Development of a Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Communication Toolkit and Community Engagement Package

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 4,000 employees. The organization focuses on four interconnected outcomes: ending unmet needs for family planning, preventing maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence, and adapting to demographic changes through evidence-based policies. UNFPA's mission is to ensure that every individual has the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health and to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization is committed to ethical standards and principles, including transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights, and seeks to recruit staff who embody these values and can deliver high-impact results in a rapidly changing global environment.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to develop a comprehensive Youth, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (YPS) Communication Toolkit and Community Engagement Package tailored for the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and various stakeholders involved in the YPS agenda in Nigeria. This toolkit will serve as a practical resource to translate the YPS agenda into clear, adaptable, and culturally relevant messages that promote youth participation, protection, and peaceful coexistence. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a thorough review of existing YPS documents, performing a communication needs analysis, and developing a full toolkit that includes standard messages, audience segmentation, media products, and community engagement strategies. The toolkit will be designed to support coordinated rollout through various channels, including peer educators, media platforms, and community feedback systems, ensuring that it is inclusive and accessible to all youth demographics, particularly marginalized groups.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including: reviewing existing YPS documents and SAFEYOPS programme materials; conducting a rapid communication needs and audience analysis; developing a comprehensive YPS Communication Toolkit with practical messages and resources; creating standardized message banks for key YPS pillars; developing a peer educator and youth messenger package; creating media engagement tools; and formulating a community engagement methodology. The consultant will also support message testing and validation with stakeholders, facilitate technical validation sessions, and prepare final versions of the toolkit for national and state-level rollout. The consultant will ensure that all outputs adhere to the guiding principles of human rights, gender responsiveness, and conflict sensitivity.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Communications, Social and Behaviour Change Communication, Development Communication, Peace and Conflict Studies, Youth Development, Public Policy, Education, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or a related field. Additional certifications in SBC, peacebuilding communication, or conflict-sensitive programming are advantageous. The consultant should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in communication strategy, toolkit development, and youth engagement, with a strong understanding of the YPS agenda and experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government and civil society organizations. Excellent writing, editing, and facilitation skills are essential, along with the ability to translate complex content into accessible messages.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Communications, Social Sciences, or Peace and Conflict Studies is required. Additional training or certifications in areas related to social and behavior change communication, media development, or youth engagement will be considered an asset. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in communication strategies and methodologies relevant to youth and community engagement.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in communication strategy development, toolkit creation, and youth engagement initiatives. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in developing communication materials, conducting audience analysis, and facilitating participatory processes with youth. Experience in peacebuilding communication and working with governmental and non-governmental organizations in Nigeria or similar contexts is highly desirable. The consultant should also have a proven track record of producing user-friendly communication materials that are accessible and culturally appropriate for diverse audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. The ability to support or coordinate the adaptation of materials into Nigerian local languages is considered an advantage, as it enhances the toolkit's accessibility and relevance to various youth demographics across the country.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is a full-time position with a contract duration of 40 working days over eight weeks. The work will be conducted remotely, with potential in-person meetings in Abuja and selected pilot states, subject to security clearance and UN travel procedures. The consultant will be compensated based on the acceptance of deliverables at various milestones throughout the consultancy period. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including women and underrepresented groups. The organization adheres to strict ethical standards and safeguarding requirements, ensuring that all communication materials are developed with sensitivity to the needs and rights of young people and vulnerable populations.