Consultancy - Qualitative Research Consultant – Data Must Speak - Global Office of Research and Foresight - approx. 181 working days (Remote/Work from home)

Job no: 580789

Contract type: Consultant

Duty Station: Florence

Level: Consultancy

Location:

Categories: Education, Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

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

Data and evidence are key to understanding and improving the performance and equity of an education system. Countries and development partners have increased investments in Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and learning assessments, yet data and evidence remain vastly underutilized in education policy, planning, and decision-making at all levels. Further research is needed to understand “what works” for improving data-driven policymaking and “how” to better align data and policy systems, particularly at the middle-tier level. There is growing focus on the role of the middle-tier to bridge policies developed at the national-level with teaching and leadership practices at the school level, which ultimately influence learning outcomes, equity, and inclusion. However, there is a significant research gap on the role of the middle-tier in using data and evidence to support education policymaking.

Data Must Speak to Strengthen Capacity and Advance Local Evidence Use (DMS SCALE) is a research initiative that aims to fill this evidence gap, fostering greater national ownership of knowledge derived from existing education data at the country-level. DMS SCALE will collaborate with MoE officials in four countries (Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Nepal) to understand their policy priorities and identify pertinent questions on learning, education, and gender equality, equity, and inclusion outcomes that can be answered by data already being collected. This includes engaging with local officials and harnessing the power of data held at the local level, including from school inspections and instructional supervision. DMS SCALE will employ experimental research methodologies to investigate the process of evidence-based decision-making, including robustly testing knowledge co-production, mobilization and dissemination approaches that could support data use and harmonization at the central and local levels.

How can you make a difference? 

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:

 • Work with a wider team of DMS researchers to develop and/or refine the conceptual framework, theory of change, research questions and research methods based on already completed country-level scoping reviews and policy/literature review.

• Work with a wider team of DMS researchers and with in-country stakeholders to design country-specific qualitative data collection instruments (e.g. Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Observations).

• Support the finalization of the qualitative sampling strategy and selection criteria for related participants who will be engaged during qualitative data collection activities.

• Organize meetings and relevant trainings with the hired survey firm/data collection entity, including on ethical protocols, piloting and data collection plans and timelines, as well as data quality assurance procedures.

• Strengthen the capacity of Ministries of Education and UNICEF field offices and through trainings and ‘learning-by-doing’ activities in the areas of qualitative data collection and analysis.

• Contribute to development and submission of Institutional Review Board (IRB) ethics protection protocols for qualitative data collection components prior to starting data collection activities.

• Support quality assurance of audio files and transcriptions to ensure high quality data submitted by hired survey firm.

• 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 qualitative research consultants working in the same country.

• Complete qualitative data analysis by identifying key analytical points emerging from the data

• Draft country, regional, and/or global level reports based on research results 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 managers to continuously learn, improve, and refine (using iterative processes) the DMS SCALE methodologies, including through regular team meetings and sense-making sessions.

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 minimum of five years of relevant professional 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.

● Experience overseeing primary data collection activities, including piloting, monitoring field activities, and quality assurance of qualitative data.

● 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, and accountability.

● Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.

● Fluency in English required; proficiency in French required – fluency is preferred.

● Some research experience with data triangulation across quantitative and qualitative data sources preferred.

● Experience working in the UN or other international development organizations on research in the education sector is an asset.

● Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate:

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

Advertised: 02 Apr 2025 Greenwich Standard Time

Deadline: 18 Apr 2025 Greenwich Standard Time

APPLY HERE