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:

Over the course of the current Country Programme Document (CPD) 2023–2027, UNICEF Nigeria aims to position itself as a knowledge broker—actively learning, generating, and sharing lessons and emerging best practices that drive results for children. To fulfill this role effectively, the development of high-quality knowledge products is essential. These products are central to meeting the innovation and knowledge management demands of the programme and ensuring that data, evidence, and insights inform action.

How can you make a difference? 

 Purpose of Assignment:

Under the overall guidance of the Knowledge Management Specialist, the Consultant will support innovation and knowledge management (KM) processes by working collaboratively with results managers in both the Abuja and field offices. The Consultant will help identify, co-create, and document knowledge products that facilitate learning, inform decision-making, and promote the sharing of lessons and best practices to improve programme outcomes.

Key Activities:

1.Knowledge Gaps Assessment

In close collaboration with the PMR Chief, KM Specialist, co-design and support the conduct of desk reviews and stakeholder consultations across child protection, WASH and Nutrition sectors.

2.Knowledge Product Development

Collaborate with results managers in Abuja and field offices to identify impactful initiatives.

Co-create and document ten knowledge products (e.g., case studies, best practices, innovations).

Ensure products are aligned with UNICEF branding and knowledge standards.

3. Support in coordination and reporting

Participate in regular check-ins with the Knowledge Management Specialist.

Engage with field offices and programme sections to gather inputs.

Submit monthly progress updates and a final consolidated report

Work Assignment:

1.Contribute or lead conducting desk research, analysing data, and gathering insights from field offices and programme sections. This contribution will feed into the development of an action plan that informs strategic KM priorities aligned with programme results

Deliverables/ Output:

KM gaps analysis and action plan

2.Develop and disseminate high-quality knowledge products that support advocacy, policy influence, and learning. Collaborate with results managers from programme sections and field offices to develop concept notes and draft outlines for key knowledge products.

Deliverables/ Output:

10 knowledge management products (key insights, lessons learned, good practices, case studies, guides, failures etc.)

3.Develop and finalize materials that showcase the Nigeria Country Office’s innovation initiatives. This includes producing a comprehensive report mapping scalable innovations within the Nigeria CO. Ensure all materials are uploaded and regularly updated in relevant repositories, including INVENT (UNICEF’s global innovation data system) and the Nigeria Country Office SharePoint

Deliverables/ Output:

10 innovation portfolio products depending on the stage of innovation (pilot, ready to scale or replication)

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  KM Terms of Reference.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced Degree in communications, knowledge management, international development, or other relevant areas 
• At least eight years of relevant senior-level work experience in writing content for lessons learned, innovations, failures, case studies, emerging and proven practices
• Demonstrated experience designing creative and engaging content for capacity-building and facilitating knowledge sharing
• Demonstrated experience in creative graphic and audio-visual designs
• Crafting compelling narrative and structure and incorporating content/ inputs from several authors and sources
• Experience working with the UN system is an added value.

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.