[Hiring] INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY - LEAD THEMATIC CONSULTANT OF THE AFRICA GOVERNANCE REPORT 2027 ON YOUTH IN GOVERNANCE: FROM PROMISE TO PROSPERITY @UNDP

Role Description

UNFPA and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) have established a strategic collaboration to advance youth leadership, good governance and realizing the demographic dividend across the continent. UNFPA ESARO is supporting the APRM in developing the Africa Governance Report 2027. As part of this collaboration, UNFPA is recruiting an individual consultant to be the Lead Thematic Consultant of the Africa Governance Report 2027 on Youth in Governance: From Promise to Prosperity. The consultant will be either based at the African Peer Review Mechanism Continental Office in Centurion, South Africa or work remotely.

Scope of Work

• Consolidate research findings and data of the AGR 2027.
• Provide consolidation of data, editing and proofreading of the overall report.
• Incorporate additional feedback from contributing authors and APRM staff.
• Ensure references are complete and accurate.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Analyse the research findings and draft key recommendations.
• Substantive and comprehensive content consolidation and editing.
• Weave chapters and contributions together to form a coherent and consistent chapter.
• Check for consistency regarding spelling and language style.
• Check quotations or illustrations that may need permission from the copyright owner.
• Create the list of acronyms and the table of contents when applicable.
• Support any other writing tasks related to communications of the secretariat, as required.

Duration and Working Schedule

The expected commencement date for the assignment is 6 July 2026, and the consultant is expected to work a total of 66 working days between July and November 2026 with July-September being the months with highest engagement.

Delivery Dates

• First draft of the initial Report by 31 July, 2026 (20% of Contract price upon paid acceptance).
• Second draft report by 15 August, 2026 (22% of contract price paid upon acceptance).
• A consolidated Final draft Africa Governance Report (AGR27) by 15 September, 2026 (48% of contract price paid upon acceptance).
• Presentation of report at validation meeting and incorporation of feedback at latest 5 days after the meeting (10% of contract price).

Supervisory Arrangements

The Consultant reports to the UNFPA ESARO Youth Team lead and the Director of the Governance and Specialised Reporting Directorate at the APRM on all issues pertaining to the management of the project and progress on technical aspects of the assignment.

Required Expertise, Qualifications and Competencies

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree required, PhD is an asset) in development studies or relevant discipline.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in youth, human capital development and data analysis sectors in Africa.
• Project management experience in the African Union or related institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to write to a very high standard.
• Strong technical background in Development Studies, Demography, Law, Management, Economics, Political Science, and other relevant fields.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is an asset.

Required Competencies

• Exemplifying integrity.
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system.
• Embracing cultural diversity.
• Embracing change.
• Achieving results.
• Being accountable.
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen.
• Thinking analytically and strategically.
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships.