National Consultant for Gender Integration and Research

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population issues. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, working to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization is committed to achieving transformative results in ending preventable maternal deaths, unmet needs for family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2026-2029 emphasizes the importance of addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to health services and rights, while also promoting ethical standards and human rights.

Job Overview:
The position of National Consultant is crucial for UNFPA Cambodia as it seeks to address the pressing issues of child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and adolescent pregnancies. The consultant will play a key role in conducting qualitative research through key informant interviews and focus group discussions, contributing to a multi-country scoping review on masculinities and CEFM. This role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Youth Programme Specialist at UNFPA Cambodia and the APRO GBV team, ensuring that the research aligns with UNFPA's strategic goals. The consultant will also be responsible for collecting data on the costs of interventions aimed at addressing CEFM at the subnational level, thereby supporting evidence-based policy development and program implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will lead the approval process from the National Health Ethical Committee in Cambodia for the research activities, ensuring compliance with all necessary protocols. Responsibilities include participating in planning meetings, generating a list of key informants, scheduling interviews, and organizing focus group discussions. The consultant will translate research tools into Khmer, conduct interviews, and facilitate discussions while taking detailed notes. After each data collection day, the consultant will identify key themes and code notes in a shared spreadsheet. A four-page summary of findings and recommendations will be generated, and the consultant will participate in a participatory analysis workshop to contribute to qualitative analysis and regional strategy recommendations. Additionally, the consultant will lead data collection on intervention costs related to CEFM and adolescent pregnancy.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in social sciences or a related field such as women's studies or gender and development. A minimum of 2 years of experience in gender integration work with civil society organizations or international NGOs is required, along with experience in qualitative research methods, including interviews and focus group discussions. A strong technical foundation in gender issues, social sciences, public health, and global development is essential. The candidate should demonstrate integrity, the ability to work in a team environment, and the capacity to multi-task while fostering inclusivity.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Master's Degree in social sciences or a related field, which provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to engage in gender integration and research effectively. This educational background is critical for understanding the complexities of gender issues and their intersection with health and development.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant experience in gender integration work, particularly with civil society organizations or international NGOs. This experience should include qualitative research methodologies, capacity building on gender and women's rights, and a solid understanding of gender analysis and integration.

Languages:
Fluency in Khmer and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in both languages is essential for conducting interviews, facilitating discussions, and ensuring effective communication with diverse stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, which may be short-term or project-based. UNFPA emphasizes a commitment to gender equality and diversity, encouraging applications from women and underrepresented groups, including individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization promotes equal opportunities in recruitment and training, ensuring a supportive work environment that reflects its values of integrity and diversity. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.