National Consultant for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Manual Revision

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is a leading global organization that promotes the right of every woman, man, and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization focuses on reproductive health, gender equality, and youth empowerment, working closely with governments and partners to improve the lives of individuals and communities.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to revise, adapt, and simplify the existing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Facilitator’s Manual to ensure it is accessible, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and highly effective for out-of-school children and young people with no or limited literacy skills. The consultant will be responsible for maintaining participatory, interactive, and visually driven learning modules, ensuring alignment with national guidelines and international standards for CSE, and equipping community facilitators with clear instructions on delivering CSE concepts to non-literate or semi-literate audiences. This role is crucial in empowering young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their sexuality and relationships, thereby contributing to their overall development and well-being.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Content Adaptation: Review the existing CSE manual and identify areas that require modification or adaptation for low-literacy learners.
• Development of Visual and Oral Tools: Maintain and/or design and integrate alternative pedagogical tools, including visual aids (illustrations, flashcards), storytelling prompts, interactive games, and role-playing scenarios.
• Facilitator Guidance: Draft clear, jargon-free instructions for facilitators, including guidance on managing sensitive topics, establishing safe spaces, and assessing participant understanding without written tests.
• Addressing Vulnerabilities: Ensure the content directly addresses the unique vulnerabilities of out-of-school youth, including gender-based violence (GBV), early marriage, substance abuse, and access to youth-friendly reproductive health services.
• Validation: Co-facilitate a validation workshop with key stakeholders to review the draft manual and incorporate final feedback. The consultant is expected to produce deliverables such as an inception report, needs assessment report, first draft of the revised manual, validation workshop report, and the final CSE Facilitator’s Manual.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess a Master’s degree in Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in developing curricula, training manuals, or educational materials is required. The consultant should demonstrate expertise in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and youth empowerment. Proven experience in designing educational programs for out-of-school youth, vulnerable populations, or individuals with low/no literacy skills is essential. The consultant should also have experience applying participatory methodologies and developing visual/interactive learning aids, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of local dialects is considered an asset, as is the ability to translate complex health and social concepts into simple, accessible, and culturally sensitive language.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or a related discipline. This advanced degree is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively revise and adapt the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Facilitator’s Manual.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in developing curricula, training manuals, or educational materials. This experience should include a demonstrated expertise in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and youth empowerment. The consultant should also have proven experience in designing educational programs specifically targeted at out-of-school youth and vulnerable populations, as well as individuals with low or no literacy skills. Experience in applying participatory methodologies and developing visual or interactive learning aids is also necessary.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Additionally, knowledge of local dialects is considered an asset, as it can enhance the consultant's ability to communicate effectively with the target audience and facilitate understanding of the content being delivered.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be completed within 60 calendar days of the contract signing date. The consultant will be required to travel to various parts of Liberia to collect data and engage with stakeholders. Payments will be made against the outlined deliverables, with 20% upon submission and approval of the inception report, 35% upon submission and approval of the needs assessment/consultation report, first draft of the revised manual, and validation workshop report, and 45% upon submission and approval of the final CSE Facilitator’s Manual. UNFPA will provide relevant documents, administrative support, and stakeholder coordination, while the consultant will need to provide their own equipment.