Research Support Coordination Specialist Child Well

Position: Research Support Coordination Specialist Child Well-Being
General
Description of assignment title:
Research Support and Coordination Expert

Assignment country:
Italy

Duty stations:
Florence

Work location:

On UN premises

Expected start date:
09/01/2026

Duration:
5 months(with possibility of extension)
Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal:
3. Good health and well-being

Host entity:
UNICEF Italy

Modality:
Onsite

Type:
National

Volunteer category:
Expert UCoS from Apr
2026

Work schedule:

Full-time

Number of Assignments:
1

Details
Mission and objectives:

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children''s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism.

To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society''s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries.

This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Context:

This assignment will be in the Planet, Participation and Well-being (PPW) research team - one of five research teams that are part of a larger office also including foresight analysis, data and analytics, data governance and programme effectiveness. The overarching aim of the office is to strengthen UNICEF''s global credibility and ability to be a global voice, influencer, and evidence leader for child rights.

The PPW team is responsible for two flagship evidence reports - State of the World''s Children and the Innocenti Report Cards - as well as a range of other activity including research on child poverty and on child well-being, behavioural science research and youth engagement.

Task description:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of Chief, Planet, Participation and Well-being team, the Research Support and Coordination Expert will involve in 5 main types of tasks:

1. Report production: organizing review processes, formatting and light editing of working papers, liaising with external editors and designers.

2. Knowledge management: including helping to organize our Sharepoint folders, organizing, archiving, cataloguing.

3. Project co-ordination: keeping track of time scales, keeping lists and maintaining contact with key stakeholders including advisory groups and internal partners, time scales and reminders.

4. Background research: including literature searches, writing up evidence summaries in order to contribute to reports.

5. Communications and dissemination: working with internal Comms team, drafting comms materials, drafting dissemination plans

Eligibility criteria
Age:
18 - 80

Required experience:

7 years

Nationality:
Candidate must be a national, legal resident or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements
Relevant experience:

7 years

Languages:

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Italian, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level:

Master''s degree in social science disciplines.

Competencies and values:

Ability to organize own work and work on own initiative with good judgement about when referral to others is required.

Strong interpersonal skills in establishing and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with internal colleagues and external partners.

Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Skills and experience:

Essential:

At least 7 years professional experience in a research/evidence context

Experience of preparing and editing research publications

Experience of management/coordination of complex projects, ideally within a research context

Excellent organizational skills and ability to work on own initiative

Collaborative working skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills in English

Desirable:

Research publications record

Experience of undertaking literature reviews

Experience of communication and disseminating research findings

Ability to work in Italian or in an additional UN language

Area(s) of expertise:

Communication, advocacy, public information, Community development

Driving license:

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