UNFPA Consultant on Social and Gender Norms Change to Prevent GBV

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and population issues. 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 committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, and it plays a crucial role in addressing issues related to gender-based violence (GBV) and social norms that perpetuate inequality.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to map and document interventions focused on changing social and gender norms to prevent and address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region. The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive framework for documenting effective strategies, creating regional guidance, and designing a practical Social Norms Assessment Tool. This role requires a deep understanding of the regional context and the ability to synthesize evidence-based practices to support UNFPA Country Offices in their efforts to implement and monitor GBV prevention initiatives. The consultant will work closely with the Regional Gender Adviser and the extended Gender Team to ensure that the interventions are contextually relevant and aligned with global evidence and strategic priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will conduct a thorough literature review of global, regional, and country-level documents related to social and gender norms change and GBV prevention. They will identify effective tools, indicators, and methodologies that have been successful in promoting social and gender norms change. The consultant will map existing interventions at both the Country Office and Regional Office levels, focusing on identifying best practices and programmatic gaps. They will draft a comprehensive regional guidance document that aligns with UNFPA’s interventions and develop a user-friendly Social Norms Assessment Tool that includes qualitative and quantitative measures of change. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering key reports and updates on progress, challenges, and support needed throughout the consultancy period.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Gender Studies, Sociology, Social Anthropology, Public Policy, International Development, or a related social science field. They should have a minimum of 7-10 years of relevant professional experience in programming and evaluating gender equality initiatives, particularly those focused on social norms change and harmful practices. Experience in designing assessment tools and monitoring frameworks is essential, along with a strong familiarity with the EECA regional context and UNFPA frameworks. Excellent research, analytical, writing, and communication skills are required, as well as the ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within strict timelines.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree, either a Master's or a Ph.D., in fields related to gender studies, sociology, social anthropology, public policy, international development, or other relevant social sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender norms and their impact on society, particularly in the context of GBV prevention.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 7-10 years of professional experience in areas related to gender equality, social norms change, or initiatives aimed at addressing harmful practices. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the consultant can effectively contribute to the development of assessment tools and frameworks that are both practical and evidence-based. Familiarity with the EECA region and UNFPA's programmatic frameworks is also essential for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, a working knowledge of Russian is considered a distinct advantage, as it may facilitate communication and understanding within the regional context.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for approximately 50 working days over a period of three months, with the work being conducted remotely or home-based. The consultant will be responsible for delivering key reports and updates on their progress, and all deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the UNFPA Regional Gender Adviser. There is no expected travel for this position, and the work environment at UNFPA promotes gender equality, diversity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.