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. 

For every child, Education.

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:

Nigeria is home to approximately 206 million people, 43 per cent of whom are below 14 years of age. By 2030, there will be close to 126 million children in Nigeria. The growing child population places significant pressure on the provision of schooling and the delivery of education services. Despite the progress made in the past years, 10.2 million children at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary levels remain out of school. Lack of access to safe, quality, inclusive education impacts learning of children. Approximately 50 per cent of students in school cannot read or write, while only one in four children in Nigeria demonstrate foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) recognizes the critical role of data in shaping policies, monitoring progress, and enhancing the quality of education in Nigeria. Developing a unified Data Repository for the Nigerian Educational System will ensure the seamless collection, storage, and retrieval of educational data from the Basic to Tertiary levels. This initiative will leverage the National Identity Management Commission's (NIMC) unique identification number for students, linking their academic history and facilitating data-driven decision-making processes.

FME has recently launched the Nigeria Education Sector Renew Initiative (NESRI). The six key priority areas are: promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medical Sciences (STEMM) education, Reducing the Number of Out-of-School Children, Enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), advancing Girl-Child Education, Harnessing Data and Digitalization and Strengthening Quality Assurance Mechanisms. UNICEF’s education programme is centred around providing technical expertise in education to the Federal and State Ministries of Education, as well as key education commissions including the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in support of NESRI and across three pillars of access, learning and system strengthening. 

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:

To provide specialized technical expertise lead Nigerian Education Data Initiative (NEDI) and systems with the Federal Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other development partners. 

How can you make a difference? 

The consultant will work with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and Commissions, State Ministries of Education (SMoEs) and Boards, and development partners to establish a unified education databank for Nigeria to address the sector’s persistent challenges of data fragmentation and incompleteness.

The specific tasks are:

1.Work closely with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), UNICEF and other development partners to plan harmonization of education data systems across educational agencies.

2.Map and review all ongoing government agencies, UNICEF and other development partners work on education data to avoid duplication of efforts.

3.Provide strategic direction for developing, implementing, and sustaining the NEDI, including harmonization and/or the design and deployment of a comprehensive national education database that captures data across all levels of education.

4.Oversee the development and implementation of policies, standards, and guidelines for data collection, analysis, and reporting in alignment with national education goals and in compliance with data protection laws and ethical standards in handling education data.

5.Collaborate with relevant government agencies, state education ministries, educational institutions, and development partners to ensure seamless data sharing and integration.

6.Serve as the primary liaison between the Ministry of Education, development partners, and other stakeholders on education data matters.

7.Oversee the development and implementation of capacity-building programs to train Federal level MoE officials involved in data collection, management, and analysis.

8.Coordinate the collection, validation, and analysis of education-related data from all levels of the education system, including data accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across all reporting platforms.

9. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of data management processes and systems and conduct periodic evaluations to ensure continuous improvement of the initiative.

Work Assignments Overview:

1. Work closely with Federal Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), UNICEF and other development partners to plan harmonization of education data systems across educational agencies.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Detailed plan developed and submitted.

2. Oversee the development and implementation of policies, standards, and guidelines for data collection, analysis, and reporting in alignment with national education goals and in compliance with data protection laws and ethical standards in handling education data.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Mapping of education data.

3. Conduct awareness campaigns to promote stakeholder buy-in and support for NEDI, advocate for support for a unified education databank and reliable education data in policy planning and implementation.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Advocacy meeting reports

4. Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of data management processes and systems and conduct periodic evaluations to ensure continuous improvement of the initiative.

Deliverables/Outputs:

KPIs and evaluation reports

5. Provide strategic direction for developing, implementing, and sustaining the NEDI, including harmonization and/or the design and deployment of a comprehensive national education database that captures data across all levels of education.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Harmonized education data systems.

6. Prepare and present periodic reports on education data trends, challenges, and progress to Ministry of Education, UNICEF and other development partners/stakeholders

Deliverables/Outputs:

Progress reports (quarterly)

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

• An advanced university degree in Education, computer science, ICT, social science, public policy, or related discipline
• Five years of experience working with Government at federal level on education data systems, data harmonization, and digitalization.
• Advanced knowledge of Education Management Information System (EMIS)
• Advanced skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Training and coaching skills on education data management, data collection and analysis, and education data harmonization.
• Previous experience in supporting Government in EMIS/data implementation is required
• Previous experience working with UNICEF and/or Ministries of Education required

To view the complete TOR, click here Terms of Reference_National Education Data Consultant.pdf

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. 

Applicants must submit their financial and technical proposals along with this application. Applications without these will not be considered. Use this form to provide your financial proposal. 

 All-Inclusive Financial Proposal Form-Current.docx

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.