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UNICEF is hiring an ICare Consultant to support the Global Country Workshop on OSE Data & Analytics. This is a 3-month remote consultancy opportunity with UNICEF’s Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti in Florence, Italy.
The UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 position is ideal for an experienced professional with a strong background in child protection, children’s rights, alternative care, international research, workshop facilitation, and social science research.
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UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 – Job Overview
The UNICEF ICare Consultant will support the Child Protection and Development Data Unit (CPDD) within UNICEF’s Data and Analytics Section. The consultancy focuses on strengthening the implementation and rollout of the International Classification of Alternative Care of Children (ICare) within national statistical systems.
Job Details
| Job Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | UNICEF |
| Position | ICare Consultant |
| Job Number | 595015 |
| Contract Type | Consultant |
| Contract Duration | 3 months |
| Duty Station | Florence, Italy |
| Work Arrangement | Remote / Home-based |
| Functional Area | Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation |
| Level | Consultancy |
| Advertised | 31 August 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 7 September 2026 |
UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 – About the Assignment
The UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 consultancy is connected to UNICEF’s work on alternative care for children.
Children in alternative care are often not adequately represented in official statistics and national or international indicator frameworks. Differences in definitions, classifications, administrative systems and survey methodologies can make it difficult to produce comparable statistics across countries.
In March 2026, the UN Statistical Commission endorsed the International Classification of Alternative Care of Children (ICare), which was developed by UNICEF in consultation with countries and partners.
The ICare classification provides an important foundation for strengthening statistical standards concerning children in alternative care.
The selected UNICEF ICare Consultant will therefore support the preparation, delivery and follow-up of an in-person country workshop designed to contribute to the implementation and rollout of ICare within national statistical systems.
What Will the UNICEF ICare Consultant Do?
The UNICEF ICare Consultant will work within UNICEF’s Child Protection and Development Data Unit and contribute to activities associated with the global country workshop.
The assignment is particularly relevant to professionals experienced in:
- Child protection research
- Children’s rights
- Alternative care of children
- Care reform
- Social service workforce strengthening
- International research
- Data and analytics
- Multistakeholder workshops
- Workshop planning and facilitation
- National statistical systems
- Monitoring and evaluation
The consultancy requires strong collaboration with stakeholders and the ability to operate effectively in an international and multicultural environment.
UNICEF ICare Consultant Requirements
To qualify for the UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 opportunity, applicants must meet the required education and professional experience criteria.
Education Requirements
Applicants must have a:
Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, or another related social science field.
The relevant academic background should provide a strong foundation for work involving child protection, children’s rights, research or related social policy issues.
Professional Experience
Candidates must have:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience conducting international research in the broad area of child protection and/or children’s rights.
This is an experienced-level consultancy. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate substantial international professional experience relevant to the assignment.
UNICEF ICare Consultant Skills and Expertise
Successful applicants should demonstrate experience and knowledge in several important areas.
Child Protection and Care Reform
Experience working with relevant stakeholder groups on:
- Care reform
- Child protection systems
- Social service workforce strengthening
- Alternative care
- Children’s rights
is highly relevant to the UNICEF ICare Consultant role.
Workshop Planning and Facilitation
Applicants should have demonstrated experience in:
- Planning workshops
- Delivering workshops
- Facilitating workshops
- Working with multistakeholder groups
- Coordinating international stakeholders
- Supporting workshop follow-up activities
ICare Knowledge
Knowledge and familiarity with international frameworks and guidelines related to alternative care of children, including the International Classification of Alternative Care of Children (ICare), is required.
Communication Skills
The UNICEF ICare Consultant should have:
- Excellent written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Strong stakeholder engagement abilities
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong time management
- Ability to meet deadlines
Language Requirements
English: Fluency in English is required.
Additional UN language: Intermediate skills in a second official United Nations language would be an advantage.
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UNICEF ICare Consultant – Remote Work Opportunity
One of the key features of this UNICEF consultancy 2026 is the home-based working arrangement.
Although the duty station is listed as Florence, Italy, the position is advertised as remote/home-based and has a contract duration of three months.
This makes the UNICEF ICare Consultant job potentially attractive to qualified professionals who have the required international research and child protection experience and can work effectively in a remote consultancy environment.
Applicants should carefully review the official Terms of Reference because assignment-specific requirements and expectations are detailed there.
UNICEF ICare Consultant Application Documents
Qualified candidates are required to submit documents through the UNICEF Talent Management System (TMS).
Applicants should prepare:
- An up-to-date UNICEF TMS profile
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- Separate financial proposal
The financial proposal is an important part of the application and should be prepared using the format requested by UNICEF.
How to Apply for the UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026
Interested candidates should apply through the official UNICEF recruitment portal.
Application Deadline: 7 September 2026
Because the deadline is approaching, qualified candidates should prepare their CV, cover letter and financial proposal as early as possible.
Official UNICEF application:
Important UNICEF Recruitment Information
UNICEF states that it does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection or hiring processes.
Applicants should be cautious of anyone claiming to represent UNICEF and requesting money or banking information as part of the recruitment process.
UNICEF also states that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and progressed to the next stage of selection.
Why Apply for the UNICEF ICare Consultant Job?
The UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 opportunity provides experienced child protection and children’s rights professionals with the opportunity to contribute to an important global statistical initiative.
Key highlights include:
- UNICEF consultancy opportunity
- 3-month contract
- Remote/home-based work arrangement
- Florence, Italy duty station
- Work connected to child protection and children’s rights
- Opportunity to support the implementation of ICare
- International and multistakeholder engagement
- Work within UNICEF’s Office of Strategy and Evidence – Innocenti
- Opportunity to contribute to improved data on children in alternative care
Who Should Apply for the UNICEF ICare Consultant Position?
The UNICEF ICare Consultant position is particularly suitable for experienced professionals who have worked in areas such as:
- Child protection
- Children’s rights
- Social work
- Public health
- Psychology
- Alternative care
- Care reform
- Social protection
- International development research
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Data and analytics
- Social service systems
- Workshop facilitation
Candidates should carefully compare their qualifications against UNICEF’s minimum requirements before applying.
Final Thoughts
The UNICEF ICare Consultant 2026 is a specialized international consultancy for experienced professionals working in child protection, children’s rights, alternative care, international research and social service systems.
With a 3-month remote working arrangement and an assignment connected to the implementation of the International Classification of Alternative Care of Children (ICare), this opportunity may be particularly relevant to senior professionals with extensive international research and workshop facilitation experience.
If you meet the Master’s degree requirement, 10 years of relevant international research experience and the required child protection expertise, review the Terms of Reference carefully and submit your application before the 7 September 2026 deadline.
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