Research Specialist (Digital), P-3, Temporary Position, Florence, Italy, 364 days, Innocenti-Global Off Research &Foresight, #00135501

UNICEF Innocenti has a dedicated research team specialized in generating evidence on the impacts of digital technologies on children's rights and wellbeing. Since 2015, the Digital Engagement and Protection (DEP) Unit has designed and led primary data collection efforts around the world to understand the risks and opportunities children face online. The current portfolio of work involves research in more than 40 countries, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, through our Global Kids Online and Disrupting Harm research projects.The unit is seeking to recruit a Research Specialist to lead the inception phase of a new longitudinal mixed-methods study in the UK, working closely with the Programme Specialist (Digital) and Research Manager (Digital). This includes research design, defining the implementation strategy, identifying key partners, identifying ethical and safeguarding considerations and mitigation strategies, in collaboration with and supported by the project team.

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 a Digital future

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF Innocenti - Global Office of Research and Foresight (UNICEF Innocenti) is the dedicated office for research and foresight at UNICEF.

• 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 analyses 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 children and serving as a resource to advise 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 the global conversation through prominent external engagement, communication, and influence.

UNICEF Innocenti has a dedicated research team specialized in generating evidence on the impacts of digital technologies on children's rights and wellbeing. Since 2015, the Digital Engagement and Protection (DEP) Unit has designed and led primary data collection efforts around the world to understand the risks and opportunities children face online. The current portfolio of work involves research in more than 40 countries, primarily in low- and middle-income countries, through our Global Kids Online and Disrupting Harm research projects.

The unit is seeking to recruit a Research Specialist to lead the inception phase of a new longitudinal mixed-methods study in the UK, working closely with the Programme Specialist (Digital) and Research Manager (Digital). This includes research design, defining the implementation strategy, identifying key partners, identifying ethical and safeguarding considerations and mitigation strategies, in collaboration with and supported by the project team.

The Research Specialist is a seasoned researcher and research coordinator with strong experience designing and coordinating research projects involving children. The Research Specialist has experience with research design, implementation, mixed-methods research, and collaborating with a range of stakeholders, implementing partners and vendors. Experience of coordinating longitudinal studies, school-based studies, mixed-methods studies, and/or multi-country projects would be considered valuable assets.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TA Research Specialist (Digital).docx

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

Minimum requirements:

1. Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in a relevant social science discipline.
2. Work Experience: At least 5 years of professional work experience coordinating research projects at international level. Experience leading on the design of research projects is essential. Experience in managing quantitative and qualitative data collection at national level is essential. Experience of primary research involving children and young people is essential. 
3. Skills: Strong research and research management skills, as well as leadership and people-management skills. Experience with Data Collection, Partnership development, Research Design, Research Ethics, and Stakeholder Engagement.
4. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

1. Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
2. Experience managing longitudinal, school-based and/or multi-country research projects.
3. Experience coordinating with multiple institutional and individual vendors.
4. Experience coordinating research on behalf of UNICEF, setting up research partnerships.
5. Experience working in dynamic and fast-moving projects. 
6. 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:

Please apply in English.

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 male candidates from the Global South 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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

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.