[Hiring] National Individual Consultant: Development of a Youth, Peace and Security Communication Toolkit @UNFPA

Role Description

The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a practical, inclusive, nationally coherent and state-adaptable YPS Communication Toolkit and Community Engagement Package for use by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, state ministries of youth development, State YPS Technical Working Groups, youth-led organisations, peer educators, media actors, community leaders and SAFEYOPS partners.

• Review existing YPS documents, SAFEYOPS programme materials, state inception outputs, SBCC communication methodologies, National YPS Framework, UN YPS guidance and other relevant government/partner communication materials.
• Conduct a rapid communication needs and audience analysis covering federal, state, LGA and community-level users, including in-school youth, out-of-school youth, young women and girls, PWD youth, displaced youth, NYSC members, youth associations, parents, religious/traditional leaders, security and justice actors, media and influencers.
• Develop a full YPS Communication Toolkit with practical messages, IEC content, media guidance, peer educator resources, community engagement scripts, digital/social media content, safeguarding guidance, referral-aware messaging and feedback tools.
• Develop standardised message banks for YPS pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnership, and Disengagement/Reintegration, including messages on youth agency, social cohesion, countering stereotypes, GBV prevention, early warning, rumour management, civic participation and community accountability.
• Develop a peer educator and youth messenger package, including selection criteria, training outline, facilitation guide, session plans, supervision approach, reporting tools, consent guidance and safeguarding/referral protocols.
• Develop media engagement tools, including media briefing notes, press release template, radio/TV discussion guide, public service announcement scripts, talking points, editorial guidance for youth-positive reporting and a social media content calendar.
• Develop a community engagement methodology that defines entry steps, audience-channel mapping, community dialogue processes, faith/traditional leader engagement, market/school/youth centre outreach, feedback collection, referral linkage and learning/adaptation loops.
• Support message testing and validation with selected youth, government, CSO, media and community stakeholders to ensure clarity, cultural relevance, accessibility, conflict sensitivity and do-no-harm.
• Facilitate a technical validation session and revise the toolkit based on consolidated feedback from UNFPA, FMYD, State YPS actors, youth representatives and relevant technical partners.
• Prepare final editable and print-ready versions of the communication toolkit and all annexes/templates for national and state-level rollout.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in Communications, Social and Behaviour Change Communication, Development Communication, Peace and Conflict Studies, Youth Development, Public Policy, Education, Social Sciences, Gender Studies or related field.
• Additional certification/training in SBC, peacebuilding communication, media development, curriculum/facilitation design, safeguarding or conflict-sensitive programming is an advantage.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience for lead consultant team lead in communication strategy, SBC, toolkit development, peacebuilding communication, youth engagement or development communication.
• Demonstrated experience developing communication toolkits, message banks, IEC materials, media packs, facilitator guides, community engagement guides or training materials.
• Strong understanding of the YPS agenda, youth development, peacebuilding, civic participation, social cohesion, protection, GBV prevention and conflict-sensitive communication in Nigeria or similar contexts.
• Experience designing participatory and youth-led communication processes, including message testing and validation with diverse youth groups.
• Experience working with government, UN agencies, CSOs, media, religious/traditional institutions and youth-led organisations.
• Experience producing user-friendly, accessible and visually clear communication materials for multi-level rollout.

Benefits

• Home-based/remotely in Nigeria, with possible in-person meetings in Abuja and selected pilot states, subject to programme needs, security clearance and UN travel procedures.
• UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance.
• Encouragement for women and individuals from minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups to apply.