The purpose of the consultancy is providing technical support to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to support the integration of comprehensive sexuality education into the basic education curriculum in Sierra Leone.
You will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Delivery unit, with additional over sight from the UNFPA Country Representative. Technical support will be provided by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Chief Education Officer and the UNFPA Gender and Rights Specialist.
Main objective
The main objective of the consultancy is to work in collaboration with the comprehensive sexuality education team in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education that aims to equip children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will enable them to develop a positive view of their sexuality. Such education should take place both in schools and at the community level. It must be age-appropriate and reflect the evolving capacities of adolescents. Furthermore, it should begin as early as possible, foster mature decision-making, and specifically aim to reduce gender inequality.
The specific objectives of the consultancy therefore are:
The 2019 Sexuality Education Review and Assessment Tool report found that there were elements of comprehensive sexuality education integrated into the following upper primary and junior secondary subjects, which could be strengthened:
- Religious and Morality Education
- Home Economics
- Science and Environment (primary) / Integrated Science (junior secondary)
- Physical Health education
Additionally, the report recommended that Comprehensive Sexuality Education should be integrated into the following subjects:
- Social Studies
- English
The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education is currently in the process of revising the National Curriculum Framework & Guidelines for Basic Education. The framework and guidelines adopt an integrated approach, with comprehensive sexuality education’s key concepts included across a variety of subject areas including the introduction of a new subject entitled Expressive Arts and Entertainment.
Activities:
Specifically, the consultant will be required to do the following in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and UNFPA:
Revise syllabuses for identified subjects.
Syllabuses should be revised to include specific concepts of comprehensive sexuality education for each identified subject. Specifically*,
- Religious and Morality Education
- Home Economics
- Science and Environment (primary)/Integrated Science (junior secondary)
- Physical Health education
- Social Studies
- English
- Expressive Arts and Entertainment
These must include the aims and sequence of contents to be covered, mode of delivery, materials to be used, learning tasks and activities, expected learning objectives or outcomes, and assessment/evaluation schemes.
Perform other tasks as identified by the head of the delivery unit
The consultant may be requested to perform other tasks as required by the delivery unit.
*Note that the subject areas may evolve throughout the course of the consultancy
Deliverables: (in soft copies)
1. Revised syllabuses for the following subject areas*: due 10 November 2020
- Religious and Morality Education
- Home Economics
- Science and Environment (primary) / Integrated Science (junior secondary)
- Physical Health education
- Social Studies
- English
- Expressive Arts and Entertainment
*Note that the subject areas may evolve throughout the course of the consultancy
2. Final report on work completed - 15 November 2020
- Deliverables should be submitted electronically to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and UNFPA
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- A Master’s degree in Education, Public Health or related Social Sciences.
- Minimum 7 years of professional experience in curriculum development or other relevant experience
- Knowledge of curriculum development for formal education
- Knowledge of the international technical guidelines on sexuality education and gender
- Prior experience working on development of comprehensive sexuality education curricula
- Excellent interpersonal and general communication skills
- Fluent in spoken and written English
Desirable:
- Prior experience working in gender related programming
- Prior experience with the UN
- Prior experience working to support Government, preferably within Africa or in developing countries
- Good writing and communication skills
- Proficient in use of Microsoft applications (especially Word, PowerPoint)
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing cultural diversity
- Embracing change
Functional Competencies:
- Strategically positioning UNFPA programme
- Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness
- Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information
- Facilitating quality programmatic results
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results
- Being accountable
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
- Thinking analytically and strategically
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
- Communicating for impact
Duration: 3 Months
Compensation: This is a deliverable based consultancy payable in lump sum in two parts by deliverable commensurate to the prevailing UN Consultancy scale
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to apply to the email address sierra-leone.office@unfpa.org not later than 3 August 2020 including: Motivational letter, - CV (including working experience and references); and copy of educational certificates. Only successful candidate will be contacted.
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.
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms and integrity. UNFPA is committed to maintaining a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourages women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.
We are no longer accepting applications for this position.
