Estimation of the Economic Cost of the Learning Crisis Consultant, GPD-Education, COE Nairobi, 5 months, Remote, International

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children’s lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF fosters diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF in developing, operationalizing, validating, and documenting a country-based analytical framework for estimating the economic cost of the learning crisis. This involves methodological development, data compilation and analysis, model construction and testing, and the estimation of country, regional, and global costs. The assignment will focus on quantifying the impact of learning denial, deprivation, and disruption on economic growth, productivity, public finances, and human capital to strengthen the case for increased education investment. Country-level results will serve as the primary unit of analysis, with regional and global estimates generated through aggregation, ultimately contributing to a global framework for understanding and addressing the economic consequences of educational challenges affecting millions of children worldwide.

Responsibilities

The consultant will play a crucial role in the development, testing, validation, and documentation of a country-level analytical model designed to estimate the economic cost of the learning crisis. This will involve conducting detailed data analysis and cost estimations. Key responsibilities include supporting the methodological development of the framework, compiling and analyzing relevant data, constructing and testing the economic model, and estimating costs at the country, regional, and global levels. The consultant will be responsible for validating the analytical framework and its findings, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the generated estimates. The work will primarily focus on country-level analysis, with subsequent aggregation to produce broader regional and global figures. The consultant is also expected to produce technical reports and knowledge products that translate complex technical findings into policy-relevant messages for stakeholders. This includes clearly communicating the economic impact of learning crises to advocate for greater investment in education.

Work Experience

Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in quantitative economic analysis, education economics, public finance, human capital analysis, or related fields. Demonstrated experience in developing economic simulation models, cost-benefit analyses, or macroeconomic analytical frameworks is required. Experience with international datasets and cross-country comparative analysis is also necessary.

Skills

Economic modeling, Statistical analysis, Sensitivity analysis, Education economics, Human capital analysis, Education financing, Quantitative analytical methods, Proficiency in Excel, Proficiency in R, Stata, or Python, Analytical skills, Writing skills, Communication skills

Explore related opportunities