What's Happening?
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has initiated an application process for a Consultancy – Roster of Foresight Support Services Consultants. This opportunity, managed by the UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence (OSE) in Florence, Italy, targets
experienced professionals in strategic foresight, futures thinking, scenario planning, quantitative modeling, facilitation, knowledge management, and organizational capacity building. The roster aims to establish a pool of pre-qualified experts who can provide short- to medium-term technical support to UNICEF headquarters, regional offices, country offices, and other teams on foresight-related initiatives. The role is listed as remote/work from home, making it accessible to a global talent pool. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, with a stated deadline of September 30, 2026. This initiative is a response to UNICEF's ongoing need for specialized support in understanding and preparing for future challenges impacting children and societies worldwide.
Why It's Important?
This consultancy roster is crucial for UNICEF's long-term strategic planning and its ability to proactively address global challenges affecting children. By leveraging strategic foresight, UNICEF can better explore potential future scenarios, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and make more informed decisions in its policy development, program design, organizational strategy, and risk management. The ability to integrate foresight findings into these critical areas will enhance UNICEF's effectiveness in its mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential across more than 190 countries and territories. The remote nature of the consultancy also allows UNICEF to tap into a diverse range of expertise globally, ensuring a comprehensive approach to future planning. This proactive stance is vital in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, where issues like climate change, technological transformation, and geopolitical developments significantly impact child welfare.
What's Next?
UNICEF will continue to accept applications for the Foresight Support Services Consultants roster on a rolling basis until the September 30, 2026 deadline. Qualified professionals will be assessed for their expertise in areas such as strategic foresight, facilitation and participation, quantitative modeling, and knowledge management and capacity building. Once selected, consultants may be engaged to support various activities, including horizon scanning, trend analysis, scenario development, and systems mapping. Their work will involve translating complex foresight findings into practical recommendations for decision-makers and collaborating with governments, international organizations, research institutions, and other stakeholders. This ongoing process will enable UNICEF to build a robust network of experts ready to contribute to its strategic initiatives as future challenges emerge.
Beyond the Headlines
The establishment of this foresight consultancy roster signifies a deeper organizational commitment by UNICEF to anticipatory governance and long-term strategic resilience. Beyond immediate project support, this initiative aims to embed a 'futures thinking' mindset within UNICEF's operational framework. This approach acknowledges that traditional reactive strategies are often insufficient in addressing complex, interconnected global issues. By systematically exploring potential futures, UNICEF can not only mitigate risks but also identify novel opportunities for intervention and innovation in child protection and development. This shift towards proactive planning could set a precedent for other international organizations, fostering a broader adoption of foresight methodologies in humanitarian and development sectors. The emphasis on integrating foresight into policy and program design also highlights a recognition of the need for adaptive and flexible strategies to ensure sustained impact in a volatile global landscape.
