International Consultancy: Adolescent Empowerment and Innovation Lead, Freetown, Sierra Leone

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, a champion.

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

How can you make a difference? 

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF Sierra Leone for the successful, inclusive rollout of the Digital Learning Hubs and lead the development of a comprehensive ADAP strategy for the Country Office that integrates a strong, intentional focus on girls’ empowerment.

Additionally, the consultancy aims to strengthen resource mobilization efforts for the ADAP and Innovation programme, ensuring sustainable funding and strategic alignment with the new Country programme.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

The consultant will adopt a hybrid approach, combining both remote and in-person work to ensure efficient, flexible support to UNICEF Sierra Leone. Key elements of the methodology include:

1. Desk Review: Conduct a review of existing policies, programmes, and strategies on adolescent development, with a focus on cross-sectoral integration, gender equity, and adolescent participation.
2. Stakeholder Consultations: Engage with key stakeholders, including government ministries, UNICEF teams, civil society, community leaders, and youth organizations to gather insights, align priorities, and identify gaps in adolescent programming.
3. Field Visits and Participatory Workshops: Conduct site visits to Digital Learning Hubs and other key program areas, involving adolescents—particularly girls—in workshops to ensure their voices are central to strategy development and programme design.
4. Resource Mobilization: Work closely with the Country Office to develop a targeted resource mobilization strategy for the Innovation and ADAP programme, identifying potential funding sources and partners to ensure long-term sustainability.

Capacity Building for Multisectoral Empowerment: Design and facilitate capacity-building initiatives that go beyond life skills to include civic engagement, youth-led climate action, mental health, and gender-responsive programming for the Digital Learning Hubs.

Management, Organization and Timeframe:

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance and oversight of the UNICEF Innovation Specialist, with a secondary reporting line to the Social Transformation Chief for ADAP Programme strategy. While primarily home-based, the consultant will undertake at least two trips to Sierra Leone, totaling approximately 10 weeks, including a minimum of three field trips to Digital Learning Hub sites and other key program locations. Field travel requirements will be discussed and agreed upon with the Consultant at the start of the assignment.

Please see attached for detailed information: 

ToR – Adolescent Empowerment and Innovation.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Education, Public Health, International Relations, or a related field. Specialized training in adolescent programming, life skills, or digital education would be essential.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in the fields of youth programming, education, gender and development, or social protection, preferably within international development organizations.
• Proven track record in leading adolescent-focused programming with significant experience in designing and implementing life skills, digital learning, civic engagement, or gender-focused initiatives.
• Experience working in low-resource and marginalized contexts, especially in developing countries, with a focus on gender-responsive programming for adolescents.
• Demonstrated experience in program management, capacity building, and multisectoral collaboration.
• Previous experience with UNICEF or another major international organization would be highly advantageous, especially with direct involvement in youth empowerment, protection, and development projects.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset. 

Other skills and attributes:

• Strong understanding of adolescent development and participation (ADAP), with proven expertise in designing, implementing, and managing youth and adolescent-focused programs, particularly in gender-sensitive and inclusive education and life skills.
• Knowledge of adolescent health, protection, and education frameworks with experience in integrating SRHR, mental health, and civic engagement.
• Expertise in digital learning strategies and educational technologies, especially in contexts related to marginalized and out-of-school youth.
• Proficiency in designing and using monitoring and evaluation frameworks for youth programs.
• Experience in fundraising, partnership development, and resource mobilization, including drafting proposals and concept notes for donor engagement.
• Strong analytical skills to develop multisectoral strategies and frameworks that align ADAP programs with education, health, protection, and youth participation priorities.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

Read Full Description