UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, answers

Despite the global learning crisis, even in the most difficult contexts, there are some “positive deviant” schools: those that are outperforming (in terms of learning, participation, and/or equity) other schools in similar contexts and with the same resources. Unfortunately, these positive deviant schools are often not identified and very little is known about the positive deviant practices and behaviours being implemented in these schools or their communities that make them perform better than others. Even less is known about how to incentivize and scale up these positive deviant practices and behaviours in lower performing schools.

The Data Must Speak (DMS) Positive Deviance research, led by UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight (UNICEF Innocenti), has been designed to address these evidence gaps and inform policy and implementation. The research aims to identify and scale positive deviant practices and behaviours to improve learning outcomes. The research uses both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as other methodologies and approaches including behavioural sciences, scaling science and implementation research.

The DMS research is currently being implemented in 15 countries (Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Lao PDR, Tanzania, Togo, Viet Nam and Zambia) and is co-funded by the Global Partnership for Education (GPE)/International Development Research Centre (IDRC) global programme for Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), Jacobs Foundation, Norad, Hewlett Foundation, Schools2030 (Agha Khan Foundation) and UNICEF internal resources.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will support finalizing the implementation of the qualitative research component of the DMS research in a maximum of 3 countries and develop research synthesis products and global public goods for diverse audiences.

Major areas of work and responsibility
The consultant will perform the following activities in collaboration with other DMS researchers and in partnership with Ministries of Education, UNICEF Country Offices and Regional Offices:

• Collaborate with DMS research team member(s) to develop coding framework and analytical strategies for qualitative data collected at country-level.
• Code qualitative data in French and/or English using Nvivo; ensure consistency in application of the codebook across multiple qualitative research consultants working in the same country.
• Complete qualitative data analysis by identifying key analytical points emerging from the data, including from individual school pairs, at the context level, and at the country level.
• Draft qualitative research sections and policy recommendations for the final Stage 3 report in French and/or English, dependent on the country.
• Draft country, regional, and/or global level reports and ensure publications adhere to UNICEF Innocenti Quality Assurance processes, including soliciting and responding to internal and external review.
• Develop additional dissemination outputs, knowledge products and donor reporting requirements, including blog posts, PowerPoint presentations, and/or social media content.
• Contribute to activities aimed at increasing the use of research findings by decision makers at country level. Work hand-in-hand with the DMS research team and the DMS co-managers to continuously learn, improve, and refine (using iterative processes) the DMS Stage 3 methodologies and its implementation at country-level, including through regular meetings.

Supervision
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of one of the two Data Must Speak Co-managers.

Methodologies to be used: Qualitative research methodologies.

For further information, please see the full Terms of Reference:  DMS Qual Researcher (Francophone) 2024 EXT.pdf

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in education, social sciences, political sciences, international development, or related field.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of five years of work experience at national or international levels, with developing country level experience being an asset.
• Experience in qualitative research methodologies, including interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory methods.
• Demonstrated skills in coding and analysis of large qualitative datasets and experience using Nvivo software for qualitative data analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including in translating research for policy-audiences and other education actors.
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team and to forge and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to UNICEF’s core values of care, respect, integrity, transparency, accountability, and sustainability.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.

Fluency in English required; proficiency in French required.

Desirable qualifications:

• Some research experience with data triangulation across quantitative and qualitative data sources preferred.
• Previous knowledge and experience with the Data Must Speak research methodology is an asset.
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations on research in the education sector is an asset.

Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks: 

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.