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:

With a population of approximately 206 million, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. Approximately 43 per cent of the population is below 14 years of age. It is estimated that one in every 13 births globally will occur in Nigeria by 2050 . Although this demographic dividend could support the country to further stimulate its economic growth and development, it places an immense burden on an education system already heavily pressured by infrastructure deficits, an inadequately trained teacher cadre, fiscal austerity and regressive funding patterns.

Purpose Of the Assignment:

Although basic education is free and compulsory, 10.2 million children at primary school age and 8.1 million children at junior secondary school age are out of school. This means approximately one in four children of basic education age in Nigeria are excluded from education. The challenge in education access is not equally distributed across the country. For example, 66 per cent of out-of-school children are in the North-East and North-West, 86 per cent are in rural areas, and 65 per cent are from households in the poorest socioeconomic quintile, indicating a need for addressing educational inequality with targeted approaches. Due to the limited access to schooling and the poor quality of education provided, about 75 per cent of children aged 7–14 do not acquire foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills that are critical for further learning and skills development.

One of the interventions implemented by the state governments with support of UNICEF and other partners is the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP). ABEP is an alternative learning programme aimed at providing educational opportunities for Out of School Children and youths. The objective is to allow learners to catch-up on missed schooling and integrate into formal school or acquire vocational skills (older learners) based on the interest of the learners. The programme specifically targets children aged 10-18 who have either dropped out of school or never attended and are now overage for formal primary education. The implementation package includes a structured curriculum, a National Implementation Guidance document to support education officials and practitioners, and a Teacher Training Manual designed to equip educators with the necessary skills to deliver accelerated learning effectively. The ABEP curriculum developed by the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) is aligned with the national basic education curriculum but condensed and includes five core subjects, English Studies, Mathematics, Basic Science and Technology, Nigerian History and Values, and a selected Nigerian language. The ABEP is divided into three levels (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3). Each level is 9 months.  

How can you make a difference? 

Scope Of Work:

1. Develop investment case framework

1.1. Stakeholder coordination and engagement

-  Organize a meeting with key federal-level stakeholders (e.g., Federal Ministry of Education; ABEP Task force) to present, discuss and agree on the concept and workplan of investment case development.

1.2. Review and analyze ABEP delivery models:

-  Conduct a desk review of reports and studies on ABEP.

- Conduct interviews with federal-level stakeholders (e.g., Federal Ministry of Education; ABEP Task force).

- Conduct field visits to two states to interview key stakeholders (e.g., SUBEB; ABEP centres; local education officers) and review the planning and implementation of ABEP. Gather information related to ABEP implementation (e.g., cost, enrolment, transition data). 

- Examine and validate existing ABEP delivery models, which include analysis of local assumptions, detailed costing, outcomes, and model variations.

1.3. Develop investment case framework

-  Use the collected data and analysis to develop an ABEP investment case framework, which outlines the structure and methodology for the investment case (two states). This framework includes:

- Identification of critical inputs, cost categories, and implementation assumptions.

- Definition of key outcomes and indicators for measuring impact.

- Proposed approach for scenario analysis and cost-effectiveness estimation.

2. Draft state-level investment cases (two states)

2.1. Apply the framework to two states to draft state-level ABEP investment cases

-Refine and finalize cost and outcome data and develop 2–3 implementation scenarios per state (intensity, modality, context).

-  Conduct sensitivity and cost-effectiveness analysis, compare scenarios across states and against the benchmark nationally, and develop key messages and summary findings.

- Draft state-level investment cases with key messages, which include:

- Detailed costing and scenario modeling.

•  Cost-effectiveness ratios per scenario.
•  Preliminary estimates of reach, impact, and returns on investment.
• Comparative summary of state cases and extrapolated national-level implications.

3. Finalize state-level investment cas3es (two states) and national-level policy brief

3.1. Finalize and validate the state-level ABEP investment cases

- Share draft investment cases with federal and state stakeholders (e.g., FME, UBEC, ABEP Taskforce, SUBEB) and organize a validation meeting.

- Revise and finalize the investment cases based on feedback.

3.2. Develop a national-level policy brief on ABEP

- Develop a national-level policy brief with strategic narrative for improved access, quality and equity.

- Prepare ABEP policy presentation deck and key message summary for policy advocacy.

Work Assignment/Overview:

1. Develop investment case framework

Deliverable/Output:

Investment case framework

2. Draft state-level investment cases (two states)

Deliverable/Output:

Two draft state-level investment cases

3. Finalize state-level investment cases (two states) and national-level policy brief

Deliverable/Output:

Two final state-level investment cases validated

- National-level policy brief on ABEP

- Policy presentation deck and key messages summary

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

• An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, International Development, Education. 
• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in programme review and evaluation.
• At least five years of experience in cost-effectiveness analysis and financial evaluation of programmes in the development sector.
• At least three years of experiencing in designing, implementing, or evaluating education programmes.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Working knowledge of UNICEF programmes in the education sector is an asset.
• Fluency in cost-saving approaches for development programmes as well as knowledge of education sector "best buys "is an asset.
• Familiarity with donor priorities and an understanding of the education landscape, ideally in Nigeria or in other WCAR countries, is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

To view the complete TOR, click here   TOR International Consultant (ABEP Investment Case).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.