About the Role
UNOPS is looking for a skilled Learning and Scaling Lead to support the Country Lead in designing and implementing a robust learning, scaling, and evidence synthesis agenda. This role plays a critical part in translating programme evidence into operational insights and policy recommendations that inform decision-making across government, donors, and implementing partners in Nigeria's development sector.
As a global operational arm of the United Nations, UNOPS provides project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to governments and international organizations. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape evidence-based policy and scale innovative outcomes-based financing approaches within the education and skills-for-employment sectors.
Key Responsibilities- Support the design of a Learning, Scaling and Evidence Synthesis Agenda, including learning priorities, research questions, and validation mechanisms
- Develop tools and systems to track progress against learning and scaling milestones
- Design the programme's knowledge management architecture, including repositories, reporting templates, and documentation standards
- Collect data and generate evidence on programme effectiveness, surfacing key lessons learned
- Facilitate cross-partner knowledge exchange through peer-learning workshops and documentation of adaptive practices
- Coordinate the drafting of reports consolidating evidence into actionable recommendations for strategic decision-making
- Lead dissemination of key evidence through sector-wide dialogues and coordination platforms
- Analyze how outcomes-based contracts influence organizational practices and system collaboration
- Develop and quality-assure knowledge products, including learning briefs, policy notes, case studies, and donor-ready summaries
- Contribute evidence-based inputs to national policy discussions and technical working groups
- Build capacity of government counterparts on outcomes-based financing and use of data in decision-making
- Design and facilitate learning forums, convening stakeholders from government, civil society, donors, and research institutions
- Capture and disseminate lessons learned across districts and implementation sites
- Bachelor's degree in International Development, Public Policy, Education, Economics, Political Science, or a related field (required)
- Master's degree in a related field is an asset and may substitute for part of the required experience
- Minimum of 7 years' experience in education, skills-for-employment, development, and/or policy programs
- Experience working with national and/or sub-national governments, preferably in education or development sectors
- Experience in education and/or skills-for-employment policy, systems strengthening, and program scale-up pathways
- Experience with innovative financing mechanisms, particularly outcomes funds, is desirable
- Experience in performance management frameworks or large donor-funded programs is an advantage
- Proven track record of producing high-quality analytical reports, policy briefs, and evidence-based recommendations
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful development work with a globally recognized UN organization, working alongside government bodies, donors, and implementing partners to drive meaningful, evidence-based change in Nigeria's education and skills-for-employment landscape.