National Consultant for Development at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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 position below:

Job Title: National Consultant - Development of a National Policy on Alternative Learning Pathways in Nigeria

Job no: 580993
Location: Abuja
Contract type: Consultant
Duration: 40 working days

Scope of Work
Under the overall supervision of the Chief Education, the consultant will report directly to the Education Manager (Learning) and will be responsible for the following over the course of the contract:

• Undertake a desk review of the Situational Analysis on Alternative Pathways and Distance Learning in Nigeria, the UBEC National Framework of Action to Reduce the Number of OOSC in Nigeria, and the UBEC National Framework of Action for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, and other existing frameworks and policies that supports alternative, flexible and distance learning for formal and non-formal education, including in both development and humanitarian settings, and develop a draft National Policy on Alternative learning pathways in Nigeria.
• Revision (1) of the draft policy document based on Government and UNICEF feedback.
• Support stakeholder consultation on the draft policy document (develop PPT presentations on the policy document and group work materials).
• Revision (2) of the draft policy document based on input from the stakeholder consultation.
• Revision (3) of the policy document based on a review by the government and UNICEF.
• Revision (4) of the policy document based on validation and critique by government, UNICEF and partners.
• Revision (5) and delivery of the final policy document, including PPT presentation covering the final policy document.

Deliverables/Outputs

• Inception report including methodology, timeline and deadlines for the assignment
• Desk review of the Situational Analysis on Alternative Learning Pathways (ALP) in Nigeria, National Policy on ICT in Education and other existing relevant documents and frameworks, development of the first draft of the National Policy on Alternative, Flexible and Distance learning pathways – to include:
  • Introduction: summary situation analysis, policy rationale and objectives, mission and vision statement, Policy objectives, targets and outcomes for alternative and distance learning, guiding principles for the alternative learning policy and overview of the policy.
  • Non-formal education, Alternative, flexible and distance learning pathways in Nigeria: Role and importance of alternative, flexible and distance learning pathways (highlighting peculiarities to the different geo-political zones) in Nigeria education ecosystem, incorporating national priorities on ALP and policy statements
  • Implementation mechanism: A clear roadmap for the policy, including stakeholders, roles and responsibilities, role of Alternative Learning Pathways Task Team at federal, state, community and school levels
  • Planning, research, monitoring and evaluation mechanism: outline of the M&E mechanism, SMART targets, research and data collection, quality assurance.
  • Guidelines for operationalizing the ALP Policy document: rationale, objectives, target audience, partners’ roles and responsibilities, linkages to Federal, state, community and school bodies.
  • Resource mobilization and funding the ALP Policy document: targets, funding mechanisms, roles and responsibilities for resource mobilization, fundraising and resource allocation.
  • Communication and dissemination of the Alternative and Distance learning Policy
  • Policy implementation framework: Strategies, activities, indicators, timeline, responsible stakeholders, resources required.
• Revision (1) of the draft policy document based on government and UNICEF feedback.
• Support stakeholder consultation on the draft policy document (develop PPT presentations on the policy document and group work materials) across the Southern and Northern zones and the FCT.

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

• An advanced university degree in Education development, education policy, social policy, international relations or related field
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience with using education data and evidence to inform non-formal education or alternative learning programming and/or policy. 
• Demonstrated strong working knowledge and experiences in current global issues and best practices in Education
• Experience in working on non-formal education and alternative learning will be added advantage. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience translating evidence for and communicating with a broad range of actors (including government) on sensitive issues. 
• Experience in developing policy documents.
• Strong experience leading and facilitating policy dialogue. 
• Knowledge of the Nigerian political landscape and recent developments in education.
• Ability to work to tight timeframes and flexibility to adjust to needs of government and UNICEF
• Ability to present ideas concisely for diverse audiences and to give practical, actionable advice grounded in evidence
• 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
30th April, 2025 West Central Africa Standard Time.

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