Local Consultancy: Technical Assistance for the Department of Basic Education (DBE) with the Revision of the Protocols on Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Schools, South Africa, Pretoria needed at United Nations Development Programme

Activities and Tasks: 

UNESCO and UNFPA will jointly provide the administrative and logistical support necessary for implementing the project to undertake the following activities: 

• 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.
• 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. 
• 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 forms

Deliverables:

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. 
• All deliverables should be presented in a format agreed upon by Basic Education, UNESCO, and UNFPA.

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.