UNICEF continues to advertise consultancy opportunities for professionals working across education, child protection, health, nutrition, climate policy and other areas affecting children. Current and recent postings include home-based, remote, office-based and field assignments in countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
For professionals looking to work with a major international organization without necessarily taking a traditional permanent position, UNICEF consultancy assignments can provide an opportunity to contribute specialist expertise to programmes serving children and families around the world.
UNICEF’s careers portal currently lists a broad range of consultancy positions, including assignments that allow consultants to work from home, sometimes with travel requirements.
UNICEF Consultancy Opportunities at a Glance
UNICEF consultancy assignments vary significantly in terms of location, duration, eligibility and working arrangements. Some are open internationally, while others are restricted to nationals of the country where the assignment is based.
Current and recent opportunities have included:
- Education programme and policy consultancy
- Digital learning and education coordination
- Child protection and social behaviour change
- Health and nutrition
- Climate education and child-responsive climate policy
- Research, evaluation and evidence
- WASH and climate-resilient services
- Social protection and child poverty
- Data and digital systems
- Communications and programme support
Education Consultancy Opportunities
Education remains one of the major areas in which UNICEF engages consultants.
One example listed by UNICEF is a Gateways to Public Digital Learning Initiative Coordination Consultant based in Amman, Jordan, with a 12-month home-based arrangement with travel. The assignment is connected to UNICEF’s education work and digital learning initiatives.
UNICEF has also advertised education consultancy assignments involving education programme implementation, policy development, evaluation and sector planning.
For professionals with experience in education policy, curriculum development, digital learning, education systems, programme management or monitoring and evaluation, UNICEF’s consultancy listings can therefore be an important source of opportunities.
Child Protection and Social Behaviour Change
Child protection is another important area of UNICEF’s consultancy work.
Recent UNICEF listings have included a Social Behaviour Change Consultant supporting the Global Programme Division’s Child Protection work. The consultancy was designed to develop a strategic roadmap for strengthening UNICEF’s global knowledge, learning and thought leadership on social and behaviour change to help prevent harmful practices including female genital mutilation and child marriage.
UNICEF has also advertised consultancy assignments focused on implementing child protection approaches within education systems.
For example, a national consultancy in São Tomé and Príncipe was designed to support the implementation of child protection interventions in schools, including referral pathways, standard operating procedures and child-friendly approaches.
These assignments can be particularly relevant to professionals with backgrounds in child protection, social work, social and behavioural change, education, safeguarding, policy development or programme implementation.
Health, Nutrition and WASH Consultancies
UNICEF consultancy opportunities also extend into health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene.
The organization’s consultancy listings have included technical assignments supporting large-scale food fortification and iodine nutrition across West and Central Africa. One such consultancy was structured around technical support to UNICEF’s nutrition agenda and involved work in Abuja with travel across the region.
UNICEF also advertises assignments related to WASH systems, including work examining how systems-strengthening support can improve services and outcomes.
These opportunities may appeal to specialists in public health, nutrition, health systems, WASH, epidemiology, programme management and monitoring and evaluation.
Climate Change and Climate Education
Climate change is increasingly connected to UNICEF’s work because environmental risks can have significant consequences for children’s health, education, safety and well-being.
UNICEF has advertised consultancy assignments focused specifically on climate education and child-responsive climate policy.
For example, a consultancy in Tanzania focused on developing a gender-responsive climate education curricular framework for primary and lower-secondary education. The assignment was structured as home-based work with travel and involved supporting the integration of climate education into national education frameworks.
UNICEF has also advertised roles supporting child-responsive climate policies, plans and programmes, including technical assistance and training related to climate adaptation and disaster-risk prevention.
Professionals with experience in climate policy, environmental policy, education, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction or child-focused climate programming may find these assignments particularly relevant.
Home-Based and Remote UNICEF Consultancies
One of the most attractive features of some UNICEF consultancy assignments is the possibility of working remotely or from home.
However, candidates should read each vacancy carefully because home-based does not always mean completely travel-free.
Some assignments are explicitly described as home-based with travel, while others are remote or work-from-home arrangements. UNICEF also advertises office-based consultancies and assignments that combine office work with travel.
Eligibility can also differ. Some consultancies are open to international applicants, while others are specifically designated for nationals of the relevant country.
What Qualifications Do UNICEF Consultants Need?
Requirements vary considerably depending on the consultancy.
A typical consultancy may require:
- A university degree relevant to the assignment.
- Several years of professional experience.
- Demonstrated technical expertise in the subject area.
- Experience working with governments, international organizations or development partners.
- Strong research, analytical and writing skills.
- Knowledge of relevant policies, programmes or technical standards.
- Strong communication and coordination abilities.
Some assignments require a financial proposal in addition to a CV, cover letter and technical proposal.
Candidates should therefore avoid treating UNICEF consultancies like standard employment vacancies. The application requirements can be highly specific to the individual assignment.
How to Find UNICEF Consultancy Opportunities
The safest way to find current UNICEF consultancy opportunities is through the organization’s official careers portal.
Search UNICEF Consultancy Vacancies
Applicants can search the portal using keywords such as consultant, consultancy, home-based, remote, education, child protection, climate, health, nutrition, WASH and other areas matching their professional expertise.
Because vacancies have individual closing dates, applicants should always check the specific vacancy before preparing an application.
Important Notice for Applicants
UNICEF states that it does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection or hiring process. The organization also says it will not ask applicants for bank account information during the recruitment process.
Candidates should therefore be cautious of anyone claiming to represent UNICEF and requesting money in exchange for an application, interview, appointment or recruitment service.