UNICEF is recruiting a Remote Implementation Research Consultant (12-month contract) under the Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti. Apply by 20 February 2026.
Overview
The UNICEF is seeking a Remote Implementation Research Consultant for a 12-month home-based consultancy under the Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti, headquartered in Florence, Italy.
This role (Job No. 590922) supports implementation research across multiple African countries, embedding rigorous mixed-methods research into government education programmes to strengthen scale-up and system-wide learning.
- Contract Type: Consultancy
- Duration: 12 months
- Working Arrangement: Home-based / Remote
- Duty Station (Supervising Office): UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, Florence
- Application Deadline: 20 February 2026 (W. Europe Standard Time)
Background & Role Purpose
This consultancy strengthens UNICEF’s education evidence portfolio by integrating implementation research into national education systems.
The consultant will support research activities in countries including:
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ghana
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Sudan
- Uganda
The objective is to evaluate implementation processes, measure effectiveness, and generate actionable evidence to inform scaling of government education programmes.
Key Responsibilities
The selected consultant will:
- Design and implement mixed-methods research studies
- Manage large-scale data collection rounds
- Lead enumerator training and field coordination
- Use digital data collection tools such as ODK, Kobo, and SurveyCTO
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis using Stata
- Apply experimental and quasi-experimental methodologies
- Collaborate with geographically dispersed research teams
- Produce analytical reports and dissemination products
- Generate implementation evidence to guide programme scale-up
The role requires coordination with UNICEF country offices and research partners to ensure high-quality and policy-relevant outputs.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree in:
- Economics
- Social Policy
- Statistics
- Related social science discipline
Professional Experience
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible research experience
- Experience in developing country contexts (required)
- Proven experience managing large-scale data collection
- Advanced proficiency in Stata
- Strong expertise in mixed-methods research
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Strong partnership and collaboration skills
Desirable Qualifications
- French and/or Arabic language skills
- Experience in:
- Early Childhood Education
- Foundational Learning
- Inclusive Education
- Digital Learning
- Experience working in the listed African countries
- Knowledge of qualitative coding methods
- Experience using PowerBI or dashboard tools
- Prior experience in UN or international development organizations
Application Requirements
Interested candidates must submit:
- Updated TMS profile and CV
- Cover letter
- Separate financial proposal
Applications must be submitted through the official UNICEF careers portal before the deadline.
UNICEF does not charge any fees at any stage of recruitment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is this a fully remote position?
Yes. This is a home-based consultancy with reporting lines to UNICEF Innocenti in Florence.
2. How long is the contract?
The contract duration is 12 months.
3. Is experience in Africa required?
Yes. Demonstrated experience working in developing country contexts is required.
4. What software skills are essential?
Advanced knowledge of Stata is required. Experience with ODK, Kobo, and SurveyCTO is expected.
5. Are national and international consultants eligible?
Yes. The consultancy is open to both national and international applicants.
6. What is the application deadline?
20 February 2026 (W. Europe Standard Time).
Conclusion
This UNICEF Remote Implementation Research Consultant role offers an opportunity to influence education system reform across Africa through rigorous, embedded research. Professionals with strong mixed-methods expertise, field coordination experience, and advanced quantitative skills should consider applying before the deadline.
SEO Keywords
UNICEF consultant 2026, UNICEF remote jobs 2026, home-based UN consultancy, UNICEF Innocenti jobs, implementation research consultant UNICEF, education research Africa jobs, Stata research consultant job, mixed methods research job remote, international development consultancy 2026, UNICEF education evaluation consultant
