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.
The Gender and Adolescent Development Section, UNICEF East Asia Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO) is seeking an individual research consultant to map initiatives, innovations and opportunities to support transitions into STEM careers for adolescent girls in ASEAN. The Consultant is requested to design all aspects related to the study, including designing methodology, tools, collaborating with an adolescent-friendly peer review group, writing the report and coordinating a virtual report launch with partners. Specific deliverables are detailed further below.
By developing a deeper understanding of existing models for career guidance and pathways to STEM in ASEAN and by leveraging existing ASEAN and global partnerships, the research will help UNICEF shape country and regional programming through:
Providing regional programmatic guidance on approaches to advancing adolescent girls STEM career aspirations, drawing on successful models either in the region or led by UNICEF in other geographies.
The research responds to regional recommendations from UNLIMITED ASEAN and the Gendered Barriers to Leadership report
The research would be showcased at a joint virtual event developed with adolescent girls and with regional partners. The launch would bring together ASEAN business leaders and girl-focused organizations that would be in the position to take action on the recommendations.
Work Assignments:
The Consultant is requested to design all aspects related to the research into adolescent girls and STEM careers, including developing an inception report, conducing desk review, designing methodology and research tools, collaborating with an adolescent-friendly peer review group, writing the report and coordinating a virtual report launch with partners.
The research aims to respond to 3 questions:
What programmes, activities or approaches have proven effective to support adolescent girls to transition to STEM careers in different contexts across ASEAN?
Who are the stakeholders that should be engaged to positively influence adolescent girls’ STEM career ambitions?
How might governments, UNICEF and partners do things differently to support adolescent girls to pursue STEM fields?
The Consultant’s Inception Report should detail the proposed methodology. UNICEF will review the Inception Report and provide feedback into the methodology in the first phase of the consultancy.
The methodology should include:
Desk research into programmes that have been successful in supporting girls to transition into STEM careers (focusing on career-support, such as mentoring, apprenticeships, and other activities). The desk research should include both local initiatives led in ASEAN countries, and major global initiatives that can provide lessons learned.
At least 20 stakeholder interviews representing diverse voices, such as education sector stakeholders, parents or parent support groups, selected organizations leading STEM-career path solutions for girls in the region and girl-led organizations. The list of interviewees should be developed in consultation with UNICEF.
Incorporating the data from the World Association of Girl Guides for Southeast Asia to reflect the needs and recommendations of adolescent girls themselves.
Development of 1 survey poll to be administered by UNICEF’s U-Report platform to seek out additional input from adolescent girls across the region.
At least 10 stakeholder interviews with selected private sector partners to understand their interest and capacity to engage in this area. Partners fitting the profile will be determined with UNICEF and interviews should target CSR, Social Impact, HR, or Partnership Managers to understand appetite for private sector to engage on this issue.
3 consultation-style virtual workshops with adolescent girls and young women to validate report findings and contribute to recommendations. UNICEF to support in identifying the participants.
Coordinate input and feedback from a peer review group, including adolescent girls and young women leaders from the region.
The interviews can be conducted virtually and there is no travel anticipated.
In addition to conducting the consultations and interviews and writing the report, the Consultant is requested to develop copy for a 2-page brochure or infographic to highlight the findings that is easy to read and youth-friendly. This brochure will then be shared by UNICEF and partners on social media and will complement the longer report.
Finally, the Consultant is expected to develop with the peer review group and partners a virtual launch event to disseminate the findings, ideally with meaningful participation of adolescent girls themselves and various private sector partners. The Consultant can leverage UNICEF, WAGGS and EU-ASEAN Business Councils related networks for this aspect of the assignment, and the event will be co-hosted by the partners.
Work Schedule and Deliverables:
The Consultant is required to report on progress bi-weekly through brief conference calls with UNICEF counterparts and collaborate closely with a diverse peer review group, including adolescent girls. In lieu of conference calls, written progress reports are acceptable should both parties agree.
The Consultant is required to prepare an Inception Report, Summary of Findings, Draft Report, Final Report, editorial copy for a 2-page brochure/summary and PowerPoint or similar presentation of results for the virtual launch. All documents to be prepared in Word format or similar, electronically, and in English.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Education:
Advanced degree in the social sciences (sociology, anthropology, development studies), Economics/Statistics or related fields relevant for the assignment. In lieu of an advanced degree, Bachelors degree and 10 years experience can be accepted.
Skills and Experience:
5 years relevant work experience in international development, research or other relevant fields.
At least 3 years’ experience leading structured, analytical research in international development sector in a thematic area related to the work.
Experience designing research methodologies and tools for qualitative research.
Proven experience of high-quality report writing and documentation.
Diverse experience leading stakeholder interviews across a range of sectors (government, business, youth groups, education sector).
Previous experience leading research for UN, international development organizations or non-profit organizations.
Resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to prioritise large amounts of work while under pressure.
Good analytical, facilitation, communication and presentation skills.
Politically and culturally sensitive, awareness of gender issues, with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
