International Consultant for the Development of OOSC Policy, Strategy and implementation Plan, Education Section, Abuja, Nigeria, Remote with travel, 5.52 months

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 as a calling. UNICEF fosters diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.

Job Purpose

Nigeria faces a severe twin crisis in education: a high number of out-of-school children and a learning crisis, where a significant majority of children lack foundational literacy and numeracy skills. This hinders their ability to learn higher-order skills, increases dropout rates, and contributes to low national literacy. Despite progress in school enrollment, the quality of education is compromised by issues like low participation in early learning, unqualified teachers, and inadequate learning materials. UNICEF, with a history of successful interventions like the Girls Education Project Phase III, is requested by the Federal Ministry of Education to support the development of a comprehensive Out-of-School Children (OOSC) policy and strategy. This consultancy will build upon the existing OOSC Framework, incorporating current evidence and the evolving context to address these critical challenges and contribute to UNICEF's country programme.

Responsibilities

The consultant will lead the development of a national Out-of-School Children (OOSC) policy and strategy for Nigeria, building upon the 2022 OOSC Framework and incorporating recent evidence and contextual changes. This involves collaborating closely with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), State governments, and other partners to analyze the current education landscape, identify key drivers of out-of-school children, and propose evidence-based interventions. The consultant will be responsible for mapping the number and location of non-formal learning centers, assessing their effectiveness, and recommending strategies for their integration or enhancement. A critical aspect of the role will be to translate complex data and evidence into actionable recommendations for a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and community leaders. The consultant will also facilitate workshops and consultations to ensure buy-in and ownership of the policy and strategy. Furthermore, the consultant will contribute to the development of an implementation plan with clear objectives, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms, ensuring alignment with UNICEF's country programme goals for 2026-2027 and supporting the overall objective of reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

Work Experience

A minimum of 8 years of experience in education sector planning, developing education plans, and creating education policy documents, preferably in Nigeria or a similar context. Demonstrated experience in supporting government-led education reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa or similar regions is required. Proven experience in developing and implementing initiatives focused on school enrollment, retention, completion, and transition for school-aged children is essential.

Skills

Education sector planning, Strategy development, Out-of-school programming, Policy development, Government engagement, Stakeholder consultation, Data analysis, Report writing, Project management, Interpersonal skills, Communication skills, Problem-solving

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