additional 0% (post adjustment) at this the location, applies. Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

More about P-3 contracts and their salaries.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Education

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Innocenti undertakes and commissions research on emerging or current issues of relevance for children and child rights. The office links research and global trends analysis to influence policies, programming, and advocacy, as well as innovations, and to drive future strategies and vision of the organization and the child rights agenda more broadly amongst governments, private sector, and other institutions.

UNICEF Innocenti uses foresight to set the agenda for children uncovering emerging trends and deepening understanding of key issues facing girls and boys and serving as a go-to office for advising UNICEF and a diversity of actors, including governments, the United Nations, private sector, civil society and children and young people themselves in the face of the continually changing global economy, political and security environment.

UNICEF Innocenti also strives to lead global discourse by creating an enabling environment and platform for children and young people along with global influencers and decision-makers to transform their contributions into future strategies, policies and actions of UNICEF and the world. Thereby positioning children and UNICEF at the centre of global conversation through prominent external engagement, communication, and influence.

  1. Research Planning and Coordination
  2. Oversight of Research Designs, Methods and Analysis
  3. Research Technical Support and Capacity Building
  4. Knowledge Management, Evidence Uptake and Partnerships.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Research Specialist (Implementation Research in Education)_P3_TA_Asia_JD

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

Minimum requirements:

  • Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in Economics (Soc.Sci), Education, Psychology, Sociology and Social Science.
  • Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in Research, Education Research, Social Science Research, Research Management, Implementation Research Programmes and any other related fields.
  • Skills:

    Strong experience in statistical analysis,

    Experience drafting quality research outputs for different stakeholders and audiences,

    Knowledge of econometric models and identification strategies,

    Experience conducting education research in Asia required.

  • Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

  • Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
  • Experience with qualitative data collection methods and analysis techniques;
  • Previous UN experience,
  • Experience in the development and analysis of learning assessments,
  • Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Potential interview questions

What experience do you have with conducting educational research in Asia? The interviewer wants to assess your regional expertise and understanding of local contexts. Discuss specific projects or research initiatives you have completed in Asia and the outcomes.
Can you describe a time when you had to draft a research output for a diverse audience? This question assesses your ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you approach statistical analysis in your research? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What qualitative research methods have you implemented in your work? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you've built partnerships in your previous roles? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a situation where you had to manage ambiguity in a research project. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you ensure integrity and accountability in your research? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you employ to advocate for children's rights through your research? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 2 months ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: unicef.org