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For every child, the right to learn.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

Efforts to improve the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of children and adolescents are critically constrained by the absence of robust, reliable, and actionable approaches to measurement, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where over 90 per cent of children reside. While global attention to child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) has increased, existing data systems remain fragmented, under-coordinated, and insufficiently contextualized, resulting in a partial and often underestimated picture of mental health needs, determinants, and outcomes.

Available evidence indicates that more than 13 per cent of adolescents aged 10–19 live with a diagnosed mental disorder, with anxiety and depression accounting for approximately 40 per cent of cases. Suicide and self-harm remain among the leading causes of death among adolescents globally, while behavioral, anxiety, and depressive disorders account for millions of years lived with disability. Despite this burden, mental health data are frequently underutilized in decision-making, poorly integrated across sectors, and inconsistently communicated to policymakers and practitioners.

UNICEF is uniquely positioned to address these challenges. Through its global presence, long-standing partnerships with governments, and leadership in population-based data collection, including the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), UNICEF has demonstrated its capacity to generate and translate high-quality data into action. The Measuring Mental Health among Adolescents and Young People at the Population Level (MMAPP) initiative exemplifies this role, providing validated, culturally adaptable tools developed in partnership with young people and country teams.

As global momentum builds toward the post-SDG agenda, the Data & Analytics Section within UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti (OSE) is seeking to strengthen its leadership in CAMH measurement to ensure that mental health data are systematically generated, harmonized, and used to drive policy, programming, and investment.

UNICEF is also developing a parallel child and adolescent non-communicable disease (NCD) measurement portfolio, drawing on shared expertise in survey methodology, indicator development, and global data infrastructure. Together, these workstreams constitute a growing and complex global measurement portfolio with active engagement across country offices, academic partners, donors, and youth stakeholders.

As the portfolio expands across multiple simultaneous workstreams — including active country implementation studies, TAG establishment, toolkit dissemination, repository development, youth network building, and donor-funded research agenda implementation — UNICEF requires dedicated research analyst(s) to support the CAMH Measurement Technical Lead in delivering the portfolio with quality and coherence. This consultancy is designed to provide substantive support across the portfolio’s core workstreams during a critical period of growth and external launch.

The Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Research Analyst will provide substantive programmatic and technical support to the CAMH Measurement Technical Lead, contributing to the execution and coordination of the CAMH measurement portfolio across its active workstreams. The consultant leads designated workstreams — including the CAMH measurement repository, country implementation coordination and quality assurance, and youth network development — while also supporting the Technical Lead across the broader portfolio. The consultant works with a high degree of initiative and organizational independence within the strategic direction set by the Technical Lead, escalating technical and methodological decisions as appropriate.

How can you make a difference?

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the Terms of Reference here: ToR Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement Research Analyst TMS text.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: Master’s degree : An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public health, global health, psychology, social sciences, epidemiology, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in a relevant field combined with qualifying experience of two additional years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A degree in relevant quantitative or communications discipline is equally considered.

Work Experience:

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in global health, public health research, programme coordination, or a related field. Post-graduate research experience is considered equivalent.
Demonstrated experience contributing to measurement, evidence synthesis, or research activities in global health or social science contexts, including familiarity with measurement tools, frameworks, or evidence review methodologies.
Experience coordinating multi-stakeholder processes, including expert consultations, advisory groups, or community engagement, with demonstrated ability to manage logistics, prepare materials, and document outputs.
Experience supporting or coordinating country-level programme implementation, including communication with country offices or field teams, is an asset.
Demonstrated interest or experience in youth engagement, network development, or participatory approaches to research and evidence generation is an asset.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage concurrent workstreams, maintain documentation systems, and coordinate across multiple partners independently.
Excellent written communication skills in English, including experience drafting reports, briefs, guidance materials, or equivalent outputs.
Exposure to child and adolescent mental health, global health measurement, or UNICEF/UN system contexts is strongly desired.
Familiarity with UNICEF’s data platforms or comparable intergovernmental data infrastructure is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate Care

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 (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter (max. 2 pages) describing relevant experience.
A separate financial proposal Financial proposal Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement Research Analyst .docx

Remarks:

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.

Consultancy - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Measurement Research Analyst Consultant,Data & Analytics Section, OSE, Florence, Italy,12 Months (Remote)