Consultant (Program, Nigeria) at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) - Remote

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant (Program, Nigeria / Education Outcomes Fund / Hosted Fund

Job no: 580716
Location: Nigeria (Remote)
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: London
Level: Consultancy
Categories: Partnerships
Division / Duty Station: Education Outcomes Fund/Hosted Fund/London, UK
Duration: 1 May 2025 – 30 April 2026
Home / Office Based: Remote

Purpose of Activity/ Assignment

• The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF), in partnership with the Lagos State Government, is starting to design an innovative education outcomes fund for basic education. 
• The outcomes fund will focus on integrating out-of-school children (OOSC) aged 6-11 into formal education

Scope of Work

• EOF is looking to work with a Lagos-based consultant with an expertise in basic education and experience working on programmes related to OOSC. The consultant will support EOF to tailor their existing model of outcomes-based financing to suit the needs of OOSC in Lagos State, Nigeria. 
• This consultant will provide contextual understanding on designing and implementing effective interventions to support OOSC integrating into bain Lagos State, Nigeria. 
• The consultant will report to EOF’s Programme Manager, and work with all members of EOF’s team

The consultant will support EOF in adapting its outcomes-based financing model for Lagos by:

• Providing input on interventions and policies relevant to out-of-school children in Lagos State.
• Assessing cost implications and feasibility of various programme design options, both on the overall fund and implementing partners.
• Actively contributing to programme design through direct involvement in drafting key documents, defining objectives, and structuring different measurement and payment frameworks.
• Engaging with Lagos State government and Federal Government counterparts as well as other key stake holders, including potential implementing partners and funders, to ensure alignment for the programme’s design.

Terms of Reference / Key Deliverables
Work Assignment Overview/Deliverables and Outputs/Delivery deadline:

• Conduct a review of relevant domestic and/or international interventions that have successfully supported OOSC, specifically in urban settings, integrating into basic education through desk-based research and informal interviews with implementing partners
• Identify best practices, risks, and key considerations for adapting these models to Lagos State
• Produce a written report or set of slides summarizing the findings and recommendations for EOF’s programme design
• Evidence Review and Recommendations Report (estimated 15-20 pages)

01 June 2025:

• Assess the cost implications and overall feasibility of various programme design options, including unit costs per child, overall budget needs, implementing partner capacity and time horizons
• Collaborate with the programme team at EOF in producing a written report - building on deliverable 1 - that identifies cost-effective approaches that maximize impact while ensuring financial sustainability
• Deliverable 2: Written guidance on Costing and Feasibility Analysis (estimated 5-10 pages)

July 2025:

• Act as a key contributor to EOF’s programme design across several core components: (i) finalizing program objectives, (ii) definition of appropriate payment metrics, (iii) assessing and mitigating the risk of perverse incentives (iv) Refining the Theory of Change, (v) structuring the outcomes-based funding model, vi) reviewing appropriateness of evaluation tools and methodology. Through this, the consultant will be expected to join key design meetings and provide feedback and inputs to key design documents.
• Ensure coherence across all elements and alignment with stakeholder priorities
• Join at least five working sessions with EOF’s programme team to contribute towards the programme design
• Programme Design Contributions  (at least three programme design documents of 5-10 pages each).

30 April 2026:

• Present the draft programme design components to key government stakeholders and organizations with relevant experience, ensuring alignment and gathering feedback for refinements
• Support EOF in stakeholder consultations and workshops and help define the most appropriate governance structure for the design (and implementation) of the programme
• Stakeholder Engagement and Presentation (minimum of eight presentations, each of estimated 90 minutes)

30 October 2025:

• Travel: Estimated five mission travels to schools within Lagos State, each of an estimated 5 working days.

Minimum Requirements

• A Master’s degree in political science, economics, finance, business, education, international development, international public policy, or a related field, is required
• A Bachelor’s degree will be accepted with an additional 2 years' experienc
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in education, international development, public policy, or programme management.
• Experience working in the basic education sector and development sectors in Nigeria, specifically in Lagos State.
• Experience in education program design and implementation, particularly with a focus on out-of-school children (preferably within urban settings and Nigeria preferable).
• Fluency in English is required
• Experience working with OOSC or on programmes related to OOSC in Lagos State, Nigeria
• Experience in working on innovative financing, including experience working within or on results-based financing or outcomes-based approaches
• Experience working with or collaborating with donors and government in Lagos State, and domestic and international donors.

Benefits

• Any emergent / unforeseen duty travel and related expenses will be covered by UNICEF.
• At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.
• Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed satisfactory deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

Application Closing Date
8th April, 2025; West Central Africa Standard Time.