Consultant to Rapid Review and HCD Process for Out-of-School CSE Curriculum

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization that works across the Asia-Pacific region to ensure that adolescents and youth have access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) that is age-appropriate and relevant. Established to promote reproductive health and rights, UNFPA operates in numerous countries, focusing on empowering individuals and communities through education and health initiatives. The organization is committed to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and it employs a diverse workforce dedicated to these goals. UNFPA's mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. With a workforce that spans multiple countries and regions, UNFPA is a significant player in global health and development, working to improve the lives of millions of people.

Job Overview:
The consultancy role is designed to conduct a rapid review of existing out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) curriculum tailored for vulnerable youth in peri-urban areas. The consultant will lead a human-centered design process that actively involves vulnerable youth in refining the curriculum and delivery models to better meet their unique needs. This position requires a deep understanding of the challenges faced by out-of-school youth and the ability to create innovative educational solutions that are contextually relevant and evidence-based. The consultant will be responsible for assessing current educational efforts, identifying gaps, and proposing new content that aligns with the realities of the target population. The role emphasizes collaboration with youth to co-create educational materials that are engaging and effective, ensuring that the curriculum is not only informative but also empowering for young people.

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

• Leading a rapid review of the current out-of-school CSE curriculum to identify emerging needs and propose new content.
• Facilitating a human-centered or participatory learner-led design process with vulnerable youth to co-create and prototype curriculum modules and pedagogical approaches.
• Documenting the methodology and findings from the review and design process for adaptation and dissemination in other countries.
• Designing a comprehensive work plan that includes briefings, desk reviews, stakeholder interviews, and assessments of the existing program.
• Engaging with diverse out-of-school youth to map their experiences, needs, and preferred learning methods.
• Integrating new findings into a refined CSE curriculum that includes guidance for facilitators and community engagement strategies.
• Delivering a series of reports and presentations that outline the progress and outcomes of the consultancy, including an inception report, rapid review framework, draft curriculum modules, and final versions of all deliverables.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's level degree in Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, Psychology, or related interdisciplinary fields, with specific training in human-centered design. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in education, particularly in comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), gender issues, and youth development is required. The ideal candidate will have technical expertise in CSE curriculum development and familiarity with international guidelines. Experience working with vulnerable youth, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, is strongly preferred, along with a demonstrated ability to apply ethical frameworks and safeguarding protocols in community settings. Proficiency in human-centered design methodologies is essential, especially in low-resource contexts.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as Education, Public Health, Social Sciences, Psychology, or other interdisciplinary disciplines. Candidates should also have formal training in human-centered design, which is crucial for the participatory aspects of the consultancy.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the fields of education, comprehensive sexuality education, and youth development. Candidates should have a strong background in participatory approaches and human-centered design, with a proven track record of working with vulnerable youth populations. Experience in addressing issues related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, online safety, and gender-based violence is highly desirable.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly those relevant to the regions where the consultancy will be implemented.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to run from October 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and will be conducted remotely. The consultant will be compensated in two installments based on the successful completion of specific deliverables. The first installment, amounting to 50% of the total fee, will be paid upon acceptance of the first two deliverables, while the final installment will be paid upon acceptance of the last two deliverables. The consultant will report directly to the UNFPA APRO Technical Advisor for Adolescent and Youth and will be required to travel to one program country, with travel costs covered by UNFPA. The organization promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of various backgrounds.