Climate Resilient Program Consultant - National Consultant

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, which is not just a job but a calling. UNICEF prides itself on a culture that fosters staff development and offers diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth, alongside an attractive compensation and benefits package. In Nigeria, UNICEF works in a complex humanitarian and development setting, partnering with the government, civil society, children, and families to fulfill and protect children's rights. UNICEF Nigeria is one of the largest country offices globally, focusing on providing equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene services to children and families.

Job Overview:
The Climate Resilient Program Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the UNICEF team in Abuja and various Field Offices across Nigeria. The consultant will be involved in planning, monitoring, and documenting the implementation progress of the Climate Resilient Infrastructure for Basic Services (CRIBS) project phase II. This project aims to assess climate risks and vulnerabilities of primary healthcare facilities and primary schools, and to implement interventions that enhance their resilience. The consultant will facilitate consultative meetings, participate in relevant UNICEF and stakeholders’ meetings, conduct site visits for monitoring, and analyze evidence to produce high-quality reports and presentations. The consultant's work will directly contribute to the successful scaling of the CRIBS approach across several states in Nigeria, ensuring that the interventions are effectively implemented and that lessons learned are documented and shared.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Supporting project planning and monitoring to ensure that the CRIBS project is on track and meeting its objectives.
• Assisting in risk management by identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Coordinating and communicating with State and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and school/PHC management teams to facilitate the implementation of the project.
• Providing implementation support by guiding local teams and ensuring that interventions are executed effectively.
• Compiling progress reports, emerging issues, and recommended actions from the CRIBS team at Field Offices and the Country Office on a weekly basis.
• Developing a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and tools for tracking CRIBS progress.
• Producing quarterly analytical reports in the required format and sharing them with partners.
• Conducting field visits to programme states and LGAs to clarify issues, guide local teams, and accelerate progress, while developing comprehensive field mission reports that include pictures and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess an advanced degree in fields such as Construction Management, Development Studies, Economics, Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Engineering, Environment, Climate Change, or any related field. A minimum of 7 years of experience in climate-resilient infrastructure development in rural contexts is required. The candidate should have solid analytical and writing skills in English, with evidence of having conducted similar work at both national and sub-national levels. Relevant work experience may be considered as a substitute for a higher degree. Communication skills in Hausa language would be an added advantage, while fluency in English (both verbal and written) is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Construction Management, Development Studies, Economics, Public Health, Community Health, Public Administration, Engineering, Environment, Climate Change, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the CRIBS project and address the complexities of climate resilience in infrastructure development.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in climate-resilient infrastructure development, particularly in rural contexts. This experience should include a demonstrated ability to work on projects that assess climate risks and implement interventions to enhance resilience in primary healthcare facilities and schools. The candidate should also have a proven track record of analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and presentations based on evidence gathered during project implementation.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, both verbal and written. Additionally, communication skills in Hausa language would be considered an asset and an added advantage, as they would facilitate better engagement with local communities and stakeholders in Nigeria.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, and individuals engaged under this contract will not be considered staff members under the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies. Therefore, they will not be entitled to benefits such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage. The consultant will be responsible for determining their tax liabilities and ensuring that they have the necessary visa and health insurance for the duration of the contract. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. The selected candidate must also confirm their fully-vaccinated status against COVID-19 with a WHO-endorsed vaccine, unless they are working remotely and not expected to interact directly with UNICEF's program delivery locations.