UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save childrenโs lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job โ it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
Please click the link for further information about UNICEF Viet Nam: https://www.unicef.org/vietnam/
For every child, an opportunity...
How can you make a difference?ย
Purpose of Activity/Assignment: To update the trend of multidimensional child poverty in Viet Nam 2020 to 2024 and analyze the factors associated with child poverty for formulating policy recommendations on sustainable poverty reduction.
Background:
Viet Nam has made significant progress in economic growth and poverty reduction over the past two decades. However, multidimensional child poverty (MDCP) remains a persistent challenge, especially amid rising inequality, climate change and rapid urbanization. Children are among the most vulnerable groups, and poverty for them is not merely a lack of income, it encompasses deprivations in essential dimensions such as education, health, nutrition, housing, sanitation, clean water, and recreation.
The 2022 MDCP Report, jointly conducted by UNICEF and the National Statistics Office (NSO), shows that the national MDCP rate declined from 21.2% in 2014 to 10.7% in 2020. However, disparities remain stark: ethnic minority children (33.1%) vs. Kinh/Hoa (6.3%), rural children (13%) vs. urban children (6%), and children in the Central Highlands and Northern Mountains face the highest MDCP rates. Moreover, 74% of multidimensionally poor children were not classified as poor by local authorities, limiting their access to social protection and services.
With NSO currently releasing new data of Viet Nam Household Living Standard Survey 2024 and updating MDCP rate, there is a need for a full-fledged analysis that provides deeper disaggregation (e.g., by province, by number of deprivations, etc.) and factors associated with child poverty to inform more targeted and effective policy responses.
Specific objectives:
- Analyze the MDCP trend over the period 2020-2024.
- Estimate MDCP rates with full disaggregation.
- Identify and analyze factors associated with MDCP.
- Develop policy recommendations based on evidence to sustainably reduce child poverty.
Research questions:
1. What is the MDCP rate of 2024 of Viet Nam and of each province (for 63 provinces and newly merged 34 provinces) and MDCP trend over the period of 2020-2024 at national level?
2. What are factors associated with MDCP in Viet Nam?
3. What are policy recommendations to reduce sustainably child poverty in Viet Nam?
Scope of work:
The consultant will:
- Review and analyze secondary data from the VHLSS 2020, 2022 and 2024 using UNDP-WB-UNICEF approach to MDCP calculation and analysis.
- Analyze the patterns of child poverty in each domain and aggregation.
- Analyze MDCP at provincial level: 63 provinces and newly merged 34 provinces.
- Conduct a deeper analysis of factors associated with child poverty in Viet Nam.
- Develop policy recommendations to reduce child poverty sustainably.
- Develop a full report and a summary report (both in English and Vietnamese) on key findings and policy recommendations.
Methodology/approach:
The study will employ a quantitative, secondary data analysis approach using the datasets of VHLSS 2020, 2022 and 2024.ย MDCP calculation is based on the approach used in the metadata of SDG indicator 1.2 on multidimensional child poverty, which are adopted by the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF. More specifically, this methodological approach is underpinned by the concept of constitutive rights of poverty developed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), i.e., constitutive rights of poverty are those that crucially require a personโs command over material and physical resources for their realization.
Ethical Considerations:
As this is a secondary data analysis, no direct interaction with human subjects is required. However, the consultant will ensure:
1. Confidentiality of individual and household data
2. Responsible use of sensitive ethnic identifiers
3. Compliance with national data protection regulations.
Collaboration with NSO:
The consultant will collaborate with NSO for consistency in data use. The consultant is responsible for seeking assistance, if needed, for data processing.
Supervision and Management:
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNICEFโs Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and Social Policy and Governance Specialist under the overall management of UNICEFโs Chiefs of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Social Policy and Governance sections. He/she will ensure a participatory process that incorporates technical perspectives and guidance from the National Statistics Office.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:ย ย TOR_MDCP.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will haveโฆย
Minimum requirements:
Education:ย
- Advanced university degree in development economics, social policy, social sciences or related areas of majors.
Work Experience:ย
โข At least 10 years of professional experience in research, especially quantitative study. Have an in-depth understanding of econometrics, applications and statistical models.
โข Having at least 10 years of experience in research and analytical and report writing on children, multi-dimensional child poverty, social issues, socio-economic/sustainable development or related fields.
โข Experience in developing reports analyzing children's well-being, especially multidimensional child poverty.
โข Experience and skills in policy analysis reports; issues of poverty, sustainable development and sustainable development indicators related to children.
โข Good understanding of Vietnam's political, legal and policy framework related to poverty and sustainable development.
โข Excellent English and Vietnamese academic writing.
โข Experience working with UNICEF and UN agencies is an advantage.
Evaluation Criteria:
Technical Evaluation (70 points):
- Advanced university degree in development economics, social policy, social sciences or related areas of majors: 10 points
- At least 10 years of professional experience in research, especially quantitative study. Have an in-depth understanding of econometrics, applications and statistical models: 15 points
- Experience in developing reports analyzing children's well-being, especially multidimensional child poverty, 15 points.
- Experience and skills in policy analysis reports; issues of poverty, sustainable development and sustainable development indicators related to children: 15 points
- Good understanding of Vietnam's political, legal and policy framework related to poverty and sustainable development: 5 points.
- Excellent English and Vietnamese academic writing: 10 points
- Experience working with UNICEF and UN agencies is an advantage (bonus).
Financial evaluation (30 points):
The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened/evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.
The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview if needed.
Submission of applications:
a. Updated CV/Resume;
b.ย 03 references including at least one from a past supervisor;
c. Technical proposal which clearly explains how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (preferably less than 5 pages).
d. Samples of similar products.
e.ย Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost in Vietnamese Dong including consultancy fee and any other relevant costs for this assignment. ย
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEFโs 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
The UNICEF competencies required for this post areโฆ
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with othersย
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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.ย 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 aย wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks andย reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation 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.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:ย ย
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for consultancy with UNICEF are requiredย to submit the releasing letter from their manager before taking up an assignment. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.ย
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 applicantsโ bank account information.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEFโs Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.