Low Value Consultancy: Research Syntheses on Investing in Human Capital, ESARO

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Background and Justification
UNICEF is developing a flagship publication for Africa over the next five months highlighting the lack of balanced investment in human capital in Africa, and the urgent need to address it in order to fully benefit from the demographic dividend in 20 years+ time. Building on UNICEF's
Fit for the Future
(2024) findings, which showed that early years receive very limited funding despite being the generation that will be in their twenties when this window opens, the work will focus on underfunded or absent policies such as childcare, young child grants, and early childhood education. We are seeking two researchers to join the initiative, contribute to the publication by providing a short synthesis note drawn from their existing research which shares econometric estimations or projections showing the long-term impact of investment in these areas. The researchers can participate in project meetings alongside UNICEF, the Learning for Wellbeing Institute, and colleagues from the Universities of York and Columbia, and will be a named author on the publication.

As a call for interest, we asked the researchers to submit a few short paragraphs summarizing the focus of their proposed synthesis note and the relevant estimations they have on these policies' returns 20 years post implementation. Also of interest are any reflections on national budget trends and fiscal space related to the cost of expanding coverage in young children.

Purpose of Assignment
As part of the development of UNICEF Africa's flagship publication on human capital, ESARO wishes to engage two researchers from African universities to synthesise their body of literature on the subject

Outputs/Deliverables
One research synthesis, no more than 20 pages maximum, to be delivered by October 31st 2025, with draft delivered for light review by October 22nd.

Qualification Or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

• Education: ongoing or complete PhD in Economics, development economics, or econometrics.
• Experience: Existing body of research and extensive publications in the area of investing in human capital.
• Assets: Must be of an African nationality and embedded within an African research institution or organization.

For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

How To Apply
Qualified candidates are requested to submit the following documents:

• Cover letter describing motivation for the consultancy and relevant experience.
• Expression of interest (EOI)/ Technical Proposal, demonstrating understanding of the terms of reference and proposing the consultant's approach to the assignment.
• Curriculum Vitae
• Financial Proposal for the assignment (all-inclusive.)

CONDITIONS
The consultant selected will be governed by, and subject to, UNICEF's General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts. All products and data developed and collected for this agreement are the intellectual property of UNICEF. The consultant(s) may not publish or disseminate the final report, or any other document produced from this work without the express permission and acknowledgement of UNICEF.

Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered "staff members" under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF's policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.