ABOUT YLABS
YLabs is a leading global design and research organization designing technologies that amplify youth power, agency, and opportunity. Founded in 2014 at the Harvard Innovation Lab, YLabs partners with young people to co-create inclusive digital products and services that improve their lives. Our design process opens spaces where young people’s ideas can become a reality – where they are the architects of the solutions to their most pressing challenges.
YLabs multidisciplinary team delivers youth-driven innovation and impact at scale. Our team combines expertise in youth-driven design with adolescent health, climate, livelihoods, digital product design, behavioral science, and epidemiology. Based in Rwanda and the USA, we’ve worked in 18 countries to date on projects spanning three focus areas: optimum health and wellness, improved economic opportunity, and increased climate resilience.
Find out more about our projects here: https://www.ylabsglobal.org/work
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a Technical Lead Consultant, with expertise in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) to support a project in Mozambique. This role is part of the Todas Avante project, a six-year gender transformative initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada, implemented in partnership with Plan International Mozambique and AMODEFA. The project aims to increase the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and protection rights for adolescents and young people in Nampula province. The technical lead consultant will provide technical assistance in the review of research documents, content, tools, guides, and recommendations related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, with a particular focus on addressing provider bias, promoting inclusive approaches, and integrating Social Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) strategies. The Consultant will work closely with local partners and community stakeholders to ensure culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions. The ideal candidate should have experience working on ASRHR-related projects in Mozambique or neighbouring countries.
JOB TYPE
This is a part-time, independent contractor (consultancy) position based in Nampula province, Mozambique, but open to candidates from other regions in and outside of Mozambique. The candidate will need to dedicate an average of 80-100 hours per month, with flexibility to accommodate project peaks and deliverables deadlines. The contract duration will be 12 months, with a possibility of renewal upon expiry. The anticipated start date for this contract is July 2025.
LOCATION
This is a remote role, based in Nampula province, Mozambique. The successful candidate may be required to travel within the province for field visits, workshops, stakeholder meetings and other project activities. In the event of travel, all expenses will be covered by the project.
ABOUT YLABS’ COMPENSATION
YLabs adheres to Project Fair’s principles and standards to establish equity in pay with the overriding principle of “equal pay for work of equal value” outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. All salary ranges are based on level within the organization and are competitive to regional and national salary benchmarks, based on the respective office location.
PAY RATE
The pay range for this position will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and skill level. The pay range is regionally benchmarked for a senior or lead-level position in the East and South Africa regions. YLabs pays all salaries in the local currency of the staff member’s permanent work location.
- Senior-level pay range: $191 - $229 per day
- Lead-level pay range: $218 - $261 per day
YOU WILL:
Content writing, technical review and quality assurance - 40%
- Review and edit ASRHR (adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights) content, including training manuals, outreach materials, curricula and other relevant materials to ensure it meets the needs of adolescents in Mozambique, is free from bias and harmful narratives, reflects relevant policy and contextual knowledge, and is culturally appropriate.
- Support content development to ensure it aligns with best practices in Mozambique, driving lasting behaviour change.
- Assess and provide technical recommendations for existing ASRH tools, including health education materials, digital resources, and service delivery guides, ensuring they incorporate evidence-based practices and do not perpetuate bias.
- Identify and recommend changes to eliminate bias (gender, socio-cultural or geographical biases) in ASRH materials, making the content more inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of adolescents.
- Develop and maintain quality assurance frameworks for all the ASRHR materials produced under the project.
Research - 30%
- Support research and testing of SBCC (Social and Behavior Change Communication) concepts, and help refine and adapt them to ensure they resonate with youth and are culturally appropriate and relevant.
- Provide technical input and review of existing research, surveys, and data reports related to ASRHR, with a focus on adolescent health needs, sexual and reproductive rights, gender-sensitive programming, and SBCC strategies.
- Provide recommendations on integrating SBCC principles into ASRH interventions, ensuring that strategies are evidence-based, context-specific and align with partners’ expectations.
- Work closely with the project team and the partners’ technical teams to ensure that ASRH interventions and materials reflect current best practices, national priorities, and effective SBCC approaches.
Training and workshop - 30%
- Assist the team in developing training materials for project partners and stakeholders and ensure the successful delivery of training content to promote project uptake.
- Collaborate closely with project partners (Plan International Mozambique and AMODEFA) to support the technical implementation of project activities, maintaining regular communication on progress, challenges, and technical requirements. Work with the project lead and project manager to coordinate partner engagement and contribute to community outreach and dissemination of technical findings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in Public Health, Adolescent Health, Gender Studies or related field
- A senior-level candidate should have at least 3-5 years of experience in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH), preferably in low-resource settings.
- A lead-level candidate should have 7-10 years of experience in the field.
- Strong understanding of Mozambique’s health landscape and regulatory environment, particularly in adolescent health.
- Experience working with young people and creating interventions tailored to them
- Experience working in community interventions in low-resource settings to improve health outcomes.
- Experience working in Mozambique. Prior experience working in Nampula province is an added advantage but not required.
- Experience in conducting technical reviews of health-related research, content, tools, and guides.
- Fluency in Portuguese and English (written and spoken).
Desirable Qualifications
- Expertise in Social Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC), particularly in adolescent health promotion.
- Expertise in addressing biases, particularly related to gender, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity in health materials.
- Knowledge and understanding of participatory research approaches, particularly in testing interventions with community stakeholders.
- Knowledge of eMkhuwa or other local languages spoken in Nampula.
- Demonstrated experience engaging with project partners and funders to discuss the technical components of projects, particularly those focused on ASRHR.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by our Hiring Committee, and the job post will be up until filled. YLabs recognizes the effort that goes into submitting an application; all applications received during the posting period will be reviewed, and all candidates will be notified of their application status once the hiring process begins.
All YLabs offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory background checks and criminal record clearances.
To apply, please submit the following documents:
- Most up-to-date CV/Resume
- Cover letter addressing your relevant experience and motivations
- Contact information for 3 professional references
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
YLabs is committed to building teams and policies that promote equity, justice, and belonging at work. We strongly encourage people from all cultures, races, educational backgrounds, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, age, gender, and physical abilities to apply. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, familial status, marital status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.