O3 PLUS Regional Consultant

Contract

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**OVERVIEW** ------------ Parent Sector : Field Office Duty Station: Harare Classification of duty station: \[\[filter12\]\] Standard Duration of Assignement : \[\[filter13\]\] Job Family: Education Type of contract : Non Staff Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 7/3/2024 UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism **OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST** ----------------------------------------- In 2021, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), launched the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future PLUS (O3 PLUS) project in Zambia and Zimbabwe. With additional support from the governments of Sweden, Norway, and France, the O3 PLUS project expanded to four more countries in the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region: Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Uganda. The O3 PLUS project builds on and extends the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) programme. Launched in 2018, the O3 programme has grown to become the largest comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programme in Africa. The programme has been implemented across 33 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and aims to improve sexual and reproductive health, gender, and education outcomes for young people. Long Description ---------------- As a complement to the O3, the O3 PLUS edition focuses specifically on the higher and tertiary education cohort. The project aims to empower students in 38 higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs) across six project countries to achieve positive health, education, and gender equality outcomes. The project is aligned with UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy 2022-2029 (C/4) and Programme and Budget (C/5) notably; it directly responds to the organization’s two global priorities – Africa and gender equality. Working closely with regional structures, national ministries, particularly health and education, HTEIs, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and young people, the project seeks to achieve a sustained reduction of new HIV infections, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence (GBV) through the promotion of innovation to access comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. The project is building capacities to integrate gender both as a key concept and as a cross-cutting issue, ensuring a gender transformative approach is prevalent throughout. O3 PLUS seeks to transform gender norms and attitudes of students, and challenge rigid notions of masculinity. Long Description ---------------- Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNESCO Education for Health and Well-being (EHW) Team Leader, the consultant will work with regional and national colleagues to deliver on the following tasks: ii. Tasks 1. **Oversee the O3 PLUS project programming and implementation at regional level and provide technical guidance to NPOs with regards to the implementation of the O3 PLUS project** in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and Uganda. In particular provide technical support for the below: 1. Key documentation submitted by NPOs (concept notes, policies, training materials, CSE modules) 2. Roll-out of CSE mobile apps (Future+, OwnU, Buzzer, Yamba) and launch of the regional competition to popularize the mobile apps. 3. Development and implementation of the Safer Campuses campaign 2. **Support quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the O3 PLUS project in ESA.** 1. Prepare the annual O3 PLUS report to be submitted to SDC. 2. Support the O3 PLUS mid-term evaluation conducted across the six O3 PLUS participating countries. 3. Contribute to the strategic planning and annual review process for the O3 and O3 PLUS programmes. Support the development of the concept note and agenda of the annual review meeting. Long Description ---------------- **3. Enhance evidence-building and knowledge sharing between countries participating in the O3 PLUS project.** 1. Establish a UNITWIN network gathering HTEIs participating in the O3 PLUS project in Zambia and Zimbabwe. 2. Organize at least one virtual skill share meeting to share O3 PLUS project resources /lessons learned/successes. 3. Support the research on GBV in HTEIs in collaboration with HQ and IESALC. 4. Support SDC to conduct research on provision and utilization of SRHR services in HTEIs. 5. Based on the research conducted by UNESCO, support the EHW team’s engagement at the International AIDS Conference and other research fora. **4. Support budget monitoring and resource mobilization for Comprehensive Sexuality Education and SRHR projects in East and Southern Africa.** 1. Support monitoring of O3 PLUS project expenditure in line with the approved budget. 2. Secure in-kind contribution reports from O3 PLUS project countries. 3. Identify funding opportunities / linkages with other platforms working with HTEIs and support the development of EHW project/grant proposals, including the development of results assessment frameworks (log frames) where need be. Short Description ----------------- **Milestone deliverables** **Timeframe** 1. **Technical assistance provided for O3 PLUS project programming and implementation** 1. Technical input provided on key documentation submitted by NPOs 2. Regional competition to popularize the mobile apps launched. 3. Safer Campuses campaign launched at regional level March – August 2024 July 2024 July 2024 **2. Quality monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the O3 PLUS project in ESA** 1. O3 PLUS 2023 annual narrative report submitted to SDC. 2. O3 PLUS mid-term evaluation completed. 3. O3 PLUS Annual review meeting conducted March 2024 June 2024 June 2024 **3. Evidence-building and knowledge sharing between countries participating in the O3 PLUS project enhanced.** 1. Application for UNITWIN network submitted 2. One virtual skill share meeting to share O3 PLUS project resources /lessons learned/successes organized. 3. Technical input provided on key deliverables submitted for the research on GBV in HTEIs in collaboration with HQ and IESALC support 4. Technical input provided on key deliverables submitted for SDC research on provision and utilization of SRHR services in HTEIs. 5. Supported EHW engagement at the International AIDS Conference. a. April 2024 b. May 2024 c. March – August. 2024 d. March – May 2024 e. March – July 2024 **4. Budget monitoring and resource mobilization for CSE and SRHR supported.** 1. Monitored O3 PLUS project expenditure in line with the approved budget. 2. All of the six countries part of O3 PLUS submitted their in-kind contribution report. 3. At least one funding opportunity / linkage with other platforms working with HTEIs identified. March -August. 2024 March 2024 August 2024 **REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS** --------------------------- - Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field, such as education, health, social sciences, development studies, public health or related areas. - Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience. - Experience in leading projects in the education sector designed to address sexual and reproductive health issues of young people in higher and tertiary institutions. - Experience engaging with high-level development partners. - Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights, HIV prevention programming for young people particularly those in higher and tertiary education institutions, and comprehensive sexuality education in the context of ESA. **DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS** ---------------------------- - Previous work in Government, Civil Society, or the UN system an asset. - Strong understanding of the region and solid development understanding - Extensive professional knowledge in HIV, with expertise in UNESCO’s key leadership and main partner responsibilities within the UNAIDS division of labor and familiarity with UNAIDS - Highly skilled in maintaining liaison with partners. Language requirements --------------------- Proficiency in English **Payment modalities** ---------------------- Payments in arrears upon submission of satisfactory deliverables **Duration of the assignment** ------------------------------ The contract will run from March to August 2024 **How to apply** ---------------- Interested individuals should send a cover letter, CV and proof of work (a product demonstrating their work, e.g. report, publication or product) to by 1 March 2024. **Footer** ---------- UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States ([last update here](https://en.unesco.org/careers/geographicaldistribution)) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts. UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.