Individual Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is a leading global organization that promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights. 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 focuses on improving access to reproductive health services, advocating for gender equality, and supporting population data collection and analysis to inform policy and program decisions. UNFPA collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and other UN agencies, to implement programs that address the needs of marginalized populations and promote health equity. In the Philippines, UNFPA works closely with the Department of Health to enhance health promotion strategies and improve access to sexual and reproductive health services for all.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position aims to provide technical and programmatic support to the Department of Health – Health Promotion Bureau (DOH-HPB) in the development of two key products: the SRHR Playbook for Marginalized Populations and the Campus CRUSH Toolkit. The consultant will be responsible for synthesizing research findings, developing operational frameworks, and creating localized adaptation tools to address the barriers faced by marginalized populations in accessing sexual and reproductive health services. The consultant will also work on empowering university students through the Campus CRUSH Toolkit, which aims to integrate sexual and reproductive health education into campus life and foster peer-to-peer engagement. This role requires a deep understanding of the social and behavioral change strategies necessary to effectively reach and engage diverse populations, particularly those facing inequities in health access. The consultant will collaborate with various stakeholders, including local government units, civil society organizations, and educational institutions, to ensure that the developed products are practical, evidence-informed, and tailored to the specific needs of the target populations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Conducting a behavioral diagnosis and strategy selection to identify priority behaviors and barriers to access for marginalized populations, utilizing behavioral models such as COM-B or FBM.
• Developing operational and financial frameworks that outline innovative service delivery methods, including mobile outreach and targeted messaging, while integrating a financial navigation guide for clients.
• Creating localized adaptation tools, including contextualization checklists and templates for community engagement, specifically designed for indigenous communities, persons with disabilities, and the extreme poor.
• Facilitating co-creation workshops with stakeholders to validate the playbook and pilot its implementation in selected municipalities.
• Producing the Campus CRUSH Toolkit, which includes guidance on social and behavior change strategies, peer empowerment initiatives, and institutional integration within university settings.
• Supporting the design and demand generation of the toolkit to ensure it resonates with a youth audience.
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the developed products, ensuring they meet the needs of the target populations and contribute to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Philippines.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a senior consultant with extensive expertise in social and behavior change (SBC) and health promotion. Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Public Health, Health Promotion, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Communication for Development, or a related field. A minimum of 7-10 years of relevant experience in health promotion programming, particularly in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), family planning, adolescent health, and maternal health is essential. The consultant should have demonstrated experience in developing playbooks, toolkits, and operational guidelines for local government units (LGUs) or health systems in the Philippines. Strong technical writing and editing skills in English are required, with proficiency in Filipino/Tagalog being an advantage. Familiarity with the Eastern Visayas/Samar and Southern Leyte context is highly preferred, as is the ability to supervise multimedia design and production of communication materials.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced degree in a relevant field such as Public Health, Health Promotion, Social/Behavioral Sciences, or Communication for Development. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of health promotion and the social determinants of health that impact access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have at least 7-10 years of relevant experience in social and behavior change communication, health promotion, and public health programming, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights, family planning, adolescent health, and maternal health. Experience in developing practical implementation tools and translating research findings into actionable strategies is essential. The consultant should also have a strong understanding of the Philippine public health system and the specific challenges faced by marginalized populations in accessing health services.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong technical writing and editing skills required. Proficiency in Filipino/Tagalog is considered an advantage, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to engage with diverse populations. Familiarity with local dialects may also be beneficial in certain contexts.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 70 days, from May 2026 to December 2026, with a hybrid work arrangement that allows for both on-site and remote work. The consultant will be required to deliver outputs primarily in electronic format, following an agreed workplan and timelines. The consultancy will be compensated on a tranche payment basis, with specific deliverables expected at various stages of the project. Travel to project sites may be required, subject to prior approval and adherence to UNFPA and DOH-HPB travel policies. The consultant will work closely with the DOH-HPB and UNFPA to ensure that the developed products are effectively implemented and contribute to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the Philippines.