Consultant on Digital Monitoring and Analysis of Narratives on TFGBV, FGM and CEFM

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNFPA APRO’s GBV and Harmful Practices team to conduct digital monitoring and analysis on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), female genital mutilation (FGM), and child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) to understand how social media frame, amplify or contest narratives around these issues.

The consultant will contribute to the regional effort to strengthen approaches addressing TFGBV, FGM and CEFM. The consultant will work closely with UNFPA APRO GBV team, UNICEF and the following UNFPA Country Offices based on the areas of focus;

• FGM related narratives
  • India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka 
• CEFM related narratives
  • Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines 
• TFGBV related narratives
  • Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand

While technology offers innovative solutions for the prevention of GBV and harmful practices, it also introduces significant risks that can amplify and exacerbate these issues. To monitor social media and generate real-time data on narratives surrounding them, UNFPA Data and Analytic Branch has established Demographic Intelligence from Open Sources  (DIOS), an AI and machine learning  platform that monitors social media and online discourse across UNFPA mandate areas. The consultant will assist in generating regular insights into the digital discourse in Asia, explore AI trend use, utilize findings from 2015  to 2026 to support the development of dashboard and analytical reports for DIOS. Data will be collected from multiple digital platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, telegram and YouTube and other social media channels.

The expected deliverable strengthen DIOS monitoring capacity by refining keyword filters, lexicons, and analytic approaches to capture narratives on TFGBV, FGM and CEFM in South and Southeast Asia more effectively. This will be done by focusing on identifying, analyzing, and generating summaries of mapping narratives, including pushbacks, in the regional milieu. The findings will inform advocacy, communications, and programmatic interventions at the country, regional, and global levels.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Examine the AI use trend in TFGBV, FGM, CEFM related narratives on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, telegram and YouTube and other social media channels.
• Identify digital spaces where discussions around TFGBV, FGM and CEFM, particularly pushback narratives, are prevalent to inform DIOS in the region
  • Build on the existing filtering systems to enable identifying narratives related to TFGBV, FGM, and CEFM
  • Build on the analysis and display of DIOS
  • Examine the nature, content, and evolution of narratives, arguments, and misinformation circulating online, including key actors, influencers, and groups (both individuals and organizations) driving or supporting pushback narratives.
  • Analyze the reach, engagement, and impact of these narratives within Asia 

Support in the development of a report that summarizes findings with actionable recommendations based on digital space analysis

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

The consultant/Agency will undertake the following tasks:

1. Inception phase & methodology development:

• Develop a detailed inception report outlining the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline for the consultancy.
• Propose appropriate digital filtering terminologies and techniques to capture narratives and if applicable, determine the scale of pushback. Refine the list of keywords, hashtags, and online communities to be monitored
• Propose analytics and display of analytics on data monitoring platforms (EIOS, UNFPA-UNICEF JPDHIS2, etc.)
• Establish ethical guidelines and data privacy protocols for online monitoring and analysis 

2. Digital and online discourse monitoring & analysis:

• Support the development of data monitoring platforms (EIOS, DHIS2 etc) to:
  • Systematically monitor and collect data,
  • Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative analysis of collected data to identify:
    • Dominant narratives and themes related to TFGBV, FGM, and CEFM, both pro-abandonment and pushback.
    • Specific arguments, justifications, and misinformation used to promote or defend TFGBV, FGM, and CEFM e.g.arguments for harmful practices as a religious or cultural imperative, attempts for digital harm, and efforts to undermine legal bans or community declarations.
    • Geographic and demographic distribution of these narratives (where feasible).
    • Key influencers, opinion leaders, and organizations (religious, traditional, political, etc.) actively shaping the discourse.
    • Emerging trends, shifts in sentiment, and new forms of resistance or support.
• Generate the first report on focused areas, regional narratives supporting and facilitating the narrative. 
• Lexicon Support: To support the accuracy and contextual relevance of the research, the team will provide the consultant with a contextually specific lexicon related to TFGBV, CEFM, and FGM. This lexicon will include locally used terminology, euphemisms, and culturally specific expressions to inform the identification, tracking, and analysis of relevant discourse across digital platforms.

3. Reporting

• Inception report
• 3 Draft and final analytical reports on FGM, CEFM and TFGBV with findings and recommendations 
• Slide-deck with key findings and recommendations
• Presentation in 3 regional webinars

Duration and working schedule:

The duration of consultancy will be 60 working days spread over 9 months, starting from 15 September 2026 to 30 June 2027. The selected consultant will develop a workplan in consultation with the UNFPA APRO GBV team.

Place where services are to be dlivered:  The assignment is home-based and travel is not required.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

Basic of payment: A lump sum fee will be paid in three instalments upon completion and acceptance of deliverables by UNFPA APRO.  Payments will be made in installments (total 3 installments) based on supervisor approval of each deliverable.

Each payment will be released upon submission and formal acceptance of the corresponding deliverable by the GBV Technical Specialist, UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO), in line with the agreed deliverable schedule.

Deliverable 1: Timeline: by the 30th of September 2026

Inception report including methodology, tools, and work plan. Scanning and analysis of social media to detect and monitor pushbacks and online activism.

Deliverable 2: Timeline: by the 15th of December 2026

• Analytical updates: summary of key findings and trends and virtual meeting with teams
• Three draft reports on TFGBV, FGM, and CEFM digital narratives in target countries.
• 3 slide decks to present preliminary findings 

Deliverable 3: Timeline: by the 15th of June 2027 

• Final reports: comprehensive analysis and recommendations. Final reports detailing findings and strategic recommendations for engaging with social media platforms and strengthening UNFPA advocacy.
• Final slide decks.
• Presentation in 3 regional webinars

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
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.   

Supervisory arrangements: The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the GBV technical specialist at UNFPA APRO, in close coordination with the Gender/GBV focal points in UNFPA Country Offices and relevant partners (e.g., UNICEF Center of Excellence).

Required qualifications:

Education:
Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science or other relevant field.

Experience and Skills:

• Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Communications, Media Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Gender Studies, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in digital communications, social media analysis, online discourse monitoring, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting research and analysis on sensitive social issues, preferably related to GBV, FGM, CEFM, or human rights.
  • Proven expertise in using social listening tools, data analytics platforms, and qualitative/quantitative research methodologies for online data.
  • Familiarity with the socio-cultural and political contexts related to pushbacks on FGM elimination
  • Experience working with UN agencies or international development organizations is an asset.
• Skills:
  • Excellent analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
  • Proficiency in relevant software and digital tools for data collection, analysis, and visualization.
  • Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
  • High ethical standards and sensitivity to cultural nuances and gender issues

• English proficiency is mandatory.

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 may be subject to background and reference checks, 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.