Consultant on FGM evidence-based advocacy and accountability

Purpose of consultancy

How you can make a difference

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

Scope of work: An estimated 80 million girls and women in Asia have undergone Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), accounting for approximately 35% of the global burden. Despite its high prevalence across South and Southeast Asia—including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and others—the region remains underrepresented in global discussions due to limited political visibility, sensitive cultural contexts, and a growing trend toward the medicalization of the practice.

Under the DFAT-supported TUSIP initiative, UNFPA and UNICEF are jointly implementing the regional programme "Breaking the Silence: Increasing Accountability on Addressing Female Genital Mutilation in South-East Asia" (2024–2028). The programme aims to accelerate progress toward SDG 5.3 by strengthening regional accountability, generating robust evidence, supporting civil society movements, and shifting social and gender norms.

In the first half of 2026, the programme undertook a mid term review which featured key recommendations on strengthening knowledge management across countries in the region and elevate the regional accountability framework (RAF) to a flagship initiative for regional and global impact.

• Develop a mapping of “who does what” among CSOs in the region
• Support the geo-visualization of the mapping, linking it with the implementation of Regional Accountability Framework
• Support the operationalization of the Regional FGM Accountability Framework to monitor national and regional commitments toward eliminating harmful practices.
• Develop tools and tracking mechanisms for regional coalitions to monitor institutional commitments, human rights reporting, and legal compliance across focus countries.
• Coordinate the organization of at least 4 strategic dialogues, knowledge-exchange webinars, and peer-learning workshops for UNFPA country offices, the Asia Network to End FGM/C and other partners.
• Support the review and synthesize recent regional research, national datasets, and thematic studies on FGM/C in Asia (including medicalization trends, social norms, and legal barriers) to disseminate findings widely and increase awareness on FGM/C in Asia.
• Draft evidence-based Advocacy Briefs, Technical Notes, and Policy Messages tailored for key decision-makers, regional bodies (e.g., ASEAN), healthcare associations, and faith-based leaders.
• Support evidence-based advocacy, through including findings from existing research in agenda, presentations for advocacy events, such as SVRI, Ministerial Conference on VAC, APFDS, CSW and others.

Duration and working schedule

Expected Deliverables and Payment Schedule

1 session at SVRI,

3 days partnership meeting,

• 1 Session at Ministerial conference on VAC

Monitoring and progress control

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 directly report to UNFPA APRO GBV Specialist with overall supervision from GBV Advisor.

Required expertise, qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Human Rights, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Experience in research synthesis, drafting policy briefs, factsheets, or technical reports.
• Experience on researching/advocacy on FGM, GBV, Harmful Practices is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating meetings, workshops, networks, or multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Prior exposure to topics related to FGM/C, harmful practices, or social norm change in the Asia-Pacific region is a strong asset.
• Experience with UN system operations, gender programming, or DFAT-funded projects is desirable.
• Previous experience with UNFPA is an asset.
• Strong drafting skills in English, with the ability to turn complex research into clear, concise text.
• Excellent time management, file organization, and task tracking skills.

UNFPA Work Environment

Disclaimer

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.