Consultancy: Child Marriage Research and Analysis, PDDO, NYHQ, Requisition # 521570

The Consultant, Child Marriage Research and Analysis will work closely with and support the Special Advisor Gender Evidence and Measurement in: a) coordinating this research project overall; b) shaping and executing a research design, c) conducting background research, d) collaborating with research and/or country partners, e) undertaking and synthesizing data analysis, and f) drafting a publishable report/paper for publication on the drivers of declines in child marriage rates in 3-4 countries.

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BACKGROUND & RATIONALE

In 2016, ending Child Marriage was included as target 5.3.1 in the Sustainable Development Goals and concurrently, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Global Programme (GP) to Accelerate Action to End Child Marriage was launched.  The GP is now completing the final year of its first phase, and at the same time in 2018, UNICEF updated the current trends on global and national rates on child marriage.  Both the GP experience and global trends show that while there has been progress in reducing child marriage rates, this progress is uneven across countries with high burden and high prevalence, and that dramatic acceleration is required to end child marriage in one generation.

It is important, therefore, at this critical stage of the Global Programme’s transition to the next phase that we understand better what are the factors that are leading to significant declines in some countries while the rates are stagnating or even increasing in others.  It is equally important to assess how the strategies the GP has been supporting are aligning with national policies and programmes that are catalysts for declining child marriage rates if the next phase of the GP is to focus on the most effective strategies.  To this end, UNICEF is proposing to undertake a targeted multi-country research and analysis to produce a publishable paper that sheds light on the factors behind declining (or stagnating) child marriage rates in a few key countries in the last decade, providing insight for priority strategies for the immediate future.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Consultant, Child Marriage Research and Analysis will work closely with and support the Special Advisor Gender Evidence and Measurement in: a) coordinating this research project overall; b) shaping and executing a research design, c) conducting background research, d) collaborating with research and/or country partners, e) undertaking and synthesizing data analysis, and f) drafting a publishable report/paper for publication on the drivers of declines in child marriage rates in 3-4 countries. 

EXPECTED RESULTS: (MEASURABLE RESULTS)

The consultant will support the Special Advisor in her leadership and execution of this research project to produce the following key results:

Effective coordination and management of the day to day functioning, support, research, collaborative functions of the research project and the production of the final report/publication.

Good quality, robust and analytical synthesis of the existing research on this issue, both from the published literature, and from UNICEF’s evidence generated with support from the GP.

A well designed research project with suitable collaborators, quality data and analysis, and frequent vetting with team members and technical/strategic advisors.

Timely execution of the various data, analysis, research and writing components of the project, with the various collaborators delivering on their roles and responsibilities.

A good quality publication/report that is delivered on time.

DUTY STATION: REMOTE—WASHINGTON DC AREA

TIMEFRAME:

Start date: May 20, 2019

End date:  March 31, 2020

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced university degree (Masters or Ph.D.) in the social sciences with a data focus (economics, demography, statistics, sociology etc.);
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience and expertise in undertaking quantitative and qualitative research on some combination of gender, adolescent, reproductive health, economic, policy, or social change issues. Experience with child marriage research a plus.
• Strong research, conceptual and analytical skills relevant to Gender and Adolescent issues.
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking literature reviews, running, understanding and interpreting different types of quantitative models on social science research, collecting contextual and policy/programme related data.
• Excellent writing skills.  Ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and concisely in written, visual, and oral forms.
• High level of organizational and coordination skills and ability to manage and propel a research project’s activities forward by keeping tabs on the different strands of activities, research collaborators, and contributions needed for them in a timely manner.
• Responsiveness to deadlines and deliverables, and ability to work independently and flexibly;
• Fluency in English, knowledge of another UN language a plus

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.