National Individual consultancy to support Adolescents’ Learning and Skills portfolio, Maseru,Lesotho (120 days)

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, Opportunity

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose of the Assignment:

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Gender, Youth & Social Development to deliver a holistic and comprehensive programme for adolescents with a focus on skills development for learning, personal empowerment, lifeskills, active citizenship and employability to enable adolescents to thrive in today’s world and contribute towards sustainable development.

The main objectives of the consultancy are:

1. To enhance the quality and reach of adolescent learning and skills programmes.
2. To provide administrative and technical support for the implementation of strategies for improving adolescent engagement and outcomes.
3. To support capacity building initiatives undertaken by different partner organizations in skills for the 21^st century including digital skills, climate action, and lifeskills.

Scope of Work:

The selected candidate will work closely with MOET, MOGYSD, NGOs, development partners, other relevant stakeholders and experts on the following:

a)       Life Skills Programme under the Department of Youth

• Assist in integrating the newly-developed life skills training manual into existing programs seeking synergies with other departments/ ministries.
• Support the facilitation of workshops and training sessions for adolescents using the new manual.
• Support development and broadcasting of radio sessions led by adolescents on selected key topics in the lifeskills manual for wider reach
• Help monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the life skills program and gather feedback.

b)       Sustainability Education and Green Skills (JSB project)

• Assist in designing and implementing sustainability education programmes focusing on green skills and environmental stewardship within the selected schools
• Support identification and sourcing of training materials and resources on green skills, such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable agriculture.
• Help facilitate knowledge sharing for youth on sustainability practices and green careers and identify champions.
• Assist in monitoring and assessing the impact of the project and provide recommendations for scaling up.

c)       Learning to Earning Agenda

• With guidance from the Regional Office, execute the youth agency marketplace (YOMA) for Lesotho
• Support the implementation of the Youth4Change wetlands restoration project in the four sub-catchment areas.
• Assist in engaging with local communities and youth groups to promote participation in the restoration activities.

d)       Supporting Out-of-School Adolescents through the GPE Multiplier 2

• Assist in conducting outreach and awareness campaigns to engage out-of-school adolescents in identifying alternative learning models that are suitable for their unique needs
• Provide administrative support for piloting alternative learning programs
• Support the development and implementation of re-entry programmes tailored to the needs of out-of-school adolescents.
• Provide administrative support for counseling and support services to facilitate the transition back to formal education
• Assist in monitoring and reporting on the progress and outcomes of the restoration project

Work Assignment Overview: The consultant will be responsible for the delivery and technical quality of the set deliverables. The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis, with payments made upon satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables and submission of monthly progress reports. All deliverables shall be submitted to in accordance with the following timeline.

Tasks/Milestone:	Deliverables/Outputs:	Timeline (period/deadline)	Payment structure (% of the total fee)
Develop workplan with timelines on the execution of agreed activities as per the scope outlined. Compile monthly progress reports detailing activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations in the execution of agreed activities.	Monthly progress report and approved workplan with timelines	20 days/ 28 Feb. 2025	20%
Compile monthly progress reports detailing activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations in the execution of agreed activities.	Monthly progress report	20 days/ 31 Mar. 2025	15%
Compile monthly progress reports detailing activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations in the execution of agreed activities.	Monthly progress report	20 days/ 30 Apr. 2025	15%
Compile monthly progress reports detailing activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations in the execution of agreed activities	Monthly progress report	20 days/ 31 May 2025	15%
Compile monthly progress reports detailing activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations in the execution of agreed activities	Monthly progress report	20 days/ 30 Jun. 2025	15%
Compile final report summarising achievements and recommendations for future actions	Final consultancy report	20 days/ 31 Jul. 2025	20%

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

Minimum Qualifications required:

• Bachelors degree

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

The qualifications and skill areas required include:

• University degree in education or related social sciences from a recognized institution
• Some experience in adolescent education and skills development is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, planning, facilitation, coordination, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government ministries, NGOs, and community organisations

Language:

• Sesotho and English.
• Fluency in English is a must.

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.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit an online application through the Talent Management System (TMS) that consists as a minimum of the following:

-TMS Profile/ Curriculum Vitae

-Financial proposal must be ‘all inclusive’ of all expenses related to the assignment

-2 reference letters/ performance evaluations

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you have not been contacted within 2 months of the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Regret emails will be sent only to shortlisted/contacted candidates.

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.