National Consultant ASWA III - Systems Strengthening and Knowledge Management

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, aiming to build careers while serving children and communities globally.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in documenting promising practices from the ASWA III initiative, which focuses on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) impacts across health and education outcomes. The consultant will be responsible for building a system to generate evidence on these impacts, supporting states in advancing their sustainability response plans, and assisting the federal government with various initiatives related to WASH. Key activities include developing knowledge products, establishing indicators, collecting baseline data, and supporting government engagements for international conferences. The consultancy will also involve providing actionable recommendations to strengthen implementation and enhance the sustainability of ASWA III for the remaining program period and beyond.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop four knowledge products documenting progress on climate resilience, sustainability, and gender-transformative WASH initiatives.
• Establish indicators and collect baseline data for 2024, 2025, and 2026 on key health and education outcomes related to WASH in targeted local government areas and communities.
• Support state governments in advancing and institutionalizing priority actions in their sustainability plans.
• Assist the federal government in developing concrete activities for implementation from January 2026 to 2027 in response to the 2021 SWSC.
• Engage with the federal government on initiatives related to HOSI, including preparations for the UN Water Conference and the implementation of priority actions from the Nigerian Youth-Government Collaborative Work Plan.
• Provide recommendations for strengthening implementation and improving program effectiveness.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Social Sciences, WASH Engineering, Monitoring and Evaluation, or related fields.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in WASH and public health.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting high-level government engagements for international conferences.
• Proven expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), including data management and collection tools.
• Strong analytical, synthesis, and report writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality outputs within tight deadlines.
• Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and community stakeholders in low-resource contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in relevant fields such as Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Social Sciences, WASH Engineering, or Monitoring and Evaluation. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of WASH systems and their impact on health and education outcomes.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the fields of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and public health. Candidates should have a strong track record in supporting high-level government engagements and demonstrated expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). Experience in knowledge management and both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory. A working knowledge of Hausa or other relevant local languages in Kaduna and Adamawa is considered a strong asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be full-time, with a focus on sustainability initiatives for WASH services. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, or background. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and abuse. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous background checks and must adhere to UNICEF's standards and principles. Applications must include an up-to-date TMS profile, CV, cover letter, financial proposal, and a detailed technical proposal outlining the approach and timelines for the consultancy.