job
Consultant for Formative Research
Organization Plan InternationalLocation NigeriaType FULL TIMEPosted 19 May 2026Deadline 26 May 2026 ⚠️
Monitoring and EvaluationEducation
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Full Description
**About Plan International**
Plan International is a global development and humanitarian organisation dedicated to advancing children’s rights and achieving equality for girls. With over 80 years of experience, we work alongside children, young people, communities, and partners to address the root causes of inequality and challenges facing vulnerable children. We operate in over 75 countries, combining service delivery with evidence-based advocacy to drive change at local, national, and global levels.
Plan International Nigeria, established in 2014, focuses on empowering girls and young women through gender-transformative programs and strategic interventions. Our Country Strategy (FY2024-2028), titled "All Girls Standing Strong Creating Global Change," aims to ensure 20 million girls in Nigeria can learn, lead, decide, and thrive.
We prioritize inclusive and quality education, youth employment and entrepreneurship, sexual and reproductive health and rights, nutrition, early childhood development, and protection from violence.
**2.0 Context and Background**
Nigeria faces a profound education crisis. According to UNICEF, the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has reached 18.95 million, the highest figure globally. Entrenched poverty, armed conflict (especially in northern Nigeria), insecurity, and deeply rooted socio-cultural barriers, including early marriage, child labour, and gender discrimination, have left millions of school-aged children, particularly girls and children with disabilities, excluded from the formal education system. Northern Nigeria is disproportionately affected: UNICEF has noted that states such as Kano, Sokoto, and Jigawa together account for approximately 16% of Nigeria's out-of-school children. This educational exclusion carries severe consequences: low literacy and numeracy skills, diminished livelihood opportunities, and a perpetuating cycle of poverty and inequality..
In response, the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) was introduced as a nationally approved accelerated learning curriculum developed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) and endorsed by the National Council on Education in 2019. ABEP compresses the standard basic education curriculum into three levels covering five core subjects, equipping over-age and out-of-school learners (approximately ages 10–18) with foundational literacy, numeracy, life skills, and civic education competencies needed to re-engage with formal schooling or vocational training. Through a condensed, accelerated learning curriculum, ABEP enables learners to complete primary-level education in a shorter timeframe and supports their transition into formal schooling or vocational training pathways.
The European Union-funded project "Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North Western Nigeria" is implemented under a consortium led by Plan International, Save the Children International (SCI), and other National Organizations. The project operates in Jigawa, Kano, and Sokoto States and targets approximately 324,000 out-of-school children and youth, 194,400 females and 129,600 males, including an estimated 32,400 persons with disabilities (PwDs), who have either dropped out or never enrolled in formal school.
**2.1 Project Specific Objectives**
- To increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative/ accelerated education programmes for 324,000 young girls and boys (194,400F & 129,600M, 32,400 persons with disabilities (PwDs)) and support their transition into formal or non-formal education.
- To increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education and green jobs opportunities for 60,000 youth (36,000F & 24,000M, 6,000 PwDs).
- To advocate for and strengthen the capacities of education and community stakeholders on peaceful coexistence, safe schools and girls’ empowerment.
**2.2 Study Objectives and Key Questions**
The overall objective of this consultancy is to assess and generate formative insights on the role and effectiveness of the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) in improving educational access and foundational skills (literacy and numeracy) for out-of-school children in Sokoto, Kano, and Jigawa States, and to develop a policy brief that synthesises key findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations for policymakers and relevant stakeholders.
***2.2.1 Specific Objectives:***
- Examine how ABEP is reducing barriers for out-of-school children to enrol and remain in education. Determine the profile of children reached (gender, age, socio-economic background, disability status) and identify factors enabling or hindering their participation (e.g. community mobilisation, family support, security, costs).
- Assess the extent to which ABEP learners are acquiring foundational literacy and numeracy skills through the accelerated curriculum. Identify strengths and gaps in learning achievement at different A
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