SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT Job at UNICEF

UNICEF CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY

NATIONAL CONSULTANT, ASWA III SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

JOB NO: 596032

ORGANIZATION: UNICEF

CONTRACT TYPE: CONSULTANT

DUTY STATION: ABUJA, NIGERIA

WORK ARRANGEMENT: REMOTE + TRAVEL

CONTRACT DURATION: 6 MONTHS

CATEGORY: WASH WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 14 OCTOBER 2026

ABOUT THE CONSULTANCY

UNICEF is seeking a National Consultant to support the ASWA III programme through systems strengthening, knowledge management, evidence generation, sustainability planning and learning.

The consultant will document promising practices from ASWA III, strengthen systems for generating evidence on WASH impacts across health and education outcomes, support state governments to advance sustainability plans and provide technical support to the Federal Government on relevant water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives.

KEY ASSIGNMENT AREAS

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

The consultant will develop four knowledge products documenting progress and lessons around:

1. Climate-resilient WASH.
2. Sustainability of WASH services.
3. Gender-transformative WASH.
4. Programme implementation and learning.

EVIDENCE AND DATA SYSTEMS

The consultant will establish indicators and support the collection and analysis of baseline 2024, 2025 and 2026 data on key health and education outcomes related to WASH.

The assessment will cover targeted LGAs and communities under ASWA III, including:

1. Lere LGA, Kaduna State.
2. Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State.
3. Shelleng LGA, Adamawa State.
4. Ganye LGA, Adamawa State.

The consultant will work with routine government monitoring systems to strengthen evidence generation and inform programme learning.

STATE SUSTAINABILITY PLANS

The consultant will support state governments to advance and institutionalize priority actions identified in state sustainability plans.

The role will also contribute to federal government efforts to develop concrete activities responding to the 2021 SWSC for implementation from January 2026 to 2027.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND HOSI SUPPORT

The consultant will support federal government engagement and initiatives related to HOSI, including:

1. Preparations for the UN Water Conference scheduled for December 2026.
2. Implementation and documentation of 2 to 3 priority actions from the Nigerian Youth-Government Collaborative Work Plan following the Kigali symposium.
3. Finalization and implementation of the Nigeria Water Compact.

LEARNING AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

The consultancy will also provide a learning and adaptive management function.

The consultant will generate actionable recommendations to:

1. Strengthen programme implementation.
2. Improve programme effectiveness.
3. Address implementation challenges.
4. Enhance sustainability of ASWA III.
5. Support learning during the remaining programme period and beyond.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Applicants must possess an advanced university degree Master’s or higher in one or more relevant fields, including:

1. Public Health.
2. Community Health.
3. Public Administration.
4. Social Sciences.
5. WASH Engineering.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation.
7. Other closely related disciplines relevant to the assignment.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Applicants should have:

1. At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in WASH and public health.
2. Demonstrated experience supporting high-level government engagements for international conferences and meetings.
3. Proven expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning MEL.
4. Experience designing and implementing data management and data collection tools.
5. A strong track record of using evidence and analysis to inform programme design, strategy development and policy recommendations.
6. Experience in knowledge management and quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
7. Demonstrated knowledge and experience supporting sustainability initiatives for WASH services.
8. Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and community stakeholders, particularly in low-resource or development settings.
9. Excellent facilitation, stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
10. Strong analytical, synthesis and report-writing skills.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Applicants should demonstrate:

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

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

English: Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Hausa or other relevant local languages in Kaduna and Adamawa: Working knowledge is a strong advantage.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

Experience working in Northern Nigeria, particularly Kaduna and/or Adamawa States, is desirable.

Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and sensitivity to local contexts are also expected.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Qualified candidates should submit the following through the UNICEF Talent Management System TMS:

1. Updated TMS profile and curriculum vitae CV.
2. Cover letter.
3. Separate financial proposal using the prescribed UNICEF financial proposal template.
4. Detailed technical proposal outlining the proposed approach, methodology and timelines.

IMPORTANT: Applications submitted without a technical proposal will not be considered.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

14 OCTOBER 2026

The vacancy was advertised on 1 October 2026.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the official UNICEF Careers portal:

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

IMPORTANT NOTICE

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection or hiring processes.

Applicants should not provide bank account information to anyone claiming to represent UNICEF during the recruitment process.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage.

Selected candidates will be subject to reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.