National Consultant for the Development of FLN Policy and Implementation Plan, Education section, Abuja, Nigeria, 6 months, Office based

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of every child's rights not just as a job, but as a calling. UNICEF fosters diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) in Nigeria with the development of a Foundational Learning and Numeracy (FLN) Policy and its accompanying Implementation Plan. This initiative is crucial for addressing identified gaps in the FLN landscape and building upon existing evidence of FLN implementation across various states. The consultant will collaborate with the FME, state governments, and other partners to map the number and location of non-formal learning centers. This work directly contributes to UNICEF's country programme for 2026-2027, aiming to strengthen foundational learning outcomes for children in Nigeria. The consultancy will leverage current global best practices and national context to create a robust policy framework.

Responsibilities

The National Consultant will be responsible for leading the development of the Foundational Learning and Numeracy (FLN) Policy for Nigeria, in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and other relevant stakeholders. This includes conducting a thorough analysis of the existing FLN landscape, identifying key gaps and challenges, and proposing evidence-based strategies for improvement. The consultant will also develop a comprehensive Implementation Plan for the FLN Policy, outlining actionable steps, timelines, and responsible parties. A critical component of the role involves mapping the number and geographical distribution of non-formal learning centers across Nigeria, working with state governments and partners. The consultant will facilitate consultations and workshops with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, educators, civil society organizations, and community representatives, to ensure the policy is inclusive and contextually relevant. Furthermore, the consultant will be expected to translate complex data and evidence into accessible formats for various audiences, including policymakers and the general public. The work will contribute to UNICEF's country programme objectives for 2026-2027, focusing on enhancing foundational learning quality and access for all children in Nigeria.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of experience in improving learning quality, with a focus on curriculum development, teacher professional development, or teaching and learning approaches in basic education. Proven experience supporting government-led education reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa or a similar context is required. Demonstrable experience in developing and implementing effective approaches for improving learning quality, particularly in foundational literacy and numeracy, is essential.

Skills

Education sector planning and strategy development, Out-of-school programming expertise, Excellent written and oral communication skills, Translating evidence for diverse audiences, FLN landscape expertise (Sub-Saharan Africa/Nigeria), Competency-based education standards, Instructional design, Working in low-resource settings, Working in multilingual settings, Government collaboration, Policy development, Implementation planning

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