Consultant (Baseline Survey for the European Union Support for Strengthening Social Protection in Nigeria (ESSPIN) Project) at ActionAid (AA) Nigeria - 5 Openings

ActionAid (AA) Nigeria is an affiliate of ActionAid International, which is a global alliance of organisations working towards achieving a world without poverty and injustice in which every person enjoys the right to a life with dignity. As a large and visible development organisation, we work in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. Our expertise lies in community-led approaches to development and working through partnerships with the poor and other grass root organisations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant (Baseline Survey for the European Union Support for Strengthening Social Protection in Nigeria (ESSPIN) Project)

Locations: Abuja (FCT), Sokoto, Oyo, Abia, and Benue

The purpose of this assignment 

• To conduct a comprehensive baseline survey that generates reliable quantitative and qualitative data for the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) framework.
  The survey guided by the OECD Criteria will establish benchmarks, document the current status of the NSR, capture stakeholder feedback, analyse barriers and opportunities, and provide evidence-based strategies for effective engagement, citizen mobilisation, advocacy, and campaign approaches.

Objectives of the Baseline Assessment
The specific objectives are to:

• Establish baseline values for all key project outcomes and output indicators.
• Assess the current status, coverage, accuracy, and inclusivity of the National Social Register (NSR) across focal states and nationally.
• Understand knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of target groups regarding NSR, NIN registration, and social protection programmes.
• Identify barriers and opportunities for NSR registration and access to services, with special focus on women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
• Analyse the functionality of existing coordination platforms, accountability mechanisms, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and political economy analysis of social protection and NSR governance.
• Provide actionable recommendations and strategies for effective engagement with policy influencers, community structures, and other stakeholders.

Scope of Work
The consultant/firm will undertake the following tasks:

• Participate in an inception meeting with the ESSPIN project team and MEAL focal point.
• Conduct a desk review of relevant policies, documents, and existing studies on the NSR and social protection in Nigeria.
• Design a robust baseline methodology, including sampling framework and data collection tools.
• Collect both quantitative and qualitative data across Abia, Benue, Oyo, Sokoto states and the FCT.
• Engage diverse stakeholders through household surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
• Analyse the political economy of NSR and social protection programming.
• Ensure GEDSI-responsive and Human Rights-Based approaches throughout the assignment.
• Produce a comprehensive baseline report with clear, actionable recommendations.

Required Qualifications and Experience
 The consultant/firm should have the following:

• Advanced Degree (Master’s or PhD) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Public Policy, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in conducting large-scale baseline surveys or evaluations in social protection, governance, or poverty reduction.
• Proven expertise in mixed-methods research and GEDSI-responsive approaches.
• Strong experience working in the focal states (Abia, Benue, Oyo, Sokoto).
• Demonstrated understanding of social accountability, HRBA, and political economy analysis.
• Excellent analytical, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Experience working with EU-funded projects is an added advantage.
• Fluency in English and at least one relevant local language (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, or Tiv).

Duration of the Assignment:

• The baseline survey will be delivered by a team of individual consultants/firm comprising one Lead National Consultant engaged for 10 working days and four State Consultants (one each for Abia, Benue, Oyo, and Sokoto) engaged for 5 working days each.

Methodology
The assessment guided by the OECD Criteria will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, including but not limited to:

• Desk review of secondary data and literature.
• Structured household surveys.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with government MDAs, community leaders, and policy influencers.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with citizens, SoRATs, women, youth, and PWDs.
• Field observations and stakeholder mapping. Sampling should ensure representation across gender, age, disability, and geographic locations.

Key Deliverables
 The consultant/firm is expected to deliver:

• Inception Report: detailing methodology, sampling strategy, work plan, and data collection tools.
• Pre-tested data collection tools.
• Raw and Cleaned quantitative dataset and qualitative transcripts with codebook.
• Draft Baseline Report (with state-specific chapters and consolidated national report).
• Final Baseline Report incorporating all feedback.
• PowerPoint presentation and policy brief summarizing key findings and recommendations.

Application Closing Date
15th July, 2026.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their expression of interest (detailing how you intend to accomplish this assignment, with samples of similar jobs done within the past 3 years), financial budget and CV to: procurement.nigeria@actionaid.org using “EOI – Baseline Survey for ESSPIN Project” as the subject of the mail.

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Note

• Applications should be sent in one Microsoft Word or PDF document
• Women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage.

Submission of Expression of Interest
Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit:

• Cover Letter;
• Technical Proposal;
• Financial Proposal;
• Company Profile or CV of Lead Consultant;
• Evidence of previous similar assignments;
• Contact details for at least three references.

The following compliance documents submitted with the applications:

• Company profile
• CAC registration (CAC 7)
• Tax clearance certificate
• Evidence of previous jobs, especially with INGOs
• Audited accounts (at least 2023).