Qualitative Researcher

International Business & Technical Consultants, Inc. (IBTCI), a U.S.-based international development consulting company established in 1987, has worked in over 100 countries and implemented over 300 projects. IBTCI serves government agencies, private sector companies, and several donor agencies. IBTCI specializes in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and institutional support across many areas and sectors including, but not limited to, conflict and crisis, democracy and governance, agriculture, economic growth, food security, education, environment, and global health.

Job title: Qualitative Researcher
Department/Location: MERL / Remote or West & Central Africa (WCA) region
Reports To: Evaluation Team Lead or Project Director
Type: Consultant (Short-Term Technical Assistance)
Classification: N/A (Consultant)
Clearance Required: None

Overview:

IBTCI is seeking a Qualitative Researcher / Thematic Specialist to lead the design and implementation of qualitative data collection and analysis in UNICEF evaluations. This consultant will use participatory, ethical, and inclusive methods to generate context-rich insights across child-focused sectors such as health, education, protection, and WASH.

Essential Duties/Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Develop qualitative research plans, data collection guides, and ethical protocols.
• Train and supervise field teams conducting KIIs, FGDs, and participatory methods.
• Conduct remote or in-person data collection, including translation and transcription oversight.
• Analyze qualitative data using tools such as NVivo, Atlas.ti, or thematic matrices.
• Contribute to mixed-methods triangulation and findings synthesis.
• Draft narrative analysis for reports, ensuring child- and gender-sensitive language.
• Ensure all qualitative activities align with UNICEF standards, including ethical and safeguarding considerations.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in sociology, anthropology, international development, or related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in qualitative research, including in evaluation contexts.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with vulnerable populations and marginalized groups.
• Experience with qualitative software (NVivo, Atlas.ti, or similar).

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience in UNICEF programming sectors (e.g., WASH, CP, education).
• Familiarity with human-centered or participatory evaluation approaches.
• Fluency in English; French or Portuguese proficiency is an asset.

Working Environment:

Remote with international travel up to 25%, including to field and hard-to-reach locations.

Work Authorization:

Must be authorized to work in the consultant’s country of residence. IBTCI does not sponsor visas for consultants.

About the Organization:

IBTCI has been in business since 1987. We specialize in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL), Institutional Support (IS), Financial & Risk Management (FRM), Supply Chain Management & Procurement (SCMP), Social & Behavior Change (SBC), and Capacity Building. We provide services across sectors such as nutrition, protection, local capacity building, agriculture, food security, conflict, governance, education, global health, environment, and humanitarian assistance. Our culture fosters collaboration, innovation, and the professional growth of our staff and consultants.