Consultant to Support the Development of Standard Operational Procedures for GBV in Emergency

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading agency within the United Nations system that focuses on advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is dedicated to promoting reproductive health and rights, and it plays a crucial role in addressing gender-based violence (GBV) through various programs and initiatives. In Turkmenistan, UNFPA collaborates with the government to implement the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2021-2025, focusing on advocacy, policy-making, and strengthening multi-sectoral responses to GBV.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the multi-sectoral response (MSR) to gender-based violence in emergency situations. This role is critical in enhancing the effectiveness of GBV response mechanisms in Turkmenistan, particularly in light of the ongoing regional project aimed at strengthening prevention and response to violence against women and girls. The consultant will conduct a comprehensive literature and desk review, draft the SOPs incorporating international best practices, and facilitate a validation workshop with national stakeholders to ensure the SOPs are tailored to the local context. The consultant will work closely with the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Gender and Youth and will be supported by a national consultant for logistical and contextual assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a literature and desk review of national legislation, the National Action Plan on Gender Equality (NAPGE) 2021-2025 assessment, existing SOPs for MSR to GBV, and international standards for GBV in emergencies. This task is expected to take 2 working days.
• Draft the GBViE SOPs, ensuring they include survivor-centered case management, multi-sectoral referral pathways, and sector-specific responsibilities across health, social protection, safety/police, and justice sectors. This drafting phase will take approximately 3 working days.
• Organize and facilitate a validation workshop with key national stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Social Protection, Supreme Court, and the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan, to gather technical feedback and make necessary revisions. This workshop will require about 4 working days.
• Submit the finalized GBViE SOPs along with a brief consultancy report to UNFPA, which will take 1 working day. The total consultancy duration is 10 working days, spanning from February 2 to March 20, 2026.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess at least a Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Law, Social Sciences, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in developing Standard Operational Procedures for GBViE and similar documents is required, with at least 3 years dedicated to facilitating technical workshops on GBV prevention and response. The consultant should have profound knowledge of gender equality issues, GBV services, MSR, and case management, particularly in emergency contexts. Experience working in Central Asia and familiarity with the region's gender equality systems and practices will be advantageous. Excellent English speaking and writing skills are mandatory, while proficiency in Russian is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold at least a Master's Degree in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Law, or Social Sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure the consultant has the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills necessary to develop effective SOPs for GBV in emergency situations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the development of Standard Operational Procedures for GBViE and related documents. This experience should include at least 3 years of facilitating technical workshops focused on GBV prevention and response, demonstrating the consultant's ability to engage with stakeholders and translate complex concepts into actionable strategies.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent speaking and writing skills required for effective communication and documentation. Proficiency in Russian is considered beneficial, as it may facilitate interactions with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the Turkmen context.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with one mission to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, expected to last 4 days, including travel. The consultancy fee will be calculated based on the P3 Salary Scale for Professional and higher categories effective January 1, 2026, and will be paid in a lump sum upon the successful completion of all deliverables. UNFPA emphasizes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, and integrity, encouraging women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.