International Consultant for the Development of a National Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Strategy for Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) in Liberia

Introduction:

Liberia has a young population, with 46% (2.4 million people) under the age of 19. Adolescents (10 to 19 years) constitute approximately 35.6% of the population. The young generation represents a powerful force that can drive the country’s development agenda.

Adolescents are at a time of tremendous physical, cognitive, and social change and require a range of support to thrive, ensure a safe transition into adulthood, and adopt lifelong healthy behaviors that support their journey through education, learning, and skill development, free from violence, abuse, and all forms of exploitation.

Pervasive poverty, limited access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including contraception, and prevalent harmful social and gender norms, coupled with the disconnect between laws and policies and their implementation, hamper adolescents, particularly girls and other vulnerable groups, from realizing their rights and potential.

Adolescent girls often initiate sex at an early age, between 14 and 16 years, and 47% of sexually active adolescent girls who wish to use contraception do not use any modern method, and as a result, 32% of girls are already mothers by age 19. The high rate of teenage pregnancies contributes to lower educational attainment and a higher rate of school dropout amongst girls.

Data from the 2022 population and housing census confirms that 15% of girls drop out of primary and secondary school due to early pregnancies. Pregnant adolescents experience psychological challenges as well as social isolation and stress as they deal with unwanted and early pregnancies, and unpreparedness for parenthood.

Complications during pregnancy and childbirth are prevalent amongst adolescent girls, with an estimated 60% of Obstetric fistulas in Liberia reported among this group.

Malnutrition is another key contributor affecting adolescent development, with 55% of adolescent girls experiencing anemia (haemoglobin <10g/dl). This further exacerbates pregnancy outcomes and contributes to intergenerational stunting.

Justification

Developing a dedicated National Social and Behavior Change (SBCC) strategy for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) in Liberia is a critical public health priority.

While existing strategies address related issues, the complex challenges facing Liberia’s youth—including teenage pregnancy, harmful social norms, and limited access to services require a specialized, evidence-based SBC framework.

Liberia currently lacks a comprehensive, standalone national SBCC strategy focused specifically on ASRH. The strategy must be tailored to diverse adolescent groups, their influencers, and county contexts, using trusted communication channels and age-appropriate messaging

Objective of the Assignment:

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop an evidence-based, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and culturally appropriate national SBC strategy for ASRH in Liberia that aligns with national health policies and international best practices.

The strategy will focus on adolescents (10–19 years), with special attention to adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups, including adolescents with disabilities.

It will address priority ASRH behaviors and determinants directly linked to information, norms, service uptake, agency, and care-seeking. Issues outside ASRH should be included only where they are clearly connected to ASRH outcomes.

Methodology:

To achieve the objectives, the consultant will:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of policies, strategies, DHS/census data, and relevant programme reports.
• Undertake key informant interviews with government, civil society, development partners, service providers, and community leaders.
• Conduct focus group discussions with segmented adolescent groups.
• Apply an appropriate SBCC framework (e.g., socio-ecological model or similar)
• Ensure ethical standards and safeguarding considerations in engaging adolescents. The process will be participatory and inclusive, ensuring alignment with national frameworks and stakeholder buy-in.

Scope of Work:

• The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
• Desk Review and Stakeholder Mapping:
• Review existing national ASRH policies and programmes
• Analyze relevant data and SBCC evidence
• Identify key behaviors, audiences, and stakeholders

Consultation Process:

• Conduct consultations in selected counties, including Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, and Rivercess
• Facilitate workshops and focus group discussions
• Analyze and synthesize findings

Development of the SBC Strategy:

• Develop a national SBC strategy including:
• Vision, mission, and strategic pillars
• Audience segmentation (e.g., age groups, gender, in/out-of-school, disability status)
• Behavioral objectives
• Theory of Change
• Messaging framework (IEC materials, message concepts, and matrix)
• Communication channels and approaches
• Implementation plan
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework

Validation and Finalization

• Facilitate validation workshop
• Revise and finalize strategy

Deliverables and timeline:

The Consultant will deliver as per the deliverables and timeline outlined below:

Situational Analysis (A detailed inception report outlining the consultant's understanding of the ToR, methodology, work plan, and timeline)
5 calendar days after the contract is signed.
Consultation Report and Draft Strategy for stakeholders’ input ahead of validation
30 calendar days after the contract is signed.
Validation Workshop Report and Revised SBCC Strategy for final input.
40 calendar days after the contract is signed.
Revised post-validation draft
50 calendar days after the contract is signed.
Final print-ready SBCC strategy and user-friendly materials, including presentations for dissemination.
60 calendar days after the contract is signed.

Duration and Location of the Consultancy:

Location: The Consultant will work remotely for 40 days and in Monrovia, Liberia, with travel to counties for consultations and validation for 20 days, respectively.

Duration: 60 working days

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the UNFPA Liberia Country Office Deputy Representative and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist for Adolescents and Youth Empowerment, Leadership and Participation. All deliverables will be subject to review and formal approval by UNFPA and the Government of Liberia's line ministries. Consolidated feedback will be provided within an agreed timeframe.

Required Qualification:

The consultant must meet the following criteria:

• Advanced degree in Public Health, Social and Behavior Change Communication, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating SBCC programs, preferably in ASRH.
• Experience developing national strategies
• Strong knowledge of ASRH and SBCC approaches
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Familiarity with Liberia is highly desirable

Payment and Terms:

Payments will be made against the outlined deliverables as follows:

• 20% upon submission and approval of the inception report, including situational analysis.
• 35% upon submission and approval of the consultation report and draft SBCC strategy for validation
• 45% upon submission and approval of the final strategy, and user-friendly materials, including presentations for dissemination

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA:

UNFPA will provide:

• Relevant documents
• Administrative support
• Stakeholder coordination

The consultant will provide their own equipment.

Application:

Interested consultants should submit the following:

• Technical proposal (methodology, workplan)
• CV

Languages:

• English

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.