Consultant for M&E of Advocacy and Policy Engagement

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, and its mission is to ensure that every individual has access to the necessary resources and support to achieve their reproductive goals. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes three transformative results: ending preventable maternal deaths, fulfilling unmet needs for family planning, and eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices. The organization is committed to addressing the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' health and rights, and it actively engages with member states and partners to build a better future for all.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to enhance the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of advocacy and policy engagement (APE) within UNFPA Country Offices. Following a previous consultancy in 2025, which developed methodological guidance for M&E, this role will involve refining and contextualizing these tools to better suit the needs of various country contexts. The consultant will engage with Country Offices to document lessons learned, provide support in adopting the M&E tools, and conduct learning sessions to facilitate the effective use of the guidance. The complexity of policy influencing necessitates a nuanced approach to outcome measurement, and this consultancy seeks to address the challenges associated with traditional M&E methods. The consultant will play a crucial role in ensuring that the advocacy efforts of UNFPA are effectively captured and evaluated, thereby contributing to the organization's overall mission and strategic goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conduct follow-up communications with Country Offices, including those that piloted the M&E tools, to discuss their experiences and monitor the use of the guidance shared in December 202
• Administer an online survey to gather feedback from Country Offices regarding the guidance and their experiences, identifying areas for clarification or modification.
• Assist additional Country Offices in adopting or developing new M&E tools based on their specific needs and strategic considerations.
• Revise the existing guidance and prepare a comprehensive report on the experiences to date.
• Facilitate two learning sessions that engage participating Country Offices in discussions about their experiences and the application of the guidance.
• Optionally, conduct interviews with key partners to gain insights into the advocacy and policy engagement process and the M&E guidance.
• If requested, make an in-person visit to a participating country for in-depth discussions and workshops.
• Write a journal article detailing the incorporation of a rigorous M&E approach to UNFPA's advocacy and policy engagement work in the Asia/Pacific region, subject to approval by UNFPA APRO and the Ethics Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of a Master's degree in public health, political and social sciences, development studies, gender studies, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in policy influencing and monitoring and evaluating policy outcomes is required. The consultant should have a strong analytical background, excellent writing skills, and demonstrated leadership in developing methodological guidance and facilitating learning sessions on M&E of advocacy and policy engagement. Flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently are essential attributes for this role. Fluency in English, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills, is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The position requires a minimum of a Master's degree in relevant fields such as public health, political and social sciences, development studies, gender studies, or a closely related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of policy influencing and the methodologies used in monitoring and evaluation.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 10 years of professional experience in the field of policy influencing, with a strong focus on monitoring and evaluating policy outcomes. Experience working in the Asia and Pacific region is highly desirable, as it will provide valuable context for the consultancy. The consultant should also demonstrate a history of developing methodological guidance and facilitating learning sessions related to M&E in advocacy and policy engagement.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, with excellent written and verbal communication skills. While English is the mandatory language, proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Asia/Pacific region may be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to span 30 days from May 1, 2026, to November 30, 202

• The consultant will work remotely and is expected to provide a work plan detailing the actual number of days within the maximum limit. The consultancy will be compensated on a lump sum basis, calculated based on the number of working days multiplied by the daily rate. Regular updates and check-ins with the APRO Regional Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Adviser will be required to track progress and ensure alignment with deliverables. Optional travel may be included for in-depth analysis and support, contingent on the interest of Country Offices to cover travel costs.