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

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Research Officer, P2

Job no: 577763
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time

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
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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Application Closing Date
17th December, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should
Click here to apply online