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Background and Justification

Eastern and Southern Africa is home to 1.9 million 15–24-year-olds living with HIV, accounting for more than a third of all new HIV infections in the region. The adolescent birth rate in the region is alarmingly high— double the global rate—standing at 92 births per 1,000 girls. One in four women aged 20–24 years gave birth before the age of 18. Despite these challenges, basic HIV prevention knowledge remains critically low among adolescents and young people. According to research done by UNAIDS, 2019, In only three countries (Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia) less than 50% of young people living with HIV were aware of their HIV status, compared to between 74% and 80% of adults aged 35–49 years living with HIV in the same countries. 

Young people are already leading, influencing and advocating for change for their unmet SRHR and HIV needs in ESA Region. UNICEF, together with other UN agencies under 2gether 4 SRHR programme, is supporting these efforts through   strengthening the capacity of youth-led organizations including advocacy. There are several technical documents being released under the 2gether 4 SRHR programme that provide the latest evidence and policy and programme recommendations as well implementation considerations. These documents play a pivotal role in supporting advocacy for policy and implementation change addressing HIV, SRHR, and gender inequalities among adolescents and young people in the region. While young people have been involved in the development of these products, there is a need to translate them into more youth friendly products and to provide guidance on their advocacy use. Likewise, to ensure the utilization of the documents and their content, additional efforts are required to creatively disseminate the products to a range of stakeholders including young people. 

Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the UNICEF Regional Adolescent and HIV/AIDS specialist in close collaboration with the HIV Specialist (Adolescence and SRHR) and the HIV programme officer, the consultant will develop knowledge and advocacy products that amplify regional learning and can be utilized by youth led organizations, UNICEF country and regional offices and UN partner organizations. More specifically, this consultant will: 

• • Develop clear, concise, and youth-friendly knowledge products that translate technical documents into actionable insights for effective HIV and SRHR programming for adolescents and young people.  
  • Produce compelling advocacy tools to raise awareness, influence policies, and encourage investment in adolescent and youth SRHR and HIV services. The advocacy materials should empower youth advocates, policymakers, and community leaders leveraging multiple platforms including social media.  
  • Co-create strategies in collaboration with UNICEF technical colleagues and other UN technical specialists to effectively disseminate knowledge products and resources to reach country offices, adolescents, and young people across diverse platforms and for effective utilization in programming. 
• More details are as per the Terms of Reference attached hereto Knowledge Management Consultant to amplify regional learning especially for Adolescents and Young People including youth-friendly and advocacy products

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

1. Education: Advanced university degree in public health, social sciences, international development, education, communication or another related field. 
2. At least 5 years of work experience in communication, advocacy or knowledge management with a very good understanding of the key elements of knowledge sharing and dissemination, including visual communication, digital tools and design, multimedia production.
3. Proven experience in managing web-based applications such as Microsoft Teams, online conferencing and knowledge management applications (SharePoint, website)  
4. Experience in working with adolescents and young people and developing similar youth friendly content is highly desired.  
5. Experience in developing advocacy messages and tools is an advantage
6. Strong writing and communication skills in English and the aptitude to document competing messages and priorities with multiple audiences.
7. Work independently as well as with a team in an international, multicultural, and interdisciplinary environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
8. Experience in work environment of an international agency, UN, or international institutions is desirable; prior experience in UNICEF is an asset.
9. Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:
   1. Care
   2. Respect
   3. Integrity
   4. Trust
   5. Accountability
   6. Sustainability
10. Competencies: 
    1. Drive to achieve results for impact
    2. Works collaboratively with others, particularly key stakeholders.
    3. Thinks and acts strategically
    4. Manages ambiguity and complexity

Administrative issues

The consultancy will be Home based/ Virtual availability between 9 am to 5 pm Nairobi time.

Conditions

• The consultant will use their own equipment including computer and internet to produce deliverables. All communications shall be done through available, and UNICEF recommended virtual platforms.  
• The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts and consultants.    
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.    
• The consultant will work remotely with no country travel.    
• The consultant will be paid an all-inclusive fee (stationary, communication and other miscellaneous expenses) as per the stipulated deliverable and payment schedule.   
• Standard UNICEF procedures will apply for invoicing and all other financial management requirements set out in the contract.
• Standard penalty clauses will also apply for late and poor-quality deliverables. The supervisor of the contract will provide the consultant with the criteria for the evaluation of the quality of each deliverable.    
• Additional details of UNICEF rules, regulations and conditions will be attached to the contract.  
• Consultant will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on UNICEF budget.  
• 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 assignment is for off-site support.   
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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 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. 
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants. 
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

Risks

• As a remote assignment, there is the potential risk that the deliverables will not be met in a timely manner. To mitigate this, regular calls and email touchpoints between the consultant and UNICEF will be conducted to check in on progress and address any potential bottlenecks.    
• To ensure alignment, collaborate with UN agencies and youth-led networks, joint planning as well as open and regular communication channels will be undertaken between the contractor and the relevant persons.  

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV or P11 form and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Interested candidates should indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants and KES. for national consultants, to undertake the terms of reference. Please indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

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