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International - only Consultancy on strengthening cholera preparedness, prevention and evidence-based WASH planning following the 2026 outbreak Nigeria, Maiduguri (remote) 4 months #596579

Nigeria·Posted today

Full job description

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to health

The purpose of this consultancy is to consolidate lessons from the 2026 cholera response and strengthen evidence-based WASH planning for cholera prevention, preparedness and risk reduction in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. The assignment will assess recurrent cholera risks, identify and prioritize strategic WASH investments, and inform government-led preparedness and coordination arrangements to mitigate future outbreaks. In the context of the transition of WASH Cluster coordination functions to government, the consultancy will define institutional roles and responsibilities, activation triggers and minimum operational capacities required for government-led cholera coordination, and propose a phased, actionable plan to address identified capacity gaps.

How can you make a difference?

Work Package 1: After-Action Review (AAR)

Conduct an After-Action Review of the 2026 cholera response in Borno and Yobe States, adapting WHO AAR methodology. Through document reviews and stakeholder consultations, assess preparedness, coordination, surveillance, WASH interventions including CATI, resource mobilization, operational challenges and intersectoral collaboration. Identify lessons learned, good practices and priority improvements.

Expected output: AAR report with key findings, lessons learned and prioritized recommendations, including responsible institutions and indicative timelines.

Work Package 2: Cholera Hotspot Mapping and Risk Analysis

Apply the GTFCC Priority Areas for Multisectoral Interventions (PAMI) methodology to historical cholera surveillance data to identify priority hotspots in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. Supplement the analysis with WASH, population and environmental risk data where available, including finer-scale analysis at ward or settlement level where feasible. Validate findings with government and partners and identify priority WASH actions for selected high-risk areas.

Expected output: Validated hotspot analysis, maps and concise risk profiles identifying priority locations and WASH prevention needs.

Work Package 3: WASH Prevention and Investment Framework

Develop a prioritized WASH prevention and investment framework informed by the AAR and hotspot analysis. Identify immediate preparedness actions and phased investments in water supply, water quality, sanitation and other relevant interventions, considering epidemiological risk, feasibility and sustainability. Include indicative costs, institutional responsibilities and capacity-strengthening priorities where feasible.

Expected output: Prioritized WASH prevention and investment framework with phased actions, indicative costs and institutional responsibilities.

Work Package 4: Government-Led Preparedness and Coordination Transition

Assess existing cholera preparedness and coordination arrangements and support government authorities in defining institutional roles, minimum operational capacities, early-warning and response activation triggers, information-sharing processes and coordination responsibilities. Develop and validate a phased transition roadmap that builds on existing government structures as WASH Cluster functions transition to government leadership.

Expected output: Validated government-led preparedness and coordination transition package, including institutional roles, activation triggers, capacity priorities and implementation roadmap.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToR_ext_TMC0007809.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

Education:
• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or higher) in Epidemiology, Public Health, Environmental Health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), or a closely related field.

Work Experience:
• Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience including:
· Cholera epidemiology.
· Water and sanitation programmes.
· Disease surveillance.
· Public health analytics.
· Humanitarian and development settings

Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, including technical report writing, stakeholder engagement and group facilitation.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills:
• Strong technical knowledge of cholera epidemiology, prevention, preparedness and response, particularly WASH interventions.
• Expertise in cholera surveillance data analysis, hotspot mapping and interpretation of epidemiological and environmental risk factors.
• Knowledge of WHO After-Action Review methodologies and GTFCC guidance on cholera prevention and control.
• Expertise in WASH programme planning, investment prioritization, indicative costing and risk-informed interventions.
• Understanding of government-led emergency preparedness, multisectoral coordination and institutional capacity strengthening.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, stakeholder consultation and facilitation skills.

Desirables:
• Previous experience working in Nigeria or similar cholera-affected humanitarian settings.
• Experience analyzing cholera surveillance data, particularly NCDC datasets.
• Demonstrated experience applying GTFCC hotspot identification and Priority Areas for Multisectoral Interventions (PAMI) methodologies.
• Experience supporting the development or implementation of National Cholera Plans and multisectoral cholera prevention strategies.
• Experience in WASH investment planning, indicative costing and resource mobilization.
• Familiarity with government-led emergency preparedness, coordination mechanisms and humanitarian coordination transitions

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)

Cover letter demonstrating understanding of the assignment and its objectives

A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template) Financial proposal templateTMC0007809.docx

A detailed technical proposal:
- A proposed methodology covering the four workstreams: After-Action Review, cholera hotspot analysis, WASH prevention and investment planning, and government-led coordination transition.
- A detailed workplan outlining key activities, deliverables and timelines aligned with the TOR.
- At least one sample of previous comparable work demonstrating relevant analytical and technical capabilities.

Remarks: If the TOR or financial proposal documents are not downloadable on certain recruitment platforms, please visit our official page Vacancies | UNICEF Careers.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

Advertised: 26 Oct 2026 W. Central Africa Standard Time
Deadline: 01 Nov 2026 W. Central Africa Standard Time

Listing sourced from UNICEF careers. Applications are handled entirely by the employer.