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Comparative assessment: cost-effectiveness, accessibility, inclusion, reliability & accountability of Social Cash Transfer/SCT electronic & manual in Zambia, Lusaka 4 months, remote+travel #595388

Lusaka, ZambiaConsultantUNICEF
Closing in 6 daysPosted Aug 26, 2026

How can you make a difference?

The consultancy shall apply a multidimensional assessment covering cost-effectiveness, accessibility, financial inclusion, reliability, accountability, beneficiary experience and programme quality, while also quantifying current unit costs and estimating how performance may vary under the different payment modalities.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToR Cons Comparative Assessment SCT.pdf

Education

• A Master’s degree Social Policy, Development Studies, Statistics, Research Methods, Public Policy or a related field.

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible research experience in social protection, cash transfer programming, public finance, economic analysis, development research or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience designing and conducting costing, cost-effectiveness, operational efficiency or value-for-money studies in social policy, public finance or social protection related assignments

• Experience working with government institutions and/or social protection stakeholders in Zambia or similar contexts is strongly desirable

• Demonstrated experience producing high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs and presentations for government, UNICEF or development partner audiences.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills

• Knowledge of cash transfer delivery systems, payment service provider models, mobile money or financial inclusion is required

• Demonstrated experience with mixed-methods research, including quantitative data analysis and qualitative interviews/focus group discussions and application to social protection delivery

• Demonstrated experience with institutional and political economy analysis of SCT payment modalities

• Familiar with and has direct and repeated engagement with Zambia's SCT Programme and its delivery architecture

• Ability to translate research evidence into usable policy advice

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s 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
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. 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 reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. 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.
  • An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal template Assessment SCT TO COMPLETE.xlsx
A detailed technical proposal (max 15 pages)

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers. https://jobs.unicef.org/cw/en-us/filter/?search-keyword=&work-type=consultant

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 applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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