Current vacancies

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.

And we never give up.

Click here to experience our country through the perspective of our colleagues by clicking on this Link

For every child, Hope

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with government, civil society, children, and families.  UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest UNICEF Country Offices globally - click the link to learn more about UNICEF in Nigeria: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/.

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The purpose of this consultancy is to lead the establishment and operationalization of the Child Protection Research and Information Centre under the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs. The Centre Coordinator and Public Policy Analyst will provide strategic leadership, manage research and data systems, and ensure evidence-based policymaking in child protection. The role involves synthesizing research, coordinating stakeholders, and translating data into actionable policy recommendations. The consultant will also oversee capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and institutional partnerships, ensuring the Centre becomes a national hub for child protection data, research, and policy engagement aligned with government and UNICEF priorities.

Nigeria’s child protection system faces challenges due to fragmented data, weak coordination, and limited use of evidence in policymaking. Despite platforms like CPIMS+, CRVS, and DHIS2, data remains underutilized. To address this, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with UNICEF, is establishing a Child Protection Research and Information Centre. This Centre will serve as a national hub for data harmonization, research, and policy engagement. It aims to strengthen child protection systems by promoting evidence-based planning, service delivery, and legal reforms. The Centre will bridge gaps between research and policy, fostering collaboration among government, civil society, and development partners.

Scope of work:

The consultant will lead the establishment and strategic management of the Child Protection Research and Information Centre. The scope includes:

1. Centre Operationalization: Lead the setup and implementation of the Centre’s strategic and operational plans in alignment with national and UNICEF priorities.
2. Research and Data Management: Oversee the collection, synthesis, and dissemination of child protection data and research outputs.
3. Policy Engagement: Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and support legislative reforms.
4. Stakeholder Coordination: Foster partnerships with government, NGOs, and development partners to strengthen child protection systems.
5. Capacity Building: Design and deliver training programs to enhance data utilization and decision-making among child protection actors.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here   TOR (Centre Coordinator_consultancy).pdf

Education:

Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Child Protection, Public Policy, or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years in child protection research, public policy, or related areas.

Proven expertise in data-driven policy advocacy, research synthesis, and evidence-based decision-making

Familiarity with child protection data systems such as CPIMS+, DHIS2, GBVIMS, and other relevant platforms

Strong leadership, strategic planning, and project management capabilities.

Demonstrated experience in building partnerships with government, NGOs, and development partners.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English Language. Knowledge of language of duty station would be an added advantage.

Please submit your all-inclusive financial and technical proposal along with the application. Application without these will not be entertained. 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.