Local Consultancy: To Support Consultative Input to South Africa’s National Strategy for Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy and its Adverse Effects

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and it plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 aims to accelerate progress towards the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on transformative results that include ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and harmful practices. UNFPA is committed to building a better future while addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services and rights.

Job Overview:
The position involves supporting the South African Government in developing a comprehensive National Strategy for Reducing Adolescent Pregnancy and Its Adverse Effects. The consultant will conduct qualitative consultations across South Africa to gather insights that will inform the strategy's development. This role requires a deep understanding of the social and health issues surrounding adolescent pregnancy, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and community leaders. The consultant will work closely with the strategy's lead writer to ensure that the consultations are evidence-based and reflect the realities faced by South Africans. The consultant's work will directly contribute to the drafting of a strategy that aims to reduce adolescent pregnancy and its associated challenges, thereby improving the health and well-being of young people in South Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Collaboration: Working with the lead writer to develop a sampling plan, discussion guide, and reporting template.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Scheduling and conducting interviews with government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders, and youth representatives, both in-person and remotely.
• Logistics & Coordination: Managing travel arrangements, interview schedules, and tracking progress throughout the project.
• Data Collection: Facilitating discussions and taking detailed notes during consultations, ensuring high-quality data collection.
• Technical Writing: Synthesizing findings into concise summaries that highlight barriers, enablers, and recommendations for the strategy.
• Deliverables: Completing an inception plan, conducting consultations, and submitting a final thematic report summarizing key insights from the consultations. The consultant will be expected to complete all tasks within the specified deadlines and maintain regular communication with the lead writer.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Social Sciences, Gender, Public Health, or a related field. They should have proven experience in qualitative research, particularly in public health and social development, with a focus on gender-based issues. Familiarity with the factors contributing to adolescent pregnancy in southern Africa is highly desirable. The ability to engage professionally with high-ranking government officials and empathetically with young people and community members is essential. Strong communication skills are required to effectively convey findings and recommendations.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Public Health, or a related area is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to conduct qualitative research and engage with diverse stakeholders effectively.

Experience:
The consultant should have significant experience in qualitative research, particularly in the areas of public health, social development, and gender issues. Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations in South Africa or similar contexts is highly advantageous. The ability to conduct interviews and focus group discussions with various stakeholders, including youth and marginalized communities, is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency in other official South African languages such as isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Sesotho is highly advantageous, as it will facilitate better communication with diverse communities and stakeholders during the consultations.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to last for a total of 15 days, with the consultant required to be based in South Africa. Domestic travel (both air and road) will be necessary for conducting interviews in 3-4 provinces, while interviews in other provinces will be conducted remotely. The consultant must have a valid driver's license to facilitate local travel. The consultant will be supervised directly by the lead writer, with overall supervision from the UNFPA Assistant Representative. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.