How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Introduction and Context:
UNFPA and UNESCO, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE), seek the services of a consultant service provider to update and revise the protocol on the management and reporting of sexual abuse and harassment in schools.
The department developed the Protocols on Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Schools in 2018. The purpose of the protocol is to provide schools, districts and provinces with standard operating procedures for addressing allegations, and to specifically detail how schools must respond to reports of sexual
abuse and harassment perpetrated against learners, educators and other school staff. Since then, there has been continuous capacitation of the understanding and implementation of these protocols to the different levels within the system. For DBE, this work continues as one of its contributions into the bigger picture of violence prevention in the country. UNESCO and UNFPA support the DBE to realize safe, healthy and inclusive school environments thus provides support in the DBE programmes addressing SRGBV.
Job Purpose:
The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance to the Department of Education with the revision of the protocol on management and reporting of sexual abuse and harassment in schools.
Scope of Work
Activities and Tasks:
UNESCO and UNFPA will jointly provide the administrative and logistical support necessary for implementing the project to undertake the following activities:
1.Gathering and consolidation of written input from the following structures into the draft of the protocol:
Director-Generals of South African Police Service, Department of Social Development, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Prosecuting Authority and Department of Health Chief Executive Officers of South African Council for Educators, Commission for Gender Equality as well SA Human Rights Commission.2.Make presentations to District Directors, CEM & HEDCOM and consolidate input received from all the above internal Basic Education structures into the finalisation of the document.
3. Lead the facilitation and presentation during the national stakeholders’ consultation with various Government Departments, Civil Society’s Organisations, Unions, SGB Associations, Research Institutions and Academics. Consolidate all input gathered from the consultation into the document.
Develop a comprehensive one-day programme for consultative workshops with provincial and district officials from Education Department. The programme should include step by step practical application of the protocol, fusing low charts and case studies of real-life or simulated situation on issues of sexual abuse and harassment in schools. Consolidate all input gathered from the consultation into the final draft. Submit final protocol with flow charts, implementation guide and relevant formsDeliverables:
1. Consolidated final drafts of protocols, including;
Literature review. Summary reports of interviews with key informants. Flow charts. Implementation plan/guide (indicating roles and responsibilities of all key stakeholders involved, communication, and referrals). Presentation of the reviewed and updated protocol.2. All deliverables should be presented in a format agreed upon by Basic Education, UNESCO, and UNFPA.
Duration of assignment:
The duration of the project assignment is scheduled to start from 01 June 2025 to 04 August 2025.
Place where services are to be delivered:
Consultancy will be home-based, and the consultant may be expected to travel to implementation sites.
Required expertise and qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field with a focus on adolescent and youth health. A PhD is an added advantage. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in programme evaluation, public health strategy, youth development, or related fields. Proven experience in conducting multi-stakeholder assessments of national or provincial level strategies, especially in HIV, STI, TB prevention, and youth-focused programmes. Strong track record of participatory research methods with adolescents and young people, including facilitating youth consultations, co-creation workshops, and use of inclusive engagement tools. Demonstrated understanding of South Africa’s public health policy landscape, national strategic plans, and relevant youth-focused initiatives (e.g., She Conquers, NSP on HIV, TB & STIs). Experience in conducting SWOT analyses and applying other strategic assessment tools to evaluate programme effectiveness and alignment. Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, including experience designing and implementing surveys, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews. Excellent report writing, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations. Familiarity with the social and cultural contexts affecting adolescents and young people in South Africa, including gender, socio-economic, and traditional factors. Working knowledge of official South African languages, with the ability to engage meaningfully with diverse youth populations. Previous collaboration with UN agencies or government departments at the national or provincial level on youth or public health initiatives is highly desirable.UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.