Job Details

Job Description

About Restless Development

Restless Development is a global non profit agency. We support the collective power of young leaders to create a better world. We are independently registered and governed in nine countries (India, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, UK, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe) bound together by our vision for youth power. We run youth-led programmes to tackle the issues that young people care about the most as well as running a growing global Youth Collective.

We know young people have the power to solve the challenges we face in our world, but they are being side-lined. We are the agency that works with young people so they can lead in solving those challenges. Whether that means supporting communities to end child marriage or prevent HIV, we work with young people to change their lives and the lives of people in their communities.

Our programmes are genuinely life-changing, but we can’t do any of this without talented, creative individuals at every level of our organisation.

Our approach to safeguarding

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organisational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognize that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding policy .

Background

The AU/EU Youth Voices Lab-Power of the Collective (Youth Voices Lab-PoC) is a four-year initiative aimed at fostering inclusive and youth-responsive societies across Africa and Europe. Implemented by five partners: OXFAM International, Restless Development, Search for Common Ground, Youth Maker Hub, and Make Sense Africa and funded by the European Union in partnership with the African Union, the initiative supports meaningful youth engagement and partnerships with decision-makers, including governments, CSOs, and corporations.

As part of the strategy and protection strategy, the lab aims to build and strengthen systems that safeguard young people’s participation, ensuring that engagement processes are safe, inclusive, and sustainable. Through its focus on empowering youth and fostering intergenerational collaboration, the Youth Voices Lab seeks to address the critical needs and priorities of young people across all 54 African countries and the African diaspora in Europe while concentrating its efforts in fifteen intervention states fourteen in Africa (Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cameroon, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia) and one in Europe (Belgium, Brussels). The lab seeks to develop a comprehensive suite of learning and training materials that will empower youth civil society organisations and activists to embed safeguarding principles and practices into their work.

Purpose of the Consultancy

To design and develop context-appropriate, youth-friendly, and participatory training materials and a database on safeguarding, well-being, digital safety, and risk mitigation for youth CSOs and activists engaged under the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab. The training materials and database should enable trainers and CSOs to confidently lead sessions, promote safe environments, and address safeguarding risks proactively. The consultant will focus on:

Developing a database of resources that provide self-care support, safety, and risk mitigation strategies. This will include creating a database of services for youth CSOs to access, such as mental health services, legal assistance, and other relevant support systems. Design and deliver training materials on self-care, safety, well-being, and mental health specifically tailored for youth activists and CSOs. The training will also cover digital safety, safeguarding, and risk mitigation topics.

Objectives

Conduct a rapid needs assessment to identify knowledge gaps and training needs on safeguarding, digital safety, and well-being. Develop comprehensive, interactive, and adaptable training materials and a database that address:

• Safeguarding (sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment).
• Digital safety and ethical use of technology.
• Mental health and well-being.
• Risk mitigation in youth-led contexts.
• Develop facilitator’s guides, session plans, and handouts for each module.
• Ensure the materials and database are designed for both in-person and virtual delivery.
• Ensure that all training materials and the database are practical, adaptable, and relevant for independent use by youth CSOs within the Youth Collective, across diverse contexts
• Submit a final user guide/manual to support consistent delivery of the training.

Scope of Work

• The consultant will undertake the following tasks to ensure the successful development of a user-friendly and comprehensive database and the design of training materials for youth civil society organizations (CSOs) and activists:

Training Materials

• Needs Assessment & Planning
  1. Consult youth CSOs under the Youth Collective, YAB, and AU-EU Youth Voices Lab to identify training needs, risks, and priorities.
  2. Develop a clear work plan and methodology for designing and delivering the training materials.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  1. Engage local organisations, government bodies, YAB, and the Youth Collective to identify and gather relevant safeguarding, safety, and well-being resources.
  2. Ensure co-creation and feedback with youth groups.
• Training Materials Development
  1. Develop practical, youth-friendly modules covering safeguarding, digital safety, mental health, and risk mitigation.
  2. Create facilitator guides, handouts, case studies, session plans, and slides.
  3. Ensure content is inclusive, youth-friendly and culturally responsive.
• Finalisation & Handover
  Submit final training materials in editable formats with a clear user guide/manual for consistent delivery.

Database

• Needs Assessment & Planning
  Assess Youth Collective CSOs’ needs and priorities for the database.
  Develop a detailed work plan, timeline, and approach for database design.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Data Collection
  1. Gather safeguarding, safety, and well-being resources through consultation with local partners, YAB members, and CSOs (Youth Collective).
  2. Ensure a broad mix of policies, guidelines, directories of service providers, and support organizations.
• Database Design & Development
  1. Build an easy-to-use, accessible database, structured with clear categories and search functions.
  2. Include input from consultations with the YAB members and youth CSOs under the Youth Collective input to ensure practical usability.
• Data Entry & Validation
  Organise and enter data accurately, checking for relevance and completeness.
• Quality Assurance & Testing
  1. Enter and organise the collected data into the database, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and logical structure.
  2. Perform testing with input from YAB members and CSOs under the youth collective to ensure the database is aligned with their practical needs and preferences.
• Capacity Building & Handover
  Provide training (where required) to relevant staff on using and maintaining the database effectively.
• Reporting
  Provide progress updates and submit a final report detailing processes, including how consultations with the YAB and youth CSOs under the youth collective shaped the deliverables, challenges encountered, solutions implemented, and recommendations for sustainability.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following key outputs:

• Detailed Work Plan and Timeline
  A structured work plan outlining the consultant’s approach, methodology, key milestones, and timeline for the completion of each phase of the consultancy. This plan should also include engagement sessions with key stakeholders and scheduled progress check-ins.
• Comprehensive Database of Safeguarding, Safety, and Well-being Resources
  Development of a structured, accessible, and user-friendly database containing up-to-date policies, protocols, tools, referral mechanisms, and learning resources related to safeguarding, safety, and well-being. The database should be categorized appropriately to support staff and volunteers in various contexts across the organisation.
• User Guide and Documentation for the Database
  Preparation of a user manual or guide that clearly explains how to navigate, update, and use the database. This should include troubleshooting tips, user permissions guidance, and maintenance recommendations to ensure sustainability and ongoing relevance.
• Training Session for Relevant Staff
  Facilitation of at least one training session (in-person or virtual) to build the capacity of relevant staff members on how to effectively access and use the database. The training should include practical demonstrations and allow time for feedback and questions.
• Final Report on the Consultancy
  A detailed final report summarising the consultant’s activities, key findings, achievements, challenges faced, and recommendations for future use and improvement of the database  related systems. This report should include annexes with relevant tools, training materials, and a summary of stakeholder feedback gathered during the consultancy.

Requirements

The ideal consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Proven experience in database development and management.
• Expertise in safeguarding, safety, and well-being in the context of the specified regions.
• Strong research and data collection skills.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools for database development.
• Strong communication and training skills.
• It is preferred that the consultant can communicate effectively with youth civil society organizations in non English speaking intervention countries, as being able to engage with French, Portuguese, or Arabic-speaking partners is considered an asset.
• Reporting:  The consultant will be supervised by Restless Development Zambia, including regular follow-up meetings, to ensure that the documents and videos produced by the consultant are reviewed and approved by Restless Development Zambia. The consultant’s work will have to satisfy Restless Development.

Assignment Location

The consultancy will focus on developing resources and tools that serve young people across the African continent. The database and training materials will be designed to address the needs of youth civil society organizations (CSOs) and activists operating in diverse cultural, social, and geographic contexts across all regions of Africa. The consultant should ensure inclusivity and adaptability to cater to the varied challenges and priorities of youth in both urban and rural settings.

The consultant should be based in Zambia.

Budget & Payment Schedule

Restless Development will make available a maximum budget of ZMW 274,989.86, tax inclusive, to the successful consultant for the successful completion of the deliverables outlined. The successful consultant shall be expected to design a work plan and corresponding budget to be appended to these Terms of Reference and approved by Restless Development before work commences.

The consultant will issue invoices to Restless Development following the delivery of the outputs.

• 50% of the total budget at the start of consulting.
• Balance payment following completion and approval by Restless Development of all agreed deliverables

All payments will be subject to satisfactory progress and approval by Restless Development, in line with agreed timelines and quality expectations.

Expression of Interest Submission

Interested consultants are invited to submit their proposals, including a detailed work plan, methodology, budget, and CV/resume, to Restless Development via email at [email protected]. The deadline for applications is 19th August 2025. Consultants must list three references who can attest to the consultant’s experience and expertise related to this organization and TOR.

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property rights and ownership of the deliverables will be transferred to Restless Development Zambia upon completion and acceptance.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Consultants are strongly encouraged to review the Terms of Reference (ToR) to ensure a clear understanding of the expected deliverables before applying.