🇳🇬 Job Vacancies @ United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) – 3 Positions

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) International Education Consultant (Research and Evidence Generation in Nigeria)
2.) Consultant for Technical Guidance on Integrating Child Sensitive Approaches in the NDC 3.0
3.) Consultant (Program, Nigeria / Education Outcomes Fund / Hosted Fund

Job Title: International Education Consultant (Research and Evidence Generation in Nigeria)

Job no: 580786
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Abuja
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Education
Duration: 200 Working Days

Background

• Nigeria is home to approximately 206 million people, 43 per cent of whom are below 14 years of age. By 2030, there will be close to 126 million children in Nigeria. The growing child population places significant pressure on the provision of schooling and the delivery of education services.
• Despite the progress made in the past years, 10.2 million children at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary levels remain out of school. Lack of access to safe, quality, inclusive education impacts learning of children.
• Approximately 50 per cent of students in school cannot read or write, while only one in four children in Nigeria demonstrate foundational literacy and numeracy skills.
• The Federal Ministry of Education has recently launched the Nigeria Education Sector Renew Initiative (NESRI).
• The six key priority areas are: promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM), education, Reducing the Number of Out-of-School Children, Enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), advancing Girl-Child Education, Harnessing Data and Digitalization and Strengthening Quality Assurance Mechanisms.
• UNICEF’s education programme is centered around providing technical expertise in education to the Federal and State Ministries of Education, as well as key education commissions including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in support of NESRI and across three the pillars of access, learning and system strengthening.

How can you make a difference?
The international consultant will undertake the following research and evidence generation assignments:

• Work closely with UBEC, development partners and UNICEF to undertake a detailed mapping of FLN activities across Nigeria. This research will inform UBEC on the strategic direction to take with FLN in the next 1-3 years.
• Produce a summary report on the two alternative TVET interventions that UNICEF is currently implementing including recommendations for scale-up. The two alternative interventions are the use of trade schools and the use of Master tradesmen. This report will support the Federal MoE’s TVET strategic plans.
• Complete a mixed method analysis of student absenteeism using student-level attendance data in 4 states (Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara) collected through Learner Unit Record Information Tracking System (LURITS) in the academic year 2023/2024. and produce a summary report for LGA and State Ministries of Education. This includes quantitative analysis to examine the extent of absenteeism at school, LGA and state levels and a qualitative study to identify reasons and factors explaining high/low absenteeism in some of the schools and LGAs. The qualitative data will be collected from students and their families, school personnel and state and local government officers through field visits, which include a minimum of 4 schools per state (a total of 16 schools).
• Undertake a scoping exercise for a small-scale research grant with the Gates foundation and complete the application process.
• Provide technical oversight of a participatory Action Research as part of an FCDO programme entitled Girls Education and Skills Programme by coaching the providers, monitoring the training and quality assuring the final report

Work Assignment/Overview
Tasks/Milestone:

• Work closely with UBEC, development partners and UNICEF to undertake a detailed mapping of FLN activities across Nigeria. This research will inform UBEC on the strategic direction to take with FLN in the next 1-3 years.

Deliverables / Outputs:

• Completed mapping of FLN interventions across Nigeria.

Tasks/Milestone:

• Produce a summary report on the two alternative TVET interventions that UNICEF is currently implementing including recommendations for scale-up. The two alternative interventions are the use of trade schools and the use of Master tradesmen. This report will support the Federal MoE’s TVET strategic plans.

Deliverables / Outputs:

• Summary report completed.

Tasks/Milestone:

• Undertake a scoping exercise for a small-scale research grant with the Gates foundation and complete the application process.

Deliverables / Outputs:

• Scoping report and completed application

Tasks/Milestone:

• Provide technical oversight of a participatory Action Research as part of an FCDO programme entitled Girls Education and Skills Programme by coaching the providers, monitoring the training and quality assuring the final report.

Deliverables / Outputs:

• Quality assurance of report of impact assessment of the PAR intervention with 20 selected participants from GESP

Tasks/Milestone:

• Provide other evidence generation and support as required to the Education team through-out the contract period.

Deliverables / Outputs:

• Submission of timely reports as agreed

Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• An advanced university degree in Education and social sciences
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in Ministries of Education in international settings in a range of programmes.
• Advanced education research skills
• Excellent communication and team working skill
• Willingness to travel regularly to Niger
• Previous work experience with a UN agency desirable
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Application Closing Date
9th April, 2025. (W. Central Africa Standard Time).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title:Consultant for Technical Guidance on Integrating Child Sensitive Approaches in the NDC 3.0

Job no: 580678
Location: Nigeria (Remote)
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Bishkek
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Adolescent Development
Home / Office Based: Remote

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment

• The international consultant will provide technical and advisory guidance to UNICEF and national governments in integrating child-sensitive approaches into the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) in the 5 Central Asian countries (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).

The key objectives of the assignment include

• Develop a roadmap tailored to the country context for enhancing the child sensitivity of the NDC:
  • Identify relevant government bodies and stakeholders involved in the NDC process, determine where the government currently stands in the NDC drafting process, and pinpoint key topics for involvement.
  • Conduct a detailed review and analysis of the current NDCs to identify gaps and opportunities for the integration of child-sensitive interventions across key sectors (education, health, social protection, etc), backed by costed investments.
  • Develop child-sensitivity indicators tailored to the country context to monitor and evaluate the integration of child-sensitive elements in NDCs (UNICEF child-sensitivity framework link)
• Support the 5 COs in defining key asks for child-sensitive NDCs and facilitate stakeholder dialogue to achieve consensus:
  • Promote the data and evidence on the disproportionate impact of climate change on children in the NDC 3.0., using UNICEF’s findings on the impacts of climate change on children and country-specific data where possible (CLAC, CCRI, MICS, IHME, etc.)
  • Support the 5 COs in defining key asks for child-sensitive NDCs and, where possible, develop costed interventions.
  • Promote the inclusion of education, WASH, health, and social protection as targeted climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions, aiming that NDC includes budget lines for these sectors specifically addressing children.
  • Engage key sectoral ministries, including Education, Health, Water, and Social Protection, in a collaborative process to agree on child-related interventions for integration into the NDC, ensuring their alignment and support
  • Represent UNICEF in technical working groups to advocate for child-sensitive interventions in national UNFCCC commitments.
• Support capacity building and understanding of the importance of child-sensitive NDC within and outside UNICEF:
  • Design and deliver training for UNICEF staff across sections in five COs to understand the approach to child-sensitive NDC and its multisectoral importance (Health, Education, SP, WASH, etc.)
  • Design and deliver training workshops for NDC Secretariat staff, UN Resident Coordinator group and other relevant stakeholders on the importance of child-sensitive climate policies and practices.
• Provide support to meaningful child and youth participation in the NDC consultation process:
  • In collaboration with the ADAP teams, in 5 COs, support children and young people sufficient preparation for them to provide relevant input in the NDC Consultations
  • Design and organize training for children and young people to better understand the importance of NDC and how to meaningfully contribute to the consultation process.

Support UNICEF Kyrgyzstan Representative and team in

• Country specific analysis and engagement to develop detailed targets and costing. High-level advocacy to integrate child-sensitive priorities and indicators in NDC 3.0.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have

• Master's or post-graduate degree in Climate Change Diplomacy, International Development, Public Policy or any other related disciplines;
• Minimum of five (5) years’ work experience in the field of climate change and environmental science, social sciences, economics and public policy or another relevant field.
• In-depth understanding of climate change policy frameworks, especially NDCs under the Paris Agreement.
• Ability to integrate child-sensitive approaches into climate policies, ensuring the inclusion of children as key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead consultations with government agencies, NGOs, and youth organizations to gather inputs and build consensus on child-sensitive climate policies.
• Experience in facilitating workshops and working groups with multiple stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Strong experience in designing and delivering training on child-sensitive climate policies for government staff and stakeholders.
• Development of toolkits and guidance documents to implement child-sensitive approaches in climate action.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English (Russian an asset) and ability to facilitate communication with various stakeholders and draft reports and policy recommendations.

Optional:

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavor.
• Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open, positive, and enabling environment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF's values are Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

Application Closing Date
6th April, 2025. (Central Asia Standard Time).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Consultant (Program, Nigeria / Education Outcomes Fund / Hosted Fund

Job no: 580716
Location: Nigeria (Remote)
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: London
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Partnerships
Division / Duty Station: Education Outcomes Fund/Hosted Fund/London, UK
Duration: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026
Home / Office Based: Remote

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment

• The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), in partnership with the Lagos State Government, is starting to design an innovative education outcomes fund for basic education.
• The outcomes fund will focus on integrating out-of-school children (OOSC) aged 6-11 into formal education

Scope of Work

• EOF is looking to work with a Lagos-based consultant with an expertise in basic education and experience working on programmes related to OOSC. The consultant will support EOF to tailor their existing model of outcomes-based financing to suit the needs of OOSC in Lagos State, Nigeria.
• This consultant will provide contextual understanding on designing and implementing effective interventions to support OOSC integrating into bain Lagos State, Nigeria.
• The consultant will report to EOF’s Programme Manager, and work with all members of EOF’s team

The consultant will support EOF in adapting its outcomes-based financing model for Lagos by:

• Providing input on interventions and policies relevant to out-of-school children in Lagos State.
• Assessing cost implications and feasibility of various programme design options, both on the overall fund and implementing partners.
• Actively contributing to programme design through direct involvement in drafting key documents, defining objectives, and structuring different measurement and payment frameworks.
• Engaging with Lagos State government and Federal Government counterparts as well as other key stake holders, including potential implementing partners and funders, to ensure alignment for the programme’s design.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables
Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline:

• Conduct a review of relevant domestic and/or international interventions that have successfully supported OOSC, specifically in urban settings, integrating into basic education through desk-based research and informal interviews with implementing partners
• Identify best practices, risks, and key considerations for adapting these models to Lagos State
• Produce a written report or set of slides summarizing the findings and recommendations for EOF’s programme design
• Evidence Review and Recommendations Report (estimated 15-20 pages)

01 June 2025:

• Assess the cost implications and overall feasibility of various programme design options, including unit costs per child, overall budget needs, implementing partner capacity and time horizons
• Collaborate with the programme team at EOF in producing a written report - building on deliverable 1 - that identifies cost-effective approaches that maximize impact while ensuring financial sustainability
• Deliverable 2: Written guidance on Costing and Feasibility Analysis (estimated 5-10 pages)

July 2025:

• Act as a key contributor to EOF’s programme design across several core components: (i) finalizing program objectives, (ii) definition of appropriate payment metrics, (iii) assessing and mitigating the risk of perverse incentives (iv) Refining the Theory of Change, (v) structuring the outcomes-based funding model, vi) reviewing appropriateness of evaluation tools and methodology. Through this, the consultant will be expected to join key design meetings and provide feedback and inputs to key design documents.
• Ensure coherence across all elements and alignment with stakeholder priorities
• Join at least five working sessions with EOF’s programme team to contribute towards the programme design
• Programme Design Contributions  (at least three programme design documents of 5-10 pages each).

30 April 2026:

• Present the draft programme design components to key government stakeholders and organizations with relevant experience, ensuring alignment and gathering feedback for refinements
• Support EOF in stakeholder consultations and workshops and help define the most appropriate governance structure for the design (and implementation) of the programme
• Stakeholder Engagement and Presentation (minimum of eight presentations, each of estimated 90 minutes)

30 October 2025:

• Travel: Estimated five mission travels to schools within Lagos State, each of an estimated 5 working days.

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree in political science, economics, finance, business, education, international development, international public policy, or a related field, is required
• A Bachelor’s degree will be accepted with an additional 2 years' experienc
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in education, international development, public policy, or programme management.
• Experience working in the basic education sector and development sectors in Nigeria, specifically in Lagos State.
• Experience in education program design and implementation, particularly with a focus on out-of-school children (preferably within urban settings and Nigeria preferable).
• Fluency in English is required
• Experience working with OOSC or on programmes related to OOSC in Lagos State, Nigeria
• Experience in working on innovative financing, including experience working within or on results-based financing or outcomes-based approaches
• Experience working with or collaborating with donors and government in Lagos State, and domestic and international donors.

Benefits

• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Application Closing Date
8th April, 2025; West Central Africa Standard Time.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Application Document Requirements

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system and
• Upload copy of academic credentials

Financial proposal that will include/ reflect :

• The costs per each deliverable and the total lump-sum for the whole assignment (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference.
• travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required as per TOR.
• Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability