Local Consultancy: Technical Assistance to Assess the Zikhalakanjani Youth Prevention Strategy’s effectiveness, alignment, and relevance to Adolescents and Young People, South Africa, Pretoria

The Position:

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Introduction and Context:

This document outlines the Terms of Reference for a comprehensive assessment of the #ZikhalaKanjani Youth Prevention Strategy.

The aim is to assess the effectiveness in the implementation of the strategy, its alignment with existing national policy frameworks on prevention and its relevance in responding to the dynamic needs of adolescents and young people (AYP). The assessment of the strategy provides the opportunity for structured engagements with the AYP Multi stakeholders for inputs and to incorporate improvements through consultations with technical experts and partners involved in youth programs. The #ZikhalaKanjani Youth Prevention Strategy (2022-2025) aims to prevent HIV, AIDS, TB, and STIs among adolescents and young people (AYP) in South Africa. It places special emphasis on the impact experienced by adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and highlights the importance of their active participation in response efforts. Developed by young people for young people, the strategy ensures ownership and acceptability by allowing youth to have a voice in creating solutions to the issues that affect them. Launched by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) in collaboration with provincial AIDS councils (PCAs), government departments, and civil society organizations, this strategy follows the “She Conquers” initiative. It integrates health and social services with youth development programs and emphasizes social and behaviour change communication.

Purpose of the Consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical assistance in:

• Identifying the achievements in implementing the strategy and evaluating
• the effectiveness of the executed programs and projects.
• Analyzing the understanding and adoption of the strategy among young
• people.
• Reviewing the alignment of the strategy with the national strategic plan
• and ensure its relevance to current realities and emerging issues impacting
• youth in South Africa.
• Developing clear recommendations for a responsive and effective strategy
• that addresses the youth prevention agenda.

Scope of Work:

The assessment will include:

• Reviewing the strategy in line with the current AYP HIV status of the country (95-95-95 targets).
• Analyse the relevance and alignment of the strategy to the current situation through SWOT analysis to leverage on the strengths and opportunities.
• Reviewing the development and relevance of specific indicators related to the objectives of the #ZikhalaKanjani Youth Prevention Strategy.
• Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the strategy’s implementation across different stakeholders: DBE (Department of Basic Education), DSD (Department of Social Development), DOH (Department of Health), and other organizations like UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women and different funders
• supporting the AYP program.
• Evaluating the strategy’s impact on the incidence rates of HIV and STIs. Reporting and dissemination of findings to all stakeholders.

Deliverables:

1. Detailed report presenting findings, progress, and recommendations.

• Overview of strategy implementation across sectors.
• Provide actionable insights to refine and improve the strategy over time.
• Recommendations for policy adjustments, innovative approaches to enhance the overall effectiveness of the #ZikhalaKanjani Youth Prevention Strategy.

2. PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations.

3. Advocacy brief on prevention strategy in combating HIV, AIDS, TB, and STIs among youth in South Africa.

Duration of assignment:

The duration of the project assignment is scheduled to start from 01 June 2025 to 04 August 2025.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Consultancy will be home based and the consultant may be expected to travel to implementation sites.

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 national or provincial level on youth or public health initiatives is highly desirable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

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. 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 to learn more.

Disclaimer:

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.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

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