Consultant to Conduct Research on the Misuse of Technology to Facilitate Child Marriage

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Position Title: Consultant to Conduct Research on the Misuse of Technology to Facilitate Child Marriage
Location: Remote
Country: Remote
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that 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 committed to addressing global challenges such as maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of evidence-based programming and advocacy to combat harmful practices like child marriage, which is a significant barrier to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will be responsible for conducting comprehensive research on how technology is misused to facilitate child marriage. This role is crucial in generating evidence that will inform programming and policy decisions aimed at combating this issue. The consultant will engage in a desk review of existing literature, develop a study methodology, and collect data through interviews and focus groups. The research will explore the interpersonal and societal factors contributing to technology-facilitated child marriage, aiming to identify patterns, risks, and effective interventions. The consultant will work closely with UNFPA and its partners to ensure that the findings are relevant and actionable, ultimately contributing to the organization's mission of ending harmful practices against women and girls.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a desk review to identify relevant materials, reports, and studies on the misuse of technology in facilitating child marriage.
• Present recommendations to refine research questions based on the desk review findings.
• Develop a study methodology and data collection tools to explore the means and actors involved in technology-facilitated child marriage.
• Collaborate with UNFPA Regional Office and Country Office Focal Points to identify key stakeholders and informants for data collection.
• Conduct focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) both remotely and onsite.
• Travel to five selected countries for data collection and consultations.
• Produce a comprehensive report documenting findings, patterns, and recommendations for policy and programming.
• Facilitate an online webinar to share findings with UNFPA and UNICEF teams and partners.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, GBV, or social work.
• At least seven years of specialized experience in research related to gender-based violence and harmful practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of gender norms and socioeconomic factors driving child marriage through research or programming.
• Experience in data science, digital analysis, or online threat analysis relevant to technology-facilitated violence.
• Excellent research, interviewing, and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in diverse cultural environments.
• Previous experience with UNFPA is an asset.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, gender studies, gender-based violence, or social work is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities surrounding child marriage and the socio-cultural factors that contribute to it.

Experience:
The consultant must have at least seven years of specialized experience in research related to gender-based violence and harmful practices. This experience should include a strong understanding of the gender norms and socioeconomic factors that drive child marriage, as well as expertise in data science and digital analysis relevant to technology-facilitated violence. Previous experience working in the Asia Pacific region and with UNFPA is considered an asset.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not required. The ability to communicate effectively in English is crucial for conducting interviews, writing reports, and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based with an expected duration of 80 working days, concluding on October 31, 202

• The consultant will develop a work plan in consultation with the UNFPA APRO GBV team. Travel to UNFPA Country Offices will be required, and travel expenses will be covered by UNFPA according to UN Official Travel Rules and Regulations. The consulting fee will be paid based on deliverables, with payments made in two installments upon acceptance of the deliverables by UNFPA.