UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to care.

How can you make a difference?

The consultant will document promising practices from ASWA III, build the system to generate evidence on WASH impacts across health and education outcomes, support the states to advance on their sustainability response plans, and support the federal government on the HOSI. Key activities that will include:

Development of 4 knowledge products documenting progress on climate resilience, sustainability and gender transformative WASH
Establishment of indicators and collection of baseline (2024), 2025 and 2026 data of key health and education outcomes from routing government monitoring systems related to WASH, in the ASWA III targeted local government areas (LGA) and communities (Lere and Kagarko LGA in Kaduna, and Shelleng and Ganye LGAs in Adamawa)
Support state governments to advance and institutionalize priority actions in the state sustainability plans, and the federal government to develop a concrete activities to be implemented from January 2026 – 2027 in response to the 2021 SWSC.
Support the federal government with engagement and initiatives related to HOSI, including: preparations for the UN Water Conference (December 2026), implementation and documentation of 2-3 priority actions from the Nigerian Youth - Government Collaborative Work Plan following the Kigali symposium, and finalization and implementation of the Nigeria Water Compact.

The consultancy will also serve a learning and adaptive management function, providing actionable recommendations to strengthen implementation, improve programme effectiveness, and enhance sustainability of ASWA III for the remaining programme period and beyond.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here: ToR TMC0006744.pdf

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

(Qualifications/Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills)

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in one or more of the following fields: Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Social Sciences, WASH Engineering, Monitoring and Evaluation, or other closely related disciplines relevant to the assignment.

Work Experience:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and public health
Demonstrated experience in supporting high-level government engagements for international conferences and meetings
Proven expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), including design and implementation of data management and data collection tools
Strong track record in applying evidence and analysis to inform programme design, strategy development, and policy recommendations.
Experience in knowledge management, and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
Demonstrated knowledge and experience of supporting sustainability initiatives for WASH services
Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and community stakeholders, particularly in low-resource or development contexts.
Excellent facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills, including ability to interact effectively with diverse audiences at national and local levels.
Strong analytical, synthesis, and report writing skills, with ability to produce high-quality, evidence-based outputs within tight deadlines.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:

Strong understanding of WASH systems strengthening, including institutional arrangements, governance, financing, planning and monitoring
Familiarity with WASH service sustainability assessments and approaches.
Experience in gender-sensitive and inclusive data collection and analysis, including addressing ethical considerations and safeguarding.
Proficiency in data analysis tools (qualitative and/or quantitative) is desirable.
Strong understanding of climate resilient WASH, and WASH and gender equality

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
Working knowledge of Hausa or other relevant local languages in Kaduna and Adamawa is a strong asset.

Desirables:

Experience working in Northern Nigeria, particularly Kaduna and/or Adamawa States.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with sensitivity to local contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. 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.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
Cover letter
A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal template TMC0006744.docx

A detailed technical proposal: Comprehensive technical proposal must be submitted outlining how the work is to be conducted and proposed timelines. Applications without a technical proposal will not be considered.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

National Consultant, ASWA III Systems strengthening and knowledge management, Abuja, Nigeria (Remote + travel), 6 months, #596032