Education research consultant, New Delhi, India, Education section,11.5 months Remote (With Possible Travel) Nationals Only#596578

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?

The consultant will provide independent technical review and advisory support to UNICEF India to strengthen the methodological rigour, implementation quality and analytical robustness of three education research studies. The assignment will focus on reviewing research designs and methodologies, monitoring progress against agreed milestones, assessing implementation readiness and data quality, and critically reviewing analytical outputs and emerging findings. The consultant will identify methodological gaps, implementation risks and areas requiring further technical attention, and provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the credibility and policy relevance of the research. The consultant will prepare defined technical review reports, progress monitoring updates and a consolidated technical handover report to support UNICEF’s oversight of research quality and inform its engagement with the agencies undertaking the studies. Responsibility for conducting the research, collecting and analysing data, and producing the research outputs will remain with the respective research agencies.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TMC0007742 External ToR Template.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Master’s degree (or Above) in education, social sciences, economics, statistics, public policy, research methodology or another closely related field
• Work Experience: Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in education research, social science research, policy research, programme evaluation, or related fields, including experience in reviewing research designs, methodologies, data collection tools, analytical outputs and research reports.
• Skills: Demonstrated experience in designing, reviewing or managing quantitative and qualitative research studies, preferably in education or related social sectors.

Strong understanding of research methodologies, including research design, sampling strategies, data collection methods, analytical frameworks and research quality assurance.

Demonstrated experience in reviewing research instruments, data quality processes, analytical approaches and interpretation of findings from primary and secondary data.

Experience in analysing education-related data and evidence, including learning outcomes, access, participation, equity and factors influencing educational trajectories. 

Demonstrated ability to critically review technical research documents, identify methodological and analytical gaps, and provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the quality and policy relevance of research.

Experience in monitoring research progress, coordinating with research teams and technical experts, tracking feedback and documenting methodological issues, risks and follow-up actions.

Strong analytical, report-writing and synthesis skills, including the ability to translate research evidence into actionable policy and programme recommendations. 

Strong written and verbal communication in English

• Language Requirements Fluency in English is required
• Desirables: Experience in education research in India, particularly in school education, foundational learning, secondary education, skills development or educational transitions.

Experience with longitudinal research, cohort tracking, learning assessments or studies examining programme effectiveness.

Familiarity with administrative education datasets, largescale assessments and household or institutional surveys.

Experience working with government departments, research institutions, international organisations or development partners.

Prior experience working with UN agencies or other international development organisations.

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 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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  TMC0007742 Financial proposal template.docx
• Technical Writing Sample: Two relevant technical, research or analytical writing samples demonstrating the candidate’s ability to analyse, interpret and communicate research evidence.