Individual Consultant on Education Sector Responses to Early and Unintended Pregnancy in WCA

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector  :  Field Office

Duty Station :  Dakar

Job Family :  Education

Type of contract  :  Non Staff

Duration of contract  :  From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to  :  External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Duty Station Time)  :  11 July 2025

UNESCO Core Values : Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Adolescent pregnancy remains a pressing challenge in West and Central Africa (WCA), driven by a complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors. The region has the highest proportion of adolescents giving birth before the age of 18 (33%), and 3.5% of girls give birth before the age of 15. Seven of the ten countries with the highest adolescent pregnancy rates globally are located in WCA. These early and unintended pregnancies (EUP) often result in adverse health outcomes, including pregnancy-related complications, elevated maternal mortality risks, and mental health issues exacerbated by stigma and social exclusion.

The situation is further compounded by the widespread lack of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and limited access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Many adolescent mothers face significant discrimination, lack of support from families and communities, and substantial barriers to re-entering the education system. The interruption of their education greatly diminishes their future employment prospects, reinforcing cycles of poverty and gender inequality.

Long Description

Marginalized and vulnerable groups—particularly girls from rural areas, low-income families, or crisis-affected regions—are disproportionately affected. Socio-cultural norms, economic hardship, unequal gender power dynamics, and systemic gaps in education and health services all contribute to the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy.

In response, the WCA Commitment for Educated, Healthy and Thriving Adolescents and Young People, endorsed by Ministers of Education and Health from 25 countries in April 2023, affirms strong regional political will to improve outcomes for adolescents through a coordinated, multisectoral approach. This commitment is aligned with the African Union’s Continental Strategy on Education for Health and Well-being and promotes the delivery of comprehensive education, improved SRH services, and targeted efforts to address gender inequality and violence.

Long Description

UNESCO supports the implementation of the WCA Commitment through the Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) Programme. The O3 Programme is the largest education-sector response to adolescent health and well-being in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on equipping adolescents and young people with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, prevent EUP, and thrive in safe and inclusive learning environments.

Rationale

Despite various national efforts to address learner pregnancy, there remains limited consolidated evidence on the effectiveness and coverage of policies and strategies across the region. Key gaps persist in the prevention of EUP and the support provided to pregnant and parenting learners—particularly with regard to retention and reintegration into the school system.

To address this gap, UNESCO is commissioning a regional scoping report to analyze the current landscape of policy and practice concerning learner pregnancy in WCA. The report will :

• Synthesize available data on EUP determinants;
• Document national responses;
• Assess policy implementation and effectiveness;
• Highlight innovative practices; and
• Provide actionable recommendations to support gender-responsive and inclusive education systems.

The report will directly inform UNESCO’s programming in the region and contribute to advocacy, policymaking, and capacity development efforts under the O3 Programme.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

Accountability (C)Communication (C)Innovation (C)Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)Planning and organizing (C)Results focus (C)Teamwork (C)Professionalism (C)

For detailed information, please consult the .

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Expertise

The selected individual consultant must meet the following criteria :

Fluency in French (written and spoken) and working knowledge of English.

Long Description

Long Description

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

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