Consultant for Strengthening approaches to prevent GBV and child marriage among adolescents

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive multi-country review of prevention interventions for child marriage and GBV  among adolescents in Cambodia, Lao PDR and the Philippines, with concrete recommendations on how to strengthen them and how to measure their impact. The analysis will examine how global guidance has been adapted at the country level;  identify opportunities to strengthen programming that prevents GBV and child, early and forced marriages among adolescents. 

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results

UNFPA’s Strategic Plan (2026–2029) aims to accelerate the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action through four transformative outcomes:
-    Accelerated progress on meeting the unmet need for family planning.
-    Accelerated progress on ending preventable maternal deaths.
-    Accelerated progress on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, including child marriage.
-    Strengthening societal resilience by adapting to demographic change through evidence-based policies.
Outcome 3 of the Strategic Plan directly responds to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 5.3 to eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite recorded global progress, East Asia and the Pacific remain home to 95 million women and girls married before the age of 18. The 2026–2029 Strategic Plan strongly emphasizes integrated programming that bridges humanitarian and development actions. This integration ensures that support structurally reaches the most vulnerable populations navigating an era of global polycrisis.

UNFPA addresses GBV and harmful practices through policy advocacy, research, and programming, and recognizes the growing role of digital platforms in both delivering education and exposing girls to new forms of risk.

• In line with this vision, UNFPA APRO seeks an Individual Consultant to support:  
  Desk Review: The consultant will commence with a comprehensive desk review with a focus on literature that showcases key drivers for child marriage and GBV as well as specific prevention interventions to address these drivers in Cambodia, Lao PDR and the Philippines. This activity will involve reviewing national policies, curricula, and program documents to understand how these interventions are designed and implemented to address the specific drivers of child marriage and GBV. The desk review will also aim to identify promising practices and gaps in current approaches  in the country context, as feasible.
  Stakeholder Engagement and Data Collection: The consultant will develop data collection tools and will work with a team of national consultants in each country to gather the data. This phase will involve in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with organisations involved in child marriage and GBV prevention. These data collection activities will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with prevention interventions for child marriage and GBV  among adolescents.
• Gap Analysis, Opportunity Identification, Formulation of Recommendations: Based on the comprehensive review, the consultant will conduct a gap analysis to identify opportunities for enhancing programming and formulate evidence-based recommendations and strategic interventions to enhance programming and their monitoring and evaluation. 
  Development of country-specific Roadmaps to guide COs in the rollout of recommendations and the measurement framework for impact

The total duration of the consultancy will be 70 working days between 1st December 2026 - 31 October 2027 (11 months). The selected consultant will develop a workplan in consultation with the UNFPA APRO GBV team.

By 31 January 2027:  Inception Report detailing the literature review findings, data collection methodology, work plan, ToRs for national consultants and timeline for data collection should be delivered. (estimated 20 workdays)

 By 30 April 2027:  Draft Report outlining preliminary findings on the gap analysis and opportunities identification should be delivered. (estimated 20 workdays)

By 15 October 2027: below deliverables should be received.  (estimated 30 workdays)

• Final Report presenting a comprehensive analysis with case studies and actionable recommendations for strengthening programming.
• A regional webinar or dissemination event to share findings with UNFPA APRO, Country Offices, and partners, facilitating dialogue on next steps
• 3 country- specific roadmaps with actionable interventions to rollout the recommendations and at least 2 follow-up meetings with each COs to guide the rollout.
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A work plan/delivery monitoring schedule will be determined by APRO and the Consultant at the outset of the consultancy. A tracking sheet will be used to note progress against the TOR deliverables and deadlines

The payment will be made on deliverables basis and upon acceptance by UNFPA APRO.

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social sciences, gender studies, public health, education, or a related field.
  Professional Experience and Required Skills
  At least seven years of relevant experience in research or programming on comprehensive sexuality education, GBV, and/or harmful practices.
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, qualitative research, and stakeholder engagement in the Asia Pacific region.
• Familiarity with global and regional frameworks on CSE, GBV prevention, and harmful practices.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent research and interviewing skills
• Strong writing and documentation skills 
• Proficiency in English.
   

The consultant will use their personal laptop/computer.  UNFPA APRO will link the consultant to Country Office Gender/GBV focal points wherever necessary. 

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance,  and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.