Consultant for Comprehensive Sexuality Education Evaluation

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, 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 approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, and it plays a crucial role in addressing global population issues and reproductive health challenges.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be tasked with conducting a comprehensive evaluation of UNFPA's Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programs in the Arab region, focusing on their performance from 2021 to 202

• This evaluation aims to assess the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of these programs while providing actionable recommendations for future initiatives. The consultant will work closely with the Youth team, under the supervision of the Youth Advisor, and will coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation unit as well as gender and reproductive health units. The evaluation will cover various aspects of CSE, including in-school, out-of-school, and digital education, and will analyze the lessons learned and contextual realities to enhance future programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's primary responsibilities will include conducting a literature review of existing CSE initiatives in the Arab region, evaluating the UNFPA ASRO CSE theory of change, identifying successful practices and challenges in CSE programming, and assessing the relevance and coherence of current programs with national strategies. The consultant will also be responsible for developing an inception report, conducting data collection through virtual meetings and surveys, drafting the evaluation report, and facilitating a validation workshop. The evaluation will involve analyzing the effectiveness of CSE programs in improving knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among young people, as well as addressing barriers to CSE delivery and uptake.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or social sciences. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in related fields is required, along with previous experience in conducting evaluations of projects or programs. Familiarity with UN or INGO work on sexual and reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, or youth issues is considered an asset. Experience focusing on CSE aspects is also advantageous. Excellent analytical and writing skills are essential, as well as a strong command of English and Arabic, both oral and written.

Educational Background:
A postgraduate degree in medical sciences, public health, education sciences, or any social sciences degree is required for this consultancy position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of sexual and reproductive health and education, as well as for conducting thorough evaluations of existing programs.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in fields such as medical, social sciences, or education sciences. Previous experience in conducting evaluations of projects and programs is essential, as is experience working with UN or international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) on sexual and reproductive health, adolescent sexual and reproductive health, or youth-related initiatives. Experience specifically focusing on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is considered a significant asset.

Languages:
A very good command of both English and Arabic is mandatory for this position, encompassing both oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effectively engaging with stakeholders and producing high-quality evaluation reports.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy will be conducted remotely, allowing for flexibility in the evaluation process. The consultant will be expected to adhere to ethical considerations throughout the evaluation, including informed consent and confidentiality. The evaluation will involve a comprehensive desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, virtual surveys, and case study analyses. The final evaluation report should not exceed 30 pages, excluding annexes, and will include a dedicated section on strategic directions for future CSE programming in the Arab States region. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals of various backgrounds.