UNICEF Remote Consultancy Jobs 2026 | Roster of Foresight Support Services Consultants

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About the Opportunity

UNICEF’s Office of Strategy and Evidence (OSE) – Innocenti is establishing a Roster of Foresight Support Services Consultants to provide on-demand expertise for strategic foresight initiatives across UNICEF headquarters, regional offices, and country offices.

Job Title: Roster of Foresight Support Services Consultants
Organization: UNICEF – Office of Strategy and Evidence (Innocenti)
Location: Florence, Italy (Remote/Work from Home)
Job Type: Consultancy (Roster)
Category: Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026

This roster will consist of highly qualified consultants who can deliver short- and medium-term technical support in strategic foresight, futures thinking, horizon scanning, scenario planning, and organizational learning.

Successful applicants may be called upon for consultancy assignments as opportunities arise.

Roster Streams

Applicants may apply for one or more of the following specialist areas:

1. Strategic Foresight Methodology and Analysis

Support strategic foresight initiatives by conducting:

Horizon scanning
Trend analysis
Scenario planning
Emerging issues analysis
Futures thinking
Strategic policy analysis

2. Facilitation and Participation

Provide expertise in:

Facilitating foresight workshops
Multi-stakeholder engagement
Strategic conversations
Participatory foresight processes
Virtual, hybrid, and in-person facilitation

3. Quantitative Modelling

Support foresight initiatives through:

Data analysis
Quantitative modelling
Digital foresight tools
Predictive modelling
Systems analysis

4. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

Assist UNICEF by:

Developing learning resources
Building institutional foresight capacity
Supporting organizational learning
Strengthening knowledge management systems
Promoting futures thinking across programmes

Key Responsibilities

Depending on assignment, consultants may:

Provide technical advice on strategic foresight methodologies.
Design and facilitate foresight exercises and workshops.
Conduct horizon scanning and trend analysis.
Develop future scenarios and strategic planning tools.
Support governments and development partners with long-term planning.
Integrate foresight into policy development and programme design.
Facilitate stakeholder consultations involving diverse participants.
Produce analytical reports and strategic recommendations.
Build organizational capacity for futures thinking and foresight.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Futures Studies, Public Policy, International Development, Strategic Planning, Political Science, Economics, Social Sciences, Innovation, Systems Thinking, or a related discipline.
Specialized training or certification in strategic foresight, futures studies, horizon scanning, or scenario planning is considered an advantage.

Experience Required

Candidates should have:

At least 8–10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic foresight, futures thinking, organizational strategy, innovation, systems transformation, public policy, or related fields.
Experience advising governments, international organizations, research institutions, development agencies, or the private sector.
Experience integrating foresight into policy, programme design, organizational strategy, or risk management.
Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops and strategic planning sessions.
Strong experience working in complex, rapidly changing, or fragile environments.

Required Skills

Successful consultants should demonstrate:

Expertise in strategic foresight methodologies.
Knowledge of horizon scanning, trend analysis, Delphi methods, systems mapping, futures wheels, backcasting, and scenario planning.
Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
Strong presentation and communication abilities.
Ability to explain complex concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
Excellent facilitation skills in virtual, hybrid, and face-to-face settings.
Ability to engage senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.

Desirable Experience

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in:

Climate change and sustainable development.
Demographic and technological trends.
Migration and geopolitical analysis.
Participatory approaches involving children and young people.
Capacity development and institutional strengthening.
Quantitative analysis and modelling.

Knowledge of additional UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) is considered an asset.

Why Join UNICEF?

This consultancy roster offers professionals the opportunity to:

Support UNICEF’s global strategic planning and innovation agenda.
Work remotely from home on international assignments.
Collaborate with leading experts in foresight and policy development.
Contribute to evidence-based decision-making affecting children worldwide.
Build long-term consulting opportunities within the United Nations system.

Important Information

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Early applications are strongly encouraged.
Consultants are engaged under individual consultancy contracts and are not considered UNICEF staff members.
Remote consultants who do not travel or visit UNICEF premises are exempt from COVID-19 vaccination requirements applicable to in-person assignments.
UNICEF provides reasonable accommodations for consultants with disabilities where required.