The Position:
Liberia has a young population with 46% (2.4 million people) under the age of 19 years. Adolescents (10 to 19 years) constitute approximately 35.6% of the population. The young generation represents a powerful force that can drive the countryโs development agenda. Adolescents are at a time of tremendous physical, cognitive, and social change and require a range of support to thrive, ensure safe transition into adulthood, and adopt lifelong healthy behaviors that support their journey through education, learning, and skill development, free from violence, abuse, and all forms of exploitation. Adolescent girls often initiate sex at an early age, between 14 and 16 years, and 47% of sexually active adolescent girls who wish to use contraception do not use any modern method, and as a result, 32% of girls are already mothers by age 19. The high rate of teenage pregnancies contributes to lower educational attainment and a higher rate of school dropout amongst girls.
Pervasive poverty, limited access to sexual reproductive health and rights, including contraception, and prevalent harmful social and gender norms, coupled with the disconnect between laws and policies and their implementation, hamper adolescent girls from realizing their rights and potential.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) plays a crucial role in empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to make informed decisions about their sexuality and relationships.ย
With support from the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Ministry of Education carried out a series of activities that resulted in a significant reform of the National School Curriculum in 2019. The Ministry of Education successfully created a competency-based curriculum that enabled students to gain knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to promote positive behavioral change by integrating Sexuality Education into the curriculum across multiple subjects from Grades 1 to 12, especially in mathematics, social studies, integrated sciences, and biology, as part of enhancing the School Health programs of the Ministry of Education.ย
However, the implementation of CSE faces unique challenges and opportunities, including cultural sensitivities, resource constraints, and varying levels of understanding among stakeholders. The main challenges in delivering CSE in school settings include teachersโ insufficient training, lack of instructional materials, especially on sensitive topics like contraceptive methods, HIV/STIs, sexual violence, and pregnancy prevention, among others.
To address the pressing needs and challenges faced by adolescent girls, the Government of Liberia, in collaboration with UNFPA and UNICEF, and with support from the Embassy of Ireland, is implementing a joint programme to support adolescent girls through integrated and inclusive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and nutrition services. Central to the overall approach to improving teenage girls' capacity to make informed decisions is the implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in both in-school and out-of-school settings in the three project countiesย
The consultant will report to the Programme Specialist, Youth and Adolescents - Liberia.
ย
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.ย UNFPAโs strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to โbuild forward betterโ, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on womenโs and girlsโ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to assess the coverage, quality, and effectiveness of in-school Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) delivery in Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, and Rivercess counties.
The specific objectives include:
Assess and map out the current implementation of CSE delivery mechanisms for in and out of school adolescents and young people as prescribed by the Ministry of Education in the three counties. To assess the extent to which CSE is reaching targeted audiences, particularly in schools and communities in the three targeted counties, and identify the enablers and barriers to effective CSE implementation, including challenges related to teacher training, resource allocation, community acceptance, and policy support. To provide actionable recommendations for strengthening CSE programming, delivery in all three project counties.The consultant will:
Develop an inception report and a detailed work plan. Design data collection tools and identify sampling strategies. Conducting field visits in the three counties: Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, and Rivercess to map the availability and use of CSE teaching materials, identify the training needs of teachers and gaps in resources or infrastructure, and assess studentsโ and teachersโ understanding and acceptance of CSE. Recommendย significant actions for scaling up and sustaining CSE delivery Develop a county-specific implementation plan for the expansion of CSE. Present preliminary findings to UNFPA, UNICEF, and relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Finalize andย submit a comprehensive narrativeย assessment report as well as aย PowerPoint presentationThe consultant will deliver the following:
Inception Report (including methodology, tools, and detailed timeline) โ within 3 days of contract signing. Assessment Report โ including data analysis, key findings, and recommendations โ by the end of Week 3. Final Assessment Report โ incorporating feedback from stakeholders and including: Situation analysis Implementation gaps Training/materials needs Recommendations Validation Workshop -ย Presentation of the draft findings to key stakeholders for feedback and validation. County-specific rollout plan & Monitoring and evaluation framework (Annex to Final Report).Methodology:
The consultant will employ a mixed-methods approach, including both quantitative and qualitative techniques, to gather comprehensive data. The methodology will include:
Document Review: Analyze existing policies, curricula, training manuals, monitoring tools, and relevant reports. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Interview Ministry of Education officials, school administrators, teachers, county education officers, and development partners. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Conduct sessions with students, particularly adolescent girls, to gather their perspectives on CSE delivery. School Visits: Observe CSE classes (where applicable), review teaching materials, and assess the physical and learning environment.ย
Qualifications and Experience:ย
Education:ย ย
ย The consultant must meet the following criteria:
Masterโs degree in Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, or related fieldย Knowledge and Experience:ย
ย At least 5 years of experience in education, particularly in sexual and reproductive health or adolescent development programming Proven experience conducting assessments or evaluations in educational or SRHR settings. Strong understanding of Liberiaโs educational system and international CSE frameworks. Excellent research, analytical, and report-writing skills. Demonstrated ability to engage with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, community structures, and adolescents.Languages:ย
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local dialects is an asset.
Durationย and Location of the Consultancy
This consultancy is expected to be completed within 45 calendar days from the date of contract signing, with the following timeline:
Key Activities
Week 1: Inception meeting, desk review, and tool development Weeks 2 and 3: Field data collection in Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, and Rivercess Weeks 4 and 5: Data analysis and draft report preparation Week 6: Development of county-specific plan, review, and validation Week 7: Finalization and submission of Assessment Report.ย
Required Competencies:ย
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,ย
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย
Embracing cultural diversity,ย
Embracing change
ย Core Competencies:ย
Achieving results,
Being accountable,
Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
Thinking analytically and strategically,
Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
ย Payment Terms:
The consultant will be paid based on satisfactory completion of the deliverables.
Interested consultants should submit the following:
A detailed technical proposal that outlines the methodology and approach for conducting the assessment. A current CV detailing relevant qualifications and experienceUNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click hereย to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, ย and other administrative requirements.ย
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment processย