Research and Policy Analyst, Colombo

General

Description of assignment title

Research and Policy Analyst

Assignment country

Sri Lanka

Duty stations

Colombo

Work location

Remote

Expected start date

11/23/2026

Duration

3 months

Sustainable Development Goal

4. Quality education

Host entity

UNICEF

Modality

Onsite

Type

National

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. UNICEF mobilizes political will and material resources to help countries, particularly developing countries, ensure a "first call for children" and to build their capacity to form appropriate policies and deliver services for children and their families. UNICEF is committed to ensuring special protection for the most disadvantaged children – victims of war, disasters, extreme poverty, all forms of violence and exploitation, and those with disabilities. UNICEF responds in emergencies to protect the rights of children. In coordination with United Nations partners and humanitarian agencies, UNICEF makes its unique facilities for rapid response available to its partners to relieve the suffering of children and those who provide their care. UNICEF is non-partisan and its cooperation is free of discrimination. In everything it does, the most disadvantaged children and the countries in greatest need have priority. UNICEF aims, through its country programmes, to promote the equal rights of women and girls and to support their full participation in the political, social and economic development of their communities. UNICEF works with all its partners towards the attainment of the sustainable human development goals adopted by the world community and the realization of the vision of peace and social progress enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

Context

This UN Volunteer assignment is seconded by UNICEF to the Sustainable Development Council (SDC) as part of the United Nations Country Team's (UNCT) coordinated support to the Government of Sri Lanka in the Voluntary National Review (VNR) process. The assignment contributes to strengthening national coordination, stakeholder engagement, data collection and analysis, and reporting efforts to facilitate an inclusive and evidence-based assessment of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As the UN host entity for this assignment, UNICEF will provide institutional oversight and support in accordance with the applicable UNV arrangements, while working closely with the SDC to facilitate the UN Volunteer’s contribution to the nationally led VNR process. This collaboration reflects UNICEF’s commitment to supporting evidence-based and inclusive monitoring of progress towards the SDGs, with particular attention to children, adolescents, equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. The assignment will also contribute to the broader coordinated support provided by the United Nations Country Team to Sri Lanka’s VNR process.

The Sustainable Development Council, established under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Development Act No. 19 of 2017, is the Government’s lead institution responsible for coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Sri Lanka.

The UN Volunteer will undertake technical research, analytical and writing tasks for the preparation of the Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report of Sri Lanka. The assignment will primarily focus on synthesizing and triangulating findings from VNR workshops, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations, secondary data, research studies and relevant policy documents to develop evidence-based content for the VNR Report, under the supervision of the SDC of Sri Lanka.

Task description

Under the overall guidance of UNICEF, to which the UN Volunteer is assigned and seconded to the SDC, and the direct supervision of the Director General (Acting)/CEO of the SDC, the VNR Research and Policy Analyst will undertake the following tasks:

• Lead the technical drafting and development of sections of the VNR Report.
• Triangulate and synthesize findings emerging from VNR workshops, focus group discussions, stakeholder consultations and other participatory processes.
• Undertake other research and analytical assignments related to the preparation of the VNR Report as required.
• Analyse and integrate relevant secondary data, research findings, policy analysis, reports and other evidence into the VNR.
• Ensure that qualitative findings from consultations are appropriately linked with quantitative data and policy evidence.
• Identify key trends, achievements, challenges, gaps, emerging issues and good practices relevant to the VNR.
• Support the development of analytical narratives under the identified VNR themes and SDGs.
• Ensure consistency, coherence and alignment of the VNR content with the 2030 Agenda, SDGs and relevant national policies and frameworks.
• Preparation of analytical summaries, key messages, findings and recommendations emerging from the VNR process in consultation with the SDC.
• Close coordination with SDC senior management in delivering above tasks.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

There are no nationality requirements for remote assignments. Successful candidates will need to provide proof of citizenship, residency and/or right to work in their remote work location. In the case of refugees, candidates need to provide proof of their protected status in the country. Proof of address will also be required.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

6 years

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Sinhalese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
• Tamil, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master's degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences, Public Policy Analysis, Development Economics, Sustainable Development and any other relevant subject areas

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Research, analytical and IT skills
• Integrity
• Technical writing skills

Skills and experience

• Experience in policy analysis, data synthesis, stakeholder consultations and preparation of development reports;
• Strong research, analytical and technical report-writing skills
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with diverse partners.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Previous experience working in SDG-related work
• Prior experience in VNR preparation will be an added advantage.

Area(s) of expertise

Community development, Economics, poverty reduction, livelihoods, Knowledge management, research, reporting

Driving license

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of India. It’s home to an estimated population of over 21 million people. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi- religious country. It is a tropical country with moderate temperate and high humidity all throughout the year. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 32 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfalls occur. Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international airlines. Sri Lanka currently has stable and safe living environment. Cost of living is relatively high with increased food and accommodation costs. The UN Volunteer will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Colombo is the administrative centre and offers a range of accommodation, transportation, medical, banking and other services. Sri Lanka is classified as a Family Duty Station. The security level in Colombo is UNDSS Level 1 (Low).

You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.”

All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Reasonable accommodation

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

In addition to duty station-specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

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.

UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.