International Consultant - Development of ABEP Investment Cases at United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

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: International Consultant - Development of ABEP Investment Cases

Job ID: 581890
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Contract, Consultant
Categories: Education
Level: Consultancy

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:

Develop investment case framework:
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.

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.

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.

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

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

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:

• Develop investment case framework

Deliverable / Output:

• Investment case framework
• Draft state-level investment cases (two states)

Deliverable/Output:

• Two draft state-level investment cases
• 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

Requirements
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, and 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 experience in designing, implementing, or evaluating education programmes.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergencies 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. 

Application Closing Date
7th July, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online