Consultancy: Programme and Policy: Senior Economic Consultant - Req.#581755

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, HOPE!

Vacancy Announcement: Consultant Consultancy Title: Programme and Policy: Senior Economic Consultant      Section/Division/Duty Station: Director’s Office Programme Group – NYHQ  Duration: September 30, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Home/ Office Based: REMOTE  About UNICEF  If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. UNICEF has over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries. BACKGROUND Purpose of Activity/Assignment:   The purpose of this consultancy is to provide expert guidance on the development of a research and thought leadership agenda on the debt crisis and its impacts on children. The consultant will support the shaping of the research direction, advise on the production of key outputs, and contribute to the delivery of a flagship publication. This includes identifying and engaging contributing authors, facilitating research activities, supporting coherence across outputs, and advising on the preparation of a final book that synthesizes findings and policy insights. Scope of Work: Under the supervision of the Programme Group Director (and in close consultation with the Executive Manager), this consultancy will provide technical guidance and expert support to the following tasks: 1. Contribute to the development of a research framework on the debt crisis and children Building on UNICEF’s legacy of Adjustment with a Human Face and in response to today’s global debt challenges, the consultant will provide expert input to the articulation of a forward-looking research framework. This framework will help shape UNICEF’s intellectual and policy engagement on the debt crisis and its implications for children, connecting historical lessons with present fiscal realities. Activities may include: • Advising on the articulation of long-term objectives for UNICEF’s role in global discourse on debt and children. • Recommending a typology of research and thought leadership approaches (e.g., explorative, formative, and directive). • Contributing to the outline of methodological approaches and defining intended audiences. 2. Advise on engagement with advisory and expert groups The consultant will provide support in leveraging established governance and expert structures to strengthen the implementation of the research agenda. Activities may include: • Recommending approaches for convening the external advisory panel to ensure global relevance. • Advising on engagement with the internal steering committee to ensure alignment with UNICEF priorities. • Supporting the use of the internal expert group for technical input and thematic feedback. • Suggesting ways to facilitate regular knowledge exchange across these groups. 3. Support identification of research themes and contributors The consultant will contribute to refining and operationalizing a focused set of research themes aligned with the overarching initiative. Activities may include: • Recommending and refining key research themes (e.g., debt and social spending, intergenerational equity). • Mapping existing evidence and highlighting critical gaps. • Suggesting potential researchers or institutions for commissioned work. • Advising on approaches to statistical and qualitative analysis relevant to the project. 4. Provide technical review and quality input across research activities The consultant will contribute to maintaining analytical rigor and policy relevance across the research outputs. Activities may include: • Reviewing research drafts and providing written or verbal feedback. • Advising on coherence in analytical frameworks and thematic framing. • Ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s broader strategic goals. • Supporting peer review and quality assurance processes. 5. Support the development of the flagship publication The consultant will provide input into the preparation of the final research publication and advise on the publishing process. Activities may include: • Recommending suitable publishers and formats for dissemination. • Providing editorial feedback on the manuscript. • Advisi