National Consultant – Policy and Programme Landscaping Analysis for BEP for Maternal Nutrition

ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF works with governments, communities and development partners to improve the health, nutrition, education and protection of children and women.

UNICEF Nigeria, working in coordination with the World Food Programme, is conducting a national assessment of balanced energy-protein supplementation policies and programmes for maternal nutrition.

JOB DETAILS

• Job Title: National Consultant – Policy and Programme Landscaping Analysis for BEP for Maternal Nutrition
• Job Number: 594695
• Location: Abuja, Nigeria
• Work Arrangement: Home-based
• Travel Requirement: Travel across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones
• Contract Type: National Consultancy
• Contract Duration: 4.4 months
• Functional Area: Nutrition
• Application Deadline: 30 July 2026 at 11:55 PM

JOB SUMMARY

The consultant will conduct a comprehensive policy and programme landscaping assessment for balanced energy-protein supplementation in Nigeria.

The assessment will cover consumers, programmes, policies, government institutions and other stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones.

The consultant will develop a national roadmap for scaling up balanced energy-protein programming to improve maternal nutrition outcomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review existing national policies, strategies and guidelines relating to maternal nutrition.
• Assess how balanced energy-protein supplementation is addressed in national nutrition programmes.
• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant programme and policy documents.
• Adapt and apply the global BEP landscaping-assessment tool in Nigeria.
• Develop appropriate research protocols, data-collection tools and assessment plans.
• Map government institutions, programmes and partners involved in maternal nutrition.
• Identify existing balanced energy-protein interventions across Nigeria.
• Examine the coverage, targeting, delivery models and effectiveness of current programmes.
• Conduct consultations with government agencies, development partners, implementers and community representatives.
• Coordinate key-informant interviews and stakeholder discussions.
• Collect information from the six geopolitical zones.
• Assess consumer knowledge, perceptions, preferences and barriers to supplementation.
• Review programme capacity, coordination arrangements and implementation challenges.
• Analyse policy and programme gaps affecting maternal-nutrition services.
• Identify opportunities for integrating BEP into existing health and nutrition platforms.
• Facilitate validation meetings with government and other stakeholders.
• Prepare a comprehensive national landscaping report.
• Develop practical recommendations for strengthening maternal-nutrition policies and programmes.
• Develop a national roadmap for scaling up balanced energy-protein supplementation.
• Prepare presentations, policy briefs and technical summaries.
• Coordinate closely with UNICEF, WFP and designated government institutions.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback into final deliverables.
• Submit all agreed deliverables within the established consultancy period.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Maternal and Child Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Food Science or another relevant discipline.
• Additional training in research, programme evaluation or maternal nutrition will be an advantage.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated professional experience in maternal nutrition or public-health programming.
• Experience conducting policy and programme reviews.
• Experience undertaking national or multi-state assessments.
• Experience designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
• Experience consulting with government agencies and development partners.
• Experience producing technical reports, roadmaps and policy recommendations.
• Knowledge of balanced energy-protein supplementation is desirable.
• Previous experience with UNICEF, WFP or another international organisation is an advantage.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria’s health and nutrition systems is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong policy-analysis and programme-assessment skills.
• Strong research and data-analysis skills.
• Ability to conduct interviews and stakeholder consultations.
• Excellent technical and report-writing skills.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations.
• Ability to work independently and manage field assignments.
• Strong understanding of maternal-nutrition programming.
• Ability to coordinate with government and development partners.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Nigerian languages will be an advantage.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Inception report and detailed methodology.
• Desk-review report.
• Adapted research and data-collection tools.
• Stakeholder and programme mapping.
• Assessment findings covering the six geopolitical zones.
• Draft national policy and programme landscaping report.
• Stakeholder-validation presentation.
• Final assessment report.
• National roadmap for scaling up balanced energy-protein programming.
• Policy briefs and other knowledge products.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified Nigerian candidates should apply through the official UNICEF Careers Portal using the application link provided above.

Applicants may be required to submit:

• Updated CV
• Cover letter
• Technical proposal
• Financial proposal
• Examples of similar assignments
• Contact information for professional referees

Applicants should review the complete Terms of Reference before submitting their application.

Application Deadline: 30 July 2026 at 11:55 PM.