UNICEF is seeking an experienced social protection specialist for a five-month home-based consultancy supporting grievance redress mechanisms in Zambia. Applicants need a relevant master’s degree and at least seven years of experience. Apply by 3 November 2026.
Background & Job Description
UNICEF is inviting applications for a five-month Social Protection Consultancy focused on assessing grievance redress mechanisms and developing a harmonisation blueprint in Zambia.
The consultancy is based under UNICEF’s Social Policy Section, with Lusaka listed as the duty station and a home-based working arrangement.
The successful consultant will support Zambia’s Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in reviewing accountability systems and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) across social protection programmes.
The assignment will involve mapping existing systems, identifying strengths and gaps, and exploring opportunities to harmonise grievance handling across programmes and institutions. The consultant will also draw on existing evidence and lessons from the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods (GEWEL II) Programme to assess approaches that could be adopted more widely.
Applications close on 3 November 2026.
Consultancy Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UNICEF |
| Consultancy | Assessment of Social Protection Grievance Redress Mechanisms and Development of Harmonisation Blueprint |
| Job number | 596612 |
| Functional area | Social Policy |
| Duty station | Lusaka, Zambia |
| Working arrangement | Home-based |
| Contract duration | 5 months |
| Contract type | Consultant |
| Minimum experience | 7 years of relevant professional experience |
| Required education | Relevant master’s degree |
| Language | English |
| Remuneration | Not specified in the supplied vacancy |
| Application deadline | 3 November 2026 |
| Official application | Apply through UNICEF Careers |
Tasks and Consultancy Responsibilities
The consultant will undertake a targeted assessment of grievance redress and accountability arrangements across Zambia’s social protection sector.
Key responsibilities include mapping current institutional and operational arrangements, examining how grievance mechanisms function across different programmes, and identifying gaps that affect consistency and effectiveness.
The assignment will also involve reviewing existing evidence, including lessons from the GEWEL II Programme’s harmonised grievance redress approach. The findings will inform recommendations for improving coordination and developing a blueprint for wider institutional harmonisation.
The work is intended to strengthen accountability, improve the handling of complaints and feedback, and support more consistent social protection service delivery.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Education
Applicants must have a master’s degree in one of the following fields or a related discipline:
- Social Policy
- Public Policy
- Development Studies
- Social Development
- Economics
- Public Administration
Additional certification in social behaviour change communication would be an advantage.
Work Experience
Candidates must have at least seven years of relevant professional experience in areas such as policy review, social protection, and the development of operational manuals, guidelines or institutional frameworks.
Applicants must also demonstrate experience in designing, evaluating or managing accountability systems and Grievance Redress Mechanisms, including complaints, feedback and response mechanisms.
Experience working with government institutions and stakeholders, particularly through consultation and collaborative development processes, is required.
Knowledge and Skills
Candidates should demonstrate strong knowledge of social protection delivery systems and an understanding of how beneficiaries and communities access feedback and complaints channels.
Familiarity with Zambia’s policy and institutional environment, especially grievance redress mechanisms within national social protection programmes, is important.
Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and validation processes is also required. Applicants must have excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills, supported by samples of previous written work in English.
Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably Zambia or similar contexts, is desirable.
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted through UNICEF’s online recruitment portal. Candidates are required to provide the following documents:
- An up-to-date UNICEF Talent Management System profile and curriculum vitae.
- A cover letter.
- A separate financial proposal using the specific template provided in the vacancy.
Applicants should ensure that the financial proposal follows the prescribed template. The supplied advertisement does not state a consultancy fee or total contract value.
Application deadline: 3 November 2026.
How to apply: Visit the official UNICEF application portal, review the vacancy requirements and submit all requested documents before the deadline. The complete terms of reference and financial proposal template are linked in the official advertisement.
UNICEF states that it does not charge application or recruitment fees at any stage of its hiring process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the UNICEF Social Protection Consultancy about?
The assignment involves assessing grievance redress and accountability mechanisms across Zambia’s social protection sector and developing a blueprint for harmonising these systems.
2. How long does the consultancy last?
The contract duration is five months.
3. Is this a home-based opportunity?
Yes. The vacancy specifies a home-based working arrangement, with Lusaka, Zambia, listed as the duty station.
4. What qualifications are required?
Applicants must hold a relevant master’s degree in social policy, public policy, development studies, social development, economics, public administration or a related field.
5. How much professional experience is required?
Candidates must have at least seven years of relevant professional experience, including experience with social protection, policy review and grievance redress or complaints and feedback mechanisms.
6. Is experience in Zambia required?
Familiarity with Zambia’s policy and institutional environment is an important requirement. Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably Zambia or similar contexts, is listed as desirable.
7. What documents must applicants submit?
Applicants must provide an up-to-date UNICEF Talent Management System profile and CV, a cover letter, and a separate financial proposal prepared using the required template.
8. What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 3 November 2026, according to the vacancy advertisement.
9. Is the consultancy salary disclosed?
The supplied vacancy does not state a consultancy fee or total remuneration amount. Applicants should consult the terms of reference and financial proposal instructions for further details.
10. How can I apply?
Submit your application through the official UNICEF recruitment portal.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This consultancy may suit experienced social protection specialists, policy researchers and governance professionals with expertise in grievance redress mechanisms and government collaboration. The seven-year experience requirement and emphasis on Zambia’s institutional context mean that applicants should carefully assess their relevant experience before applying.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares employment and consultancy opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with UNICEF and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should verify the requirements, terms of reference and application instructions through the official UNICEF website.
SEO Keywords: UNICEF consultancy 2026, UNICEF home-based consultancy, social protection consultancy Zambia, UNICEF jobs Zambia, grievance redress mechanisms consultant, social policy consultancy, home-based consultant jobs, UNICEF consultant vacancies, social protection jobs Africa, policy research consultancy, accountability mechanisms consultant, UNICEF application deadline November 2026
