International Consultant to Document Successful Programming on Addressing Harmful Practices

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 has a mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. With a workforce of thousands of employees, UNFPA focuses on empowering individuals and communities to make informed choices about their reproductive health and to advocate for gender equality and the elimination of harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will play a crucial role in analyzing, synthesizing, and documenting regional evidence regarding the shifting social norms around child marriage and FGM. This position is integral to UNFPA's Strategic Plan (2026–2029), which aims to accelerate the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. The consultant will be responsible for generating seven high-impact strategic knowledge products and advocacy briefs that will showcase UNFPA's investments in addressing social norms. The consultant will work closely with the UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office (APRO) to ensure that the documentation of successful approaches and lessons learned from UNFPA-supported interventions is comprehensive and impactful. This role requires a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding harmful practices and the ability to communicate findings effectively to various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's primary duties will include:

• Analyzing and synthesizing regional evidence on child marriage and FGM, focusing on social norms.
• Generating seven strategic knowledge products and advocacy briefs, including: a. Mapping funding pathways and identifying catalytic funding impacts. b. Utilizing case studies to demonstrate adaptive management during crises. c. Balancing qualitative and quantitative data on community behavior changes. d. Documenting evidence-based approaches to end FGM in Indonesia. e. Mapping organizational mandates and comparative advantages. f. Constructing a framework for drivers of child marriage and strategic interventions. g. Developing a regional brief on pronatalism and child marriage.
• Accompanying at least four countries in measuring social norms change initiatives through a harmonized tool.
• Developing a workplan in consultation with the UNFPA APRO GBV team and adhering to the timeline for deliverables.
• Participating in validation workshops and providing reports on the findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced degree (Ph.D. or Master's) in Gender Studies, Sociology, Human Rights, Public Health, or International Development. Additionally, candidates must have at least ten years of relevant experience in research and programming related to harmful practices and social norms change. Demonstrated experience in managing and conducting research, as well as writing clear and concise policy briefs for high-level institutional donors, is essential. Strong writing and documentation skills are a must, along with proficiency in English.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree, either a Ph.D. or a Master's, in a relevant field such as Gender Studies, Sociology, Human Rights, Public Health, or International Development. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of social norms and harmful practices, as well as for conducting high-level research and analysis.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in research and programming focused on addressing harmful practices and changing social norms. This experience should include managing and conducting research projects, documenting programs related to social norms change, and working with organizations like UNFPA or UNICEF on similar issues. The consultant should also have a proven track record of writing policy briefs and strategic documents for institutional donors.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages relevant to the Asia-Pacific region may be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and will span a total of 155 working days from November 1, 2026, to October 30, 202

• The consultant will be compensated in four installments based on the acceptance of deliverables by UNFPA APRO. The work environment at UNFPA promotes gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.