Research Officer, P2 at United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Job Title: Research Officer, P2

Background:

At UNICEF, we believe that smart demand, supply and use of evidence helps us drive better results for children. By asking the right questions, collecting and analyzing data can help us understand the experience of every child. And when the right data are in the right hands at the right time, decisions can be better informed, more equitable, and more likely to protect children’s rights.  

Under the direct guidance of the Planning, Monitoring, Data and Research manager, the incumbent is responsible for strengthening the value and quality of the production, analysis and use of research and data analysis produced by UNICEF Nigeria together with its partners for evidence-based advocacy and decision-making to enhance the delivery of results for children.

How can you make a difference:

We’re in search of a talented team player who will help us strengthen the generation and use of quality evidence for children in Nigeria. We are looking for someone who is inquisitive and comfortable working with datasets and research reports around a wide variety of development topics to generate practical insights and recommendations.  You’re able to grasp complex issues rapidly and translate them into simple, intuitive content for your user. You love working in a fast-paced environment and are ready to manage a wide range of tasks at the same time. You’re a quick learner, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented, and you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and work collaboratively as part of a team that’s helping to solve some of the toughest challenges facing children today. 

• Work in a fast-paced, agile and supportive team tackling diverse, complex challenges in the world of data and research to drive change. 
• Clear responsibilities over your own work. Our team encourages and trusts you to take ownership on your own areas while contributing to the team’s shared work as well. 
• Opportunities to engage with UNICEF colleagues and partners in Nigeria at national and subnational level.
• Opportunities to learn about new issues to take on more responsibility over time. 

Purpose for the job:

The Research Officer contributes to strengthening the value and quality of the production, analysis and use of research and data analysis produced by UNICEF Nigeria together with its partners for evidence-based advocacy and decision-making to enhance the delivery of results for children.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1.Analysis and synthesis of evidence on the situation of children and adolescents in Nigeria:

• Secondary analysis of available data and research related to the situation of children in Nigeria to generate practical insights related to children’s wellbeing that can be used to inform reflection, learning and improved programming practices in close collaboration with the monitoring specialist and PMR focal points in sections and field offices.
• Support the mapping and assessment of quality of available datasets relevant to the situation of children and adolescents and the development of UNICEF’s data warehouse in close collaboration with the monitoring officer and specialist, as well as the PMR focal points in sections and field offices.
• Visualization of data insights based on end-user needs and data literacy skills to promote the effective use of evidence to enhance decision-making for children.
• Evidence synthesis to support reflection, learning and program adaptation throughout the country program cycle, including to support the annual work planning and review exercises. 

2. Strengthening capacity and coherence of research efforts across the Nigeria Country office:

• Providing quality assurance for priority research investments in line with the integrated monitoring and evaluation and research plan (IMERP), including design and review of appropriate research methods, tools for data collection, collation, analysis and presentation.
• Development of a research checklist and/or light guidance to enhance quality research management across the office in close collaboration with the Evaluation Manager.
• Assess data and analysis capacity across the office and advice on training and guidance needs to enhance capacity.
• Organization and facilitation of trainings to enhance staff capacity in research management, data analysis, visualization and use.

3.Partnerships

• Contributes to effective partnerships with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, civil society and local leaders, the private sector, and other UN agencies to support sustained and proactive commitment to the Convention of the Rights of the Child and to achieve global UN agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals.  
• Fostering and building a network of academia, thought leaders, research institutions in Nigeria and/or the region, who conduct and advance research on child wellbeing in Nigeria in close collaboration with the planning specialist.
• Identify strategic potential partners to support a comprehensive evidence agenda for children and adolescents in Nigeria.

4. Knowledge management and support to program management

• Support strategic dissemination and publication of research, in close collaboration with program leads; communication, advocacy and partnerships section; field offices; and knowledge management specialist.
• Development of draft concise evidence summary briefs and presentations related to the situation of children in Nigeria.
• Supports and contributes to effective and efficient planning, management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the country programme.

Impact of Results:

The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Officer to the Nigeria Country Office and wide range stakeholders contribute to evidence-informed planning, monitoring and reporting of results for children. The successful synthesis of evidence will inform adaptive programme decisions, as well as reflection and learning in UNICEF and with partners.

Effective strengthening of UNICEF’s evidence function enhances UNICEF’s role in Nigeria as a knowledge leader and advocate for children, to support evidence-based decision making and programming that leaves no child behind.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here NCO Research Officer P2.doc

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

Minimum requirements:

• A University Degree in economics, statistics, international relations, applied research, or other social science field is required.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in social development analysis and/or applied research in the international development sector is required. In lieu of the minimum years of professional experience, a doctoral degree will be considered.
• Relevant experience in data analysis and/or research management in a UN system agency or organization is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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 (1)

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact (1)

(4) Innovates and embraces change (1)

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

(6) Thinks and acts strategically (1)

(7) Works collaboratively with others (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 24th December, 2024. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Official Job Website: https://jobs.unicef.org/