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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to advocacy, hope, care, protection, safety, chance

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF India’s Country Programme Document (2023–2027) commits to strengthening child-sensitive social protection systems, advancing early childhood development, and supporting policies that reduce gender inequalities. The UNSDCF for India identifies social protection and human capital development as priority areas for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Looking ahead, UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 places care systems and social protection at the heart of its global agenda, emphasizing integrated approaches that link nutrition, learning, protection, and women’s empowerment. Childcare reform sits at the intersection of these commitments: it directly advances multiple child rights domains while positioning UNICEF as a credible partner in shaping India’s care economy. The ToR also aligns with SPSP approved workplan commitments (Act#5) providing technical support to MoWCD in drafting national childcare policy guidelines—will strengthen inter ministerial coordination and ensure adherence to minimum protocols.

This consultancy will therefore deliver two technical outputs:

1. National Policy Guidelines on childcare as a core pillar of the care economy, focusing on affordable, accessible, quality and universal childcare. The Guidelines will be addressed primarily to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, with the Ministry of Labour and Employment as a secondary client, and other relevant stakeholders. They will benchmark minimum standards against global evidence and Indian experience, map existing models, analyse the uneven uptake of the Palna scheme, and outline financing strategies.

2. Operational Blueprint for Palna, for UNICEF’s internal use, translating the Guidelines into a practical framework. This will cover infrastructure, staffing qualifications and ratios, funding sources, curriculum, group sizes, and engagement strategies with ministries and partners. The Blueprint will enable UNICEF to demonstrate a proof of concept by supporting the establishment of a Palna crèche in a state where the scheme has not yet taken off.

Together, these outputs will give UNICEF India a unified institutional position on childcare across SPSP and the Nutrition Network, align with CPD, UNSDCF and Strategic Plan 2026–2029 commitments, and support structured engagement with government, private sector and NGO partners.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Childcare Policy Consultant.pdf

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

Minimum requirements: |(Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

[Include the minimum requirements as per the approved TOR. Ensure that the vacancy criteria are fully aligned with the qualification for the assignment.]

Education: Advanced degree (Master’s or above) in Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field. Specialisation and record of research in the care economy is preferred.

Work Experience: Minimum 10-12 years of progressively responsible experience in care economy policy design, early childhood development, or women’s economic empowerment
Language Requirements: Hindi and English
Knowledge/Expertise/Skills: Demonstrated experience of producing high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs or strategy documents for a UN agency, Government or major development organisation, including work with governments, government schemes and key ministries

Proven familiarity with India’s child care landscape, including relevant schemes (ICDS, Palna, PMMVY, GPDP) and key ministries (MoWCD, MoLE, MoHUA).
Demonstrated understanding of care economy-child care linkages and integrated service delivery.
Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and engaging with senior government officials.
Strong analytical writing and facilitation skills; ability to synthesise complex evidence into accessible, professionally written documents.
Prior experience working with or for UNICEF or a UN agency in India is an advantage.

Desirables: Extensive experience in care economy-with expertise on ECD

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

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal Childcare Policy Consultant.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal: Writing samples submitted – 1-2 reports

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Individual consultancy for childcare policy reform (Indian nationals only, remote with possible travel)