Gender & Development Specialist- P4

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.

Purpose of the Position

Within the context of UNICEF's overall strategic priorities, research undertaken at OoR-Innocenti currently incorporates a strong analysis of gender issues across all areas of work. The Office now aims to strengthen this capacity by building a gender research programme that addresses critical gaps in UNICEF's research and analysis on gender issues, and informs UNICEF's programming.

To this end, OoR– Innocenti seeks an experienced gender researcher committed to advancing women's and children's rights and enhancing gender equity in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals. The post-holder will lead the development and implementation of a research programme that addresses key issues and constraints to achieving gender equity

The position offers an exciting opportunity to build an innovative research programme within UNICEF that enhances an emphasis on gender issues, engaging closely with researchers, policy-makers, practitioners and other actors who rely on evidence to improve outcomes for women and children. The post-holder will work with colleagues in the Office, and other parts of UNICEF, Regional and Country offices as well as the Gender Section in Programme Division to build on the existing portfolio of research to develop new projects and coordinate existing research on gender. Areas of current focus include: adolescent wellbeing and empowerment; poverty, inequality and social protection; violence, child protection and child rights. This position should strengthen the capacity for gender analysis within the Office, while also engaging with gender experts across UNICEF to enhance knowledge and share evidence on gender issues and analysis.

 Development of the research program would be guided by the following points of departure: 

• A research focus with a specific child or adolescent angle, consistent with UNICEF's Strategic Plan.
• Scope that may cover a variety of contexts including challenging, fragile or humanitarian settings, or at the nexus of humanitarian and development interventions;
• Potential to examine different levels or domains of analysis including household and community; private and public institutions and relevant policies and systems.
• Use of rigorous research methods and analysis to fill identified knowledge gaps where child rights concerns are particularly strong and where UNICEF needs a stronger evidence base for programming, policy dialogue, and advocacy.

Builds collaborative networks and partnerships with diverse stakeholders including academic partners, policy actors and funders. 

Key Expected Results

The incumbent is expected to develop and lead a research programme on gender relevant to the diverse contexts in which UNICEF works. S/he will be required to develop and oversee the implementation of research projects leading to thorough, well-reasoned written outputs including working papers, analytic reports, journal articles and other publications. The incumbent will develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues across UNICEF and with wider academic, policy and other relevant networks. The post-holder will contribute to discussions and debates on development issues, research strategy and priorities within the Office and in the broader academic and policy community.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks

Under the guidance of the Associate Director, and with input from Principal Advisor, Gender and Development (Gender Section/Programme Division, NY), the incumbent will lead the development and implementation of a programme of research on gender that is relevant to the work of UNICEF and aligned to on-going and planned work within the Office of Research-Innocenti.

The post-holder will be responsible for the following:

Conceptualize, develop and manage a portfolio of research on gender issues relevant to UNICEF, building on and strengthening current areas of work within the Office and priorities of UNICEF's strategic plan. The programme should engage with UNICEF's work across diverse sectors and contexts including in fragile, humanitarian, conflict and development settings and be relevant for supporting robust and evidence based programming in the field. (30%)

Design and implement research projects and related activities. This includes development of proposals, identification of relevant research partners, leading research design, undertaking or overseeing data collection and analysis, supervision of staff and consultants as required, managing resources and collaborations that ensure high quality research outputs and publications. (30%)

Produce and effectively communicate research findings to internal and external audiences including preparation of high quality publications for peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes; working papers; policy reports and briefs; web stories, blogs and other media. Communicate research findings to a wide range of audiences, within UNICEF and externally including academics, policy makers, practitioners, media and others. (20%)

Contribute to research activities of the office, bringing gender expertise to cross-office initiatives, and selectively for high profile gender research at HQ or in the field, including reviewing project proposals, activities and publications to ensure relevant gender dimensions are represented. This includes appropriate outreach and partnership with country, regional, and HQ colleagues Provide support to colleagues and work collaboratively across other areas of the Office's work, and undertake relevant tasks assigned by management. (10%)

Identify partnership and resource mobilisation opportunities and build a network of research, policy and funding partners working on gender issues including within UNICEF, and in UN agencies, governments, donors, NGOs and the international academic community. Contribute to resource mobilization activities for the research programme, represent the Office in UNICEF's gender network, at key internal meetings and convenings, and at international meetings and academic conferences. (10%)

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Advanced university degree in development-related disciplines with a strong focus on gender issues and analysis, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. A Ph.D with research experience highly desirable.

Experience: 

• A minimum of eight years of experience in gender research in an academic or research institution, NGO, government or the development sector, with developing country research experience essential;
• A strong publication record in fields relevant to gender and development, with a focus on at least one of the areas of current focus referenced in Section II above;
• Experience in gender research in humanitarian contexts highly desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing research projects in developing country contexts, with experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis;
• Demonstrated ability to forge and manage collaborations with programme and research colleagues, and work collaboratively in teams across a variety of projects, and comfortable working in a multidisciplinary environment;
• Experience with fundraising and resource mobilization for research;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Staff supervision and management experience is an asset;

Demonstrated commitment and ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and commitment to UNICEF and its vision. 

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication
• Working with People
• Drive for Results

Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising (1)
• Formulating strategies/concepts (2)
• Analyzing (3)
• Relating and networking (2)
• Deciding and initiating action (2)
• Applying Technical Expertise (2)
• Planning and Organizing (2)

 To view our competency framework, please click here. 

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.