Case-based Causal Methods Lead Consultant, Evaluation Office, New York, USA (Remote), 6 months - Req: 594411

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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to care

How can you make a difference?

The Evaluation Office of UNICEF is conducting the Evaluation of child protection systems strengthening for prevention of and response to violence against children and women, an evaluation included in the UNICEF Plan for Global Evaluations 2026–2029. The evaluation focuses on an important programme area for the organization given the breadth of the child right deprivations that programmes intend to address, the scale of the investment and the strategic importance of violence prevention and response. The evaluation serves the purposes of accountability and the generation of learnings to inform the adjustment of programmes, policies and resource mobilization to strengthen their alignment with the Strategic Plan 2026–2029.

The evaluation will generate independent evidence on the results of UNICEF’s child protection systems strengthening (CPSS) approach for the prevention of and response to violence against children and women. It will focus on outcome-level change during the period of the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022–2025, while it will also incorporate a forward-looking lens to inform implementation during 2026–2029. The evaluation will assess the relevance, coherence and effectiveness of UNICEF approach and country programmes performance, and identify which UNICEF investments and conditions are associated with progress towards higher maturity levels of child protection systems. It will also identify good practices and actionable lessons to inform refinement, adaptation and scale-up, thereby supporting both organizational learning and accountability for results.

The Case-based Causal Methods Lead consultant will lead the design and implementation of the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) component of the evaluation to answer causal questions through programme theory-based approach. The consultant will provide methodological leadership on the design, implementation, reporting and dissemination of results for the application of the case-based causal technique QCA and their integration and alignment with other evaluation components, generating cross-nationally comparable and quality evidence on the outcome level results of the UNICEF CPSS strategy to prevent and respond to violence.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToR Case-based Causal Methods Lead Consultant.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Advanced university degree (Minimum Master's) in: Political Science / Comparative Politics; Statistics / Applied Social Research; Public Policy / Evaluation; Social Sciences with quantitative methods specialization.

Work Experience:

1. Minimum 10 years of demonstrated experience designing and applying QCA in international development or complex designs for research or evaluations
2. Experience working with the UN system or international organizations
3. Track record of leading multi-country comparative studies

Language Requirements:

4. Fluency in English (written and spoken) required. Working knowledge of French or Spanish an asset.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

5. Advanced data management and analysis skills

6. Knowledge of child protection programmes

7. Strong report-writing and communication skills

8. Team player mentality and desire to collaborate in a multicultural and diverse work setting, as well as works independently

Desirables:

9. Experience integrating AI/ML tools in evaluation or research

10. Experience working in low- and middle-income country contexts

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

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template): Financial proposal xxx3756.docx
• A detailed technical proposal: External Technical ToR Annex.pdf

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not visible on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.