Consultancy - Development of the South Sudan Youth Development Strategy and Operational Plan

Duration: 70 working days (Sep - Dec 2021)

Location: Juba, South Sudan with some travel expected within and outside of Juba and surrounding states

Postion: International Consultancy

The overall purpose of this international consultancy service is to develop a comprehensive multi-sectoral Youth Development Strategy that serves as a harmonization and coordination framework for all actors and stakeholders dealing with youth and development issues including, but not limited to, access to good quality health care  including SRH information and services, quality education including technical, vocational, education and training (TVET), employment creation, active participation of the youth in small and micro-enterprise schemes, conflict resolution and peace-building, etc. The youth strategy will be informed by the experiences and lessons learnt from conflict and post conflict situations with particular focus on the peculiar features of the demographic and conflict dynamics of South Sudan. It will also draw lessons from countries that developed and implemented similar policies and strategies. 

Objectives: 

The specific objectives of the assignment will include, among others, to:

• Compile basic data on youth and demographic dynamics in the South Sudan;
• Conduct/desk review, analyze and synthesize, global, regional and national youth reports, relevant national statistical records, trends in youth population growth, impact of conflict on youth employment status, levels of poverty, gender dimensions, labour migration and related challenges as well as opportunities for young people;
• Identify youth and related national policies and institutional niches in government and stakeholders’ institutions as well as the underlying causes of existing deficiencies and ways of redressing them;
• Prepare a draft South Sudan Multi-Sectoral Youth Development Strategy (YDS), its Operational Plan and a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) matrix;
• Incorporate costings for various strategies and interventions proposed in the strategy
• Propose an appropriate institutional framework/architecture to coordinate national programs and initiatives on youth
• Present the draft South Sudan Multi-Sectoral YDS for validation in a workshop to be organized by the government, UNFPA and other stakeholders; 
• Incorporate comments, inputs and finalize the South Sudan Multi-Sectoral YDS and operational plan, within the stipulated time frame. 
• Ensure that the South Sudan Multi Sectoral YDS is endorsed by the government

Scope of work:

The development of the South Sudan Multi-Sectoral YDS will be a participatory process which will entail engagement of relevant stakeholders through focused and dedicated interactions. This will give an opportunity for the Ministry of Youth and other stakeholders to provide inputs into the strategy development process and ensure adequate consultation and ownership. The consultant will therefore undertake the following tasks:

• Document reviews: Review relevant documents including global, regional as well as national policies and strategies for young people. They include: The South Sudan State of Adolescents & Youth Report 2019, the South Sudan National Youth Development Policy; a Collective Response and Engagement Strategy on Youth interference; compact of young people; Youth Programme related documents from various institutions/organizations and any other related documents, reports and studies available. 
• Stakeholder consultations: conduct consultations with key informants from government and non-government institutions at national, states and county level, UN agencies, donors, Youth (15-35 years) representatives at rural and urban settings, academia, broad group of stakeholders, under the leadership of the Ministry of Youth in collaboration with the national consultant (s).
• Drafting of the national youth strategy: Through consultation with a broad group of stakeholders, under the leadership of the Ministry of Youth, the consultant will draft the national youth strategy in a participatory and inclusive manner that takes care of the local peculiarities of the context of the youth of South Sudan while maintaining relevant regional and international standards. 
• Validation workshop (virtual/physical meeting): Under the leadership of the Ministry of Youth, the consultant will convene a validation workshop for various stakeholders to provide inputs to the draft South Sudan Multi-Sectoral YDS. This will be an inclusive process with young people (15-35 years) of diverse background of urban & rural including persons with disability, policy and decision makers, parents, service providers and religious leaders, UN and other development partners, selected Education sector focal points, officials from other relevant line Ministries and representatives from the Ministry of Youth.
• Leadership: Provide guidance and lead the overall strategy development process with the other consultants hired, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth. 

The Consultant will be under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Deputy Representative. However, he/she will work on a day to day basis with the NRG, UNFPA Adolescents and Youth Programme Analyst and other UNFPA programme staff.

Requirements: 

Education:

Master's Degree in development studies, public health, health promotion, social science or other relevant discipline.

Experience: 

• 7 years’ work experience in development of guidelines and/or strategies on integrated SRH programme/services, sexuality education or ASRH materials, including facilitation of training.
• Work experience within Africa generally and East & Southern Africa Region.
• In depth understanding of youth work in resource constrained settings, multi-cultural environment and in post conflict situations 
• Previous experience in conducting similar work and any similar experience in South Sudan is an added advantage. 
• Demonstrate analytical and strategic planning, 
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English language,
• Fully conversant with usage of computers (MS Office), email and the Internet.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and in harmony with persons of different national backgrounds and cultures. 

Language: 

Fluent in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.

How to Apply:

Please send your application and a short letter of motivation with “Development of the South Sudan Youth Development strategy and operational plan Consultant" in the subject to ssco.vacancies@unfpa.org, with copy to muchiri@unfpa.org, by application closing date. 

Disclaimer: UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.