National Consultancy – CSE Situational Analysis, Manual Review and Translation

EmpowerED is UNFPA’s global initiative to expand universal access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for adolescents and youth. This initiative seeks to enhance their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and
ensure they live a life free from violence. The project improves access to in-school and out-of-school gender-transformative CSE for adolescents and youth in 10 countries, including Malawi, while also strengthening the linkages to services for gender-based violence.

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a situational analysis and technical review of existing CSE training manuals in Malawi, and revise them to align with the International Technical and Programmatic Guidance on Out-of-School CSE (ITPG) and the Gender & Social Norms Toolkit.

The consultancy will ensure that the revised manuals:
● Integrate gender-transformative approaches that address harmful gender norms, power relations, and inequalities affecting adolescents’ SRHR;
● Strengthen young people’s agency, decision-making, and critical thinking;
● Reflect emerging issues and the needs of diverse groups, including AGYW, young people living with HIV, and young people with disabilities;
● Are practical and usable for facilitators in real delivery settings.

Overall, the consultancy will contribute to improving the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of out-of-school CSE in Malawi, supporting better SRHR outcomes and GBV prevention.

Under the direct supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of the Ministry of Youth, and in close collaboration with the UNFPA Youth Team Lead and the Gender Specialist in the UNFPA office in Malawi, the consultant will:

Applicants should submit:
(i) a CV/UN P11;
(ii) a brief technical proposal outlining the proposed approach and work plan; and, selection will consider technical quality, relevant experience, language capacity, and cost competitiveness.

Master’s or equivalent in international relations, gender studies, sexual and reproductive health, international development or other field directly related to the substantive area of work.

● A minimum of 5 years of experience working in the area of gender equality in international development.
● Ability to connect gender equality with wider SRH issues, including GBV and CSE.
● Exposure to UNFPA work at the country level and experience in UNFPA programming is an asset.
● Experience in writing for UN development programmes.
● Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Fluency in English and Chichewa is required. Knowledge of other local languages, such as Tumbuka or Tonga, will be an advantage.

● Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural settings and with diverse
stakeholders.
● Strong organizational and project management skills.
● Commitment to ethical standards and data protection principles.
● Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively.

The consultant will be paid as per the UNFPA consultancy payment guideline.
 

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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 [link removed] to learn more.

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.