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 fulfilling 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, a better future

UNICEF works to ensure the rights of all children in the East Asia and Pacific Region. This means the rights of every child living in this country, irrespective of their nationality, gender, religion or ethnicity, to:

survival – to basic healthcare, peace and security;
development – to a good education, a loving home and adequate nutrition;
protection – from abuse, neglect, trafficking, child labour and other forms of exploitation; and
participation – to express opinions, be listened to and take part in making any decisions that affect them

How can you make a difference?

UNICEF has been working to support government, and partners scale up proven maternal nutrition interventions through multi systems through 22 country offices in Asia-Pacific, with intensive sub-national investments via the Child Nutrition Fund in 10 countries. Different countries have adopted multiple pathways to deliver these interventions as part of national flagship programmes, namely health, social protection and women’s empowerment.

Using four data sources – a) self-reported programme insights by UNICEF staff from NutriDash (2024-6) , b) quantitative data available from published survey reports, c) online interviews with UNICEF country level programme nutrition specialists/officers and d) systems readiness rubrics developed by UNICEF, a report is being prepared on Maternal nutrition in Asia: building systems that deliver at scale. However, there are secondary data analysis requirements particularly for three sections of the report (maternal diet diversity, fragility and equity).

Services of a researcher with sound background in epidemiology and well versed with secondary nutrition and dietary large-scale data analysis particularly maternal diet diversity to conduct specific analyses pertaining to maternal diet diversity, fragility and income and ethnic equity, prepare data tables and support drafting of quantitative sections of report.

Work Assignment and Deliverables:

Work assignment #1: To provide quantitative data analysis and technical writing services from 1 November 2026 to March 2027 for UNICEF Report - Maternal Nutrition in Asia (Remote/ home-based modality, not office-based)

Expected deliverable:

Consolidated data tables: Review, validate and update, as necessary the global maternal nutrition database using credible, publicly available data sources, with clear documentation of sources, definitions and reference periods. Update the 22 country profiles following database revisions, verification with UNICEF country offices.
New analyses (maternal diet diversity): Conduct a secondary analysis of publicly available diet-quality microdata and associated analytical resources from the Global Diet Quality Project and calculate relevant indicators for women aged 15–49 years on diets consumed, diet diversity and its determinants using the database variables.
New analysis (Fragility and inequities): run the analysis to spotlight maternal nutrition determinants with conflict and climate risk factors using INFORM risk and CCRI indices, income and Ethnic inequities.
Writing of quantitative sections: Prepare and write two quantitative sections of the 2027 report, including methods, findings, interpretation, tables, figures and policy-relevant messages and its data tables.
Work closely with the supervisor to respond to comments on analytical outputs and finalize the report.

Delivery schedule:

Expected deliverable 1: Inception report (Submit a detailed workplan, statistical analysis plan).
Delivery schedule: 15 November, 2026
Expected deliverable 2: Updated maternal nutrition database, statistical outputs and data tables.
Delivery schedule: 15 January 2027
Expected deliverable 3: Finalize quantitative sections for the main and companion reports.
Delivery schedule: 15 February 2027
Expected deliverable 4: Submit the diet diversity analysis separately to a peer review journal
Delivery schedule: 30 March 2027

Duration of Contract: 1 November 2026 – 30 March 2027

Duty Travel: None.

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

Education Qualification: Masters in Nutrition Epidemiology, Field Epidemiology, Population Sciences, Data Science, Statistics

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Proven experience on secondary data analysis for maternal nutrition, analysis of maternal dietary diversity data (well versed with R, Stata and note the software will not be provided).
Proven track record of producing high quality quantitative research reports and peer review journal papers particularly on maternal diet diversity in Asia.
Previous experience working with UNICEF and experience with datasets and programming on maternal nutrition and anaemia in Asia-Pacific.

Interested candidates are requested to submit CV, cover letter, full contact information of minimum 3 references, availability, and financial proposal in USD by 1 October 2026

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.

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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 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. 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.

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.

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 for ensuring 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.

Epidemiologist - Maternal Nutrition, Child Nutrition and Development Practice, UNICEF Centre of Excellence, Bangkok, Job No #595906