[Hiring] Consultant for Estimation of Economic Cost of Learning Crisis @AGORA

Role Description

UNICEF is developing a global framework to estimate the economic cost of the learning crisis, including learning denial, deprivation, and disruption affecting millions of children worldwide. The framework will quantify the impact on economic growth, productivity, public finances, and human capital to strengthen the case for education investment.

The consultant will support the development, testing, validation, and documentation of this country-level analytical model, including data analysis and cost estimation. Country results will be aggregated to produce regional and global estimates of the learning crisis’s economic impact.

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. The assignment will include:

• Methodological development
• Data compilation and analysis
• Model construction and testing
• Estimation of country, regional, and global costs
• Validation of the analytical framework and findings

Countries will constitute the primary unit of analysis. Regional and global estimates will be generated through aggregation of country-level results using the agreed methodology.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) in: Economics, Education Economics, Development Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, Quantitative Social Sciences, Related disciplines
• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in quantitative economic analysis, education economics, public finance, human capital analysis, or related fields
• Demonstrated experience developing economic simulation models, cost-benefit analyses, or macroeconomic analytical frameworks
• Experience working with international datasets and cross-country comparative analysis
• Experience conducting policy-oriented analytical work and producing technical reports or knowledge products
• Previous experience working with international organizations or development partners is desirable

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of education economics, human capital, education financing, and quantitative analytical methods
• Demonstrated expertise in economic modelling, statistical analysis, and sensitivity analysis
• Proficiency in Excel and at least one statistical software package (R, Stata, Python, or equivalent)
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate technical findings into policy-relevant messages
• Fluency in English language

Benefits

• Diverse opportunities for professional and personal development
• Attractive compensation and benefits package