Internal/External Vacancy Announcement – Research & Evaluation Specialist, (NOC), Kampala, Uganda #125440 (Fixed Term)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, [insert tagline]

Through its current country programme, which was designed in partnership with the Government of Uganda, UNICEF supports national efforts to accelerate the realization of children’s rights and progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals for children in line with the Government of Uganda’s Vision 2040. Moreover, the programme is aligned with the Third National Development Plan for 2020–2025 and forms an integral part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Uganda 2021–2025 as well as the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework.

Visit the UNICEF Uganda Website for more information about the exciting work we do in Uganda.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose of the Job:        

• To ensure that the UNICEF Country Office has useful, valid and reliable information on the situation of children’s and women’s rights (situation monitoring); the performance of UNICEF-supported programmes, including during emergency situations.
• Ensure UNICEF supported evaluations attain quality standards, and results are disseminated in a timely fashion to stakeholders for improving programme performance and learning.
• To ensure UNICEF country office has relevant mechanisms in place to develop a strategic and prioritized evidence generation plan with relevant quality assurance mechanisms and leveraged for results for children.
• To work within the UN country team to support UNCT goals for delivering valid and reliable information on the attainment of the SDGs and other goals, and on the performance of UN-supported programmes.
• To assist in the development and reinforcement of partnerships between the UNCT, government and other key players to collectively track progress on SDGs and other international commitments for children, including partnerships for research and data systems strengthening.
• Support, in alignment with ESAR Data Strategy and Framework 2022-5 (DSF), the strengthening of national data and statistical systems for children and assist in the development of national systems and capacities for research, and evaluation, with special attention to the interest, concern and participation of government, community, and civil society stakeholders.

Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks:            

1. Situation Monitoring and Country Analysis of data on child deprivation.
2. Technical support to Country Programme development and monitoring, with tools and guidance over the situation analysis of children.
3. Evaluation and Research.

(Please details of functions in the attached JD)

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in statistics, demography, development planning, social sciences, or a related technical field from an accredited institution.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and international levels in programme, situation and child monitoring. Must have proven experience in design and implementation of national social development surveys, such as DHS/MICS and management of national social data banks and conducting situation analysis on children and women.
• Skills: Technical and Non-technical skills required. Strong statistical and analytical, quantitative, and qualitative research skills, specialized training in statistics, teaching experience and ability to organize and implement training, demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization, Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

 Classified Job Descriptions – Research and Evaluation Specialist.pdf