Are you an experienced research professional looking for a high-impact, fully remote international consultancy in 2026? The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is now hiring a Paid Implementation Research Consultant (Req 590922) for a 12-month home-based contract.
This is a unique opportunity for both national and international consultants to contribute to education research across multiple African countries while working remotely.
If you have strong expertise in mixed-methods research, data analysis, and education systems, this consultancy could be your next big career move.
About the Consultancy
- Job Title: Implementation Research Consultant
- Job Number: 590922
- Contract Type: Consultant
- Duration: 12 Months
- Working Arrangement: Home-based / Remote
- Duty Station: Florence, Italy (Remote work)
- Category: Education
- Application Deadline: 20 February 2026
This consultancy supports UNICEF’s Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti team. The main objective is to embed rigorous research within education programmes in Africa to generate strong evidence on programme implementation and effectiveness.
Although the duty station is listed as Florence, Italy, the role is entirely home-based, allowing you to work remotely while collaborating with international teams.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them reach their full potential—from early childhood through adolescence. Promoting children’s rights is not just a job at UNICEF; it is a calling.
UNICEF is known globally for:
- Championing the rights of children
- Supporting education systems
- Working in emergencies and fragile contexts
- Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion
The organization offers competitive consultant compensation and an inclusive work culture that values integrity, respect, and accountability.
Countries Covered in the Research Portfolio
The selected consultant will support research that is currently active in several African countries, including:
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Ghana
- Guinea Bissau
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Sudan
- Uganda
The role focuses on strengthening education programmes, including areas such as early childhood education, foundational learning, inclusive education, and digital learning.
Key Responsibilities
The Implementation Research Consultant will:
- Support participatory mixed-methods research
- Contribute to rigorous programme evaluation
- Help generate evidence for scaling education programmes
- Manage large rounds of data collection and related trainings
- Work closely with geographically dispersed teams
- Strengthen partnerships with governments and stakeholders
The consultant will apply both qualitative and quantitative research approaches, including experimental and quasi-experimental methods.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify for this paid UNICEF consultancy, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualification
- A Master’s Degree in Economics, Social Policy, Statistics, or related social sciences.
Professional Experience
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in research design and implementation.
- Experience working in developing country contexts.
- Proven expertise in managing large-scale data collection efforts.
- Strong experience using tools such as ODK, Kobo, or SurveyCTO.
- Advanced proficiency in statistical software, especially Stata.
Research Expertise
- Demonstrated experience in both qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Familiarity with experimental and quasi-experimental designs.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
Communication & Team Skills
- Excellent written and oral English communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in multicultural and remote teams.
Desirable Qualifications
While not mandatory, the following will strengthen your application:
- Fluency in French and/or Arabic
- Experience in African education research
- Knowledge of PowerBI or other dashboard tools
- Experience in qualitative coding methods
- Prior work experience with the UN or other international organizations
- Experience in the countries listed above
UNICEF Core Values (CRITAS)
Successful candidates must demonstrate commitment to UNICEF’s Core Values:
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
- Sustainability
UNICEF strongly promotes diversity and inclusion. Applications are welcomed regardless of nationality, gender, disability status, ethnicity, or background. Reasonable accommodation is available for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.
Application Requirements
Qualified candidates must submit the following through UNICEF’s Talent Management System (TMS):
- Updated TMS profile and Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter
- Separate Financial Proposal (as required in the job posting)
⚠️ Important Notes:
- UNICEF does not charge any application or processing fees.
- UNICEF will never request bank account details.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- All selected candidates undergo rigorous background and reference checks.
Why Apply for This Paid UNICEF Research Consultancy?
Here are key reasons this opportunity stands out:
- 🌍 Work on impactful education research across Africa
- 🏠 Fully remote/home-based flexibility
- 💼 Competitive consultant compensation
- 📊 Engage in high-level implementation research
- 🤝 Collaborate with international experts and governments
- 📈 Strengthen your global development career
This role is ideal for experienced research professionals seeking meaningful international consultancy work in 2026.
Application Deadline
📅 Deadline: 20 February 2026 (W. Europe Standard Time)
📢 Advertised: 11 February 2026
With a short application window, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
How to Apply
To submit your application, use the official UNICEF job portal link below:
👉 Official Application Link:
https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/590922/implementation-research-consultant-open-to-both-national-and-international-consultants-homebased-req-590922
If you are passionate about generating evidence that improves education systems and supports children across Africa, this paid home-based consultancy at UNICEF offers a powerful opportunity to make a global impact while advancing your research career in 2026.
Apply now and contribute to shaping education policy and practice for millions of children worldwide.
