As part of its efforts to support the coordination of foundational learning in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Education, through the Director of Basic Education, has requested UNICEF to support the development of the FLN Policy for Nigeria. This will build on the identified gaps in the FLN Landscape analysis and other evidence on FLN implementation across the states. The consultant will also work with FME, State governments, and partners to map the number and location of non-formal learning centers. To support these requests from FME, UNICEF seeks a consultant to undertake the work which will contribute to UNICEF’s country programme for 2026 – 2027.

Contract Duration: 6 months

Working arrangement: Office-based

 

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Education, the consultant will report directly to the Education Manager (Learning) and will be responsible for leading the FME and her agencies in the development of a Foundational Learning Policy and its implementation guidelines.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: Download File ToR TMC0004291.pdf

Minimum requirements:

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in: Education Development, Foundational Learning, Sustainable development, Education Policy, Teacher Training, International Relations, or related field.

Work Experience:

  • Demonstrated strong working knowledge and experience in current global issues and best practices in Education. 
  • Proven experience supporting government-led education reforms in any Sub-Saharan Africa region or a similar context to Nigeria. 
  • A minimum of 8 years of experience on improving learning quality, ideally with a focus on curriculum or learning materials development, teacher professional development, quality pedagogy and teaching and learning approaches in basic education. 
  • Demonstrable experience supporting the development, implementation and scale-up of effective approaches for improving learning quality, ideally focused on developing and rolling out quality, curriculum-aligned content for basic education focused on foundational literacy and numeracy. 

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

  • Demonstrated expertise in education sector planning and strategy development, particularly on out-of-school programming in Nigeria or similar context. 
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience translating evidence for and communicating with a broad range of actors (including government) on sensitive issues.  
  • Proven experience of the FLN landscape ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria specifically. 
  • Familiarity with competency-based education standards and instructional design in low-resource or multilingual settings 

Desirables:

  • Knowledge of the Nigerian political landscape and recent developments in education. 
  • Familiarity with the Nigerian education context will be considered an asset. 
  • Experience working with UN agencies or other international development agencies. 
  • A good understanding of UNICEF’s programmatic areas. 
  • 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. 
  • Strong writing skills  

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

Remarks:  

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.