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West and Central Africa Region

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Programme and Policy

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International Consultant - Nigeria Country Programme Development (CPD), 13 Months, Abuja Nigeria

Apply now Job no: 583764
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Abuja
Level: Consultancy
Location: Nigeria
Categories: Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

UNICEF, guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, works together with partners in 190 countries and territories to promote and advocate for the protection of the rights of every child.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, a chance. 

In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting to fulfill and protect children's rights in partnership with the 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/

Background:

The development of the UNICEF Nigeria Country Programme (2028–2032) comes at a pivotal moment for both Nigeria and the global development landscape. Nationally, Nigeria is preparing to roll out its National Development Plan (2026–2030) and to co-create a new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2028–2032, both of which will set the direction of the country’s development trajectory. These processes are unfolding amidst rapid demographic growth, technological shifts, environmental stressors, widening social inequalities, and the upcoming 2027 general elections, which are expected to reset governance priorities for the coming decade.

How can you make a difference? 

 Purpose of the Assignment:

The UNICEF Nigeria Country Office is looking to hire a qualified individual consultant with the requisite technical expertise and experience to support and facilitate the country programme development process for 2028-2032. More specifically, the individual consultant will support the following in close collaboration with the Deputy Representative, Programmes and Chief, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting.
 
Specifically, the consultancy will:
  • Provide technical leadership for the design of UNICEF Nigeria’s 2028–2032 Country Programme, ensuring strategic alignment with the UNSDCF, National Development Plan, UNICEF Strategic Plan, and relevant global/regional initiatives.
  • Integrate evidence synthesis, including lessons learned, evaluations and foresight analysis into programme design by June 2026.
  • Attend and actively participate in relevant planning workshops such as the Strategic Moment of Reflection (SMR) in July 2026, monthly CPD reference group meetings, and around 6 stakeholder and partners meetings within July-November 2026.
  • Support the preparation and co-facilitate the strategic planning workshops, including the theory of change by September 2026 and results framework (RF) development by February 2027, CPD validation by March 2027.
  • Provide monitoring and evaluation technical assistance and guidance on the theory of change and results framework development.
  • Facilitate at least three key strategic planning workshops (ToC, RF, CPD validation workshops) and attend relevant planning meetings to present or validate key documents in support of the development of the 2028-2032 Country Programme.
  • Draft the Theory of Change and Results Framework, with a SMART and technically sound results measurement plan, in consultation with the reference group.
  • Draft the 2028-2032 Country Programme Document in collaboration with the reference group to be ready for submission to the Regional Office by the April 2027.
  • Produce a high-quality CPD narrative and annexes that meet UNICEF HQ and Regional standards and timelines for submission to the Executive Board by May 2027.
Deliverables/Outputs
 
1. Consolidate evidence synthesis, integrating lessons learned, evaluations, and foresight analysis to inform programme design.
Produce a matrix linking evidence to draft programme priorities based on the conceptual framework
 
2. Active participation, co-facilitation and technical guidance in at least 6 key stakeholder and partner consultation meetings (monthly CPD reference group meeting, Strategic Moment of Reflection, ToC, Results Framework and CPD Validation), to ensure technical quality and alignment of the CPD with the UNSDCF, National Development Plan, UNICEF Strategic Plan, and global/regional initiatives
 
Review ToCs
 
Report on the key discussion points and strategic intent paper to the CPD if required
 
3.Based on the ToC, the consultant will support the development of the CP results framework to articulate UNICEF's country programme outcomes and outputs.
 
4. Draft the UNICEF Nigeria’s 2028–2032 Country Programme Document (CPD) narrative and annexes shared with the Resident Coordinator and endorsed by the Government before finalisation and submission to the regional office.
 
First draft CPD narrative and annexes prepared in consultation with the reference group.
 
5. CPD internal validation workshop
 
Revised CPD package incorporating Regional Office feedback.
 
Final CPD narrative and annexes that meet UNICEF HQ and Regional standards, ready for submission to the Executive Board.
 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

  • Advanced degree in Planning, Public Policy, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field.
  • Planning expert with minimum 8 years of extensive experience and skills on UNICEF CPD development, Strategic prioritization, ToC development.
  • Extensive experience and skills in developing Results frameworks for Country Programmes and results measurement and indicator frameworks.
  • Demonstrated experience in supporting the development of at least 2 UNICEF country programme development process.
  • Strong understanding of child rights, intergenerational equity, and sustainable development, including familiarity with relevant global frameworks (e.g., UN CRC, SDGs, Declaration on Future Generations).
  • Experience working with government institutions, think tanks, and multilateral agencies, particularly in long-term planning processes.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about children’s rights and making a lasting difference on children’s lives, one of the global leading entities on children’s rights would like to hear from you.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, Sustainability (CRITAS), and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is also proud of a diverse workforce who are profoundly committed to supporting the full realization of children’s rights, and in uplifting a rights-based approach in all that we do.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others  

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 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.

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 to ensure 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. 

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Advertised: W. Central Africa Standard Time
Deadline: W. Central Africa Standard Time

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