Research Consultant Roster - Migration and Displacement - Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence

The Office of Research - Innocenti is UNICEF’s dedicated research arm. Its prime objectives are to improve international understanding of issues relating to children’s rights and to help facilitate full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child across the world. The Office aims to set out a comprehensive framework for research and knowledge within the organization to influence public debates and share best evidence and insights for the benefit of children.

The forced displacement of unprecedented numbers of refugees and migrants has focused global attention on the plight of unprotected populations, including large numbers of children. The impacts on and implications for children of these migrant/refugee movements is an area where research and evidence remains limited. Children and Youth are among the most vulnerable of migrants/displaced people/refugees, yet they are still largely invisible in data, evidence, policies and debates on migration and displacement.

The Office of Research- Innocenti– Migration and Displacement Team has initiated a number of research projects to examine existing knowledge and practice and identify research gaps, bringing together policymakers, researchers and practitioners to address critical questions relating to children.

The aim of the research agenda on children affected by migration is to provide a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge and to advance work in this field with a robust evidence base which will inform the development of policy and programme responses by UNICEF and other governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental actors. In particular, through the Young People under the Radar project, attention will be given to research on neglected and forgotten groups of children: left behind, stateless, trafficked, unaccompanied, children with disabilities.

The purpose of this call is to build a roster of consultants from which to draw candidates for selections planned in 2018 by the Migration Team. Selected candidates will be recruited as consultants to help carry out its research work planned in 2018 and 2019 on children on the move and children affected by migration. Consultants will work under the supervision and technical guidance of the migration team lead at Innocenti.

For more detailed information about this exciting opportunity please visit this link  Migration and Displacement.pdf

- PhD and/or Master degree in social sciences (international relations, political science, anthropology. Sociology), law, journalism, public policy, psychology, social work, or a related field;
- Extensive knowledge of issues affecting children in migration and displacement, as well as strategies to prevent or protect children from violence and exploitation; (Technical)
- Expertise on at least one of the following: refugees, unaccompanied and separated children, trafficked/smuggled, IDPs, left behind, statelessness disability, indigenous issues, urban slums, and labour migration; (Technical)
- Substantive qualitative data and literature review skills and capacity to carry out quantitative/statistical analyses autonomously; (Technical)
- Ability to organize own work and to carry out a research project, set project implementation schedule and coordinate with partners, according to deadlines; (Organisational)
- Comfortable with organizing and managing time, resources and information to achieve defined goals and optimum results, working to strict deadlines; (Organisational)
- Ability to speak and write fluently in English; good working knowledge of French, Arabic or Spanish an asset; (Language)
- Ability and flexibility to work both independently and as part of a team. Ability to listens to and acknowledges others’ perspectives and views;
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization;
- Experience in working in low income countries and with a range of partners from local to the national level;
- Commitment to UNICEF principles and mandate.