NATIONAL CONSULTANT: To Conduct a Study on Lessons Learned, Best Practices, and Evidence Generation for the Economic Empowerment Pilot Initiative in Koshi Province, Nepal

Koshi Province, Nepal specifically selected Palikas in Morang and Udayapur Districts (Biratnagar Metropolitan City of Morang, Triyuga and Katari Municipality of Udayapur).
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive and deeply rooted issue in Koshi Province, with over 27% of women having experienced physical, sexual, or psychosocial violence exceeding the national average of 23%. Survivors of GBV often face formidable barriers to economic independence, including psychosocial trauma, limited skills, restricted access to formal employment, and dependence on extended family networks linked to perpetrators.

UNFPA, in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE), is implementing the GBV Prevention and Response Phase II (GBVPR II) project (2020–2026). As part of this initiative, a 10-month Economic Empowerment Pilot Initiative is being implemented in selected Palikas of Koshi Province. The pilot is structured around three outputs:

• Output 1: Public and private partnerships formed to create employment pathways for GBV survivors and marginalized women.
• Output 2: Strengthened local government systems for utilization of existing survivor funds (including the GBV Elimination Fund) for skills and employability training.
• Output 3: Research, tracking, and evidence generation for policy advocacy and scale-up.

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a specialized study encompassing:

• A rapid assessment of the pilot initiative as implemented in selected Palikas.
• Systematic documentation of lessons learned and best practices from all pilot activities.
• Consultative evidence generation, including engagement with local governments, private sector, and GBV survivors.
• Formulation of concrete, actionable policy recommendations for provincial and local governments.
   

The scope of work will include, but not be limited to, the following key activities:

A. Desk Review and Data Collection Strategy:

• Review program documentation, planning materials, monitoring data, and available secondary sources pertaining to the pilot and the broader economic landscape of target Palikas.
• Review existing literature, government policies, and private sector analyses pertaining to the economic landscape, labor market trends, and vocational training initiatives in Koshi Province.

B. Stakeholder Consultations and Data Collection:

• Conduct key informant interviews with local business owners, private sector representatives, Employment Coordinators, and Vocational Training Institutes to document practical lessons learned, successful approaches, and challenges encountered in creating inclusive employment pathways during the pilot phase.
• Engage with cooperatives, micro-enterprises, and social enterprises to capture best practices, replicable models, and operational experiences in integrating marginalized women and GBV survivors into their workforce or value chains under the pilot initiative.
• Consult with relevant government departments at the local and provincial levels (e.g., Economic Development Units, Employment Coordinators, Vocational Training Institutes) to document how existing employment programs, GESI-responsive resources, and GBV-related funds were utilized, adapted, or constrained during pilot implementation, including lessons for institutional strengthening.
• Collect and synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence from pilot implementation to identify what worked, what did not, and why focusing on sectors and approaches that demonstrated effective, inclusive, and scalable employment outcomes for women from vulnerable and socially excluded groups.

C. Analysis and Report Writing:

• Analyze the collected data to synthesize key evidence from the pilot phase, highlighting effective approaches, replicable models, and practical lessons that supported economic empowerment of GBV survivors and marginalized women.
• Identify and document successful and scalable income-generating opportunities, employment pathways, and sectoral practices that demonstrated tangible results and potential for replication by local and provincial governments Systematically document lessons learned, best practices, capacity gaps, and implementation challenges, with clear articulation of enabling  and  limiting  factors  influencing  outcomes Develop actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations for local and provincial governments to support replication, scale-up, and institutionalization of effective models and approaches identified during the pilot phase.

D. Dissemination and Advocacy:

• Prepare and deliver a presentation of the key findings and recommendations to UNFPA, local and provincial government officials, private sector stakeholders, and other relevant partners through structured advocacy meetings.
• Facilitate discussions  with  Government  and  other  stakeholders  to strengthen government commitment, foster integrated planning, and secure private sector partnerships and resource allocation within municipal budgets for employment programs targeting marginalized women and GBV survivors.
   

This study requires a qualified individual consultant with a strong understanding of gender equality, GBV, economic empowerment, and research/evidence generation, particularly within the context of Nepal.
 

• Master's degree in Social Science, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field.

• Proven expertise (minimum 5 years) in conducting high-quality research, evaluations, rapid assessments, or documentation studies in at least two of the following areas:
  • Survivor-centered programming
  • Economic empowerment, livelihoods, and decent work
  • Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)
  • Private sector engagement in development contexts
  • Research and evidence generation for policy advocacy
• Demonstrated experience in generating evidence for policy advocacy and scale-up in Nepal.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, particularly local governments and provincial bodies in Nepal; preference given to experience in Koshi Province.
• Experience conducting survivor-centered and trauma-informed research with vulnerable populations, especially GBV survivors and marginalized communities (Dalit, indigenous, women with disabilities).
• Proven experience in documenting lessons learned, best practices, and producing policy-oriented products for development organizations and UN agencies.

• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills in English; ability to produce clear, professional, policy-grade reports and presentations.
• Proficiency in Nepali (written and spoken) required for stakeholder consultations and document review.
• Familiarity with GESI-responsive research methodologies and ethical research standards.
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis, and report writing.
• Competency in qualitative data analysis; experience with qualitative analysis software is an asset.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali required. Knowledge of local languages/dialects spoken in Koshi Province is highly desirable.

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change,

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

• Excellent analytical, research, and report-writing skills
• Strong communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, meeting deadlines
• Strong commitment to gender equality, human rights, and protection of vulnerable populations
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills.

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, visa issuance 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. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.