Research Officer, P2, Fixed Term, Abuja, Nigeria #123441

UNICEF Nigeria Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria is seeking a passionate and committed person to work in the role of Research Officer and invites applications from highly motivated and committed persons who want to contribute to results for children. If you are that person, we encourage you to apply and become part of a highly motivated and committed team.

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.

Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link

For every child, an advocate

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/

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.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, 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.

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 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.