CONSULTANCY ON “Multi-country scoping review on masculinities and child, early and forced marriage”

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNFPA APRO’s GBV and Harmful Practices team to advance evidence generation and develop strategic frameworks on promoting positive masculinities and strengthening gender-transformative engagement of men and boys to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) in Asia and the Pacific.

The consultant will contribute to the regional effort to strengthen approaches addressing harmful masculinities and social norms that perpetuate GBV and CEFM, working closely with UNFPA Country Offices in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and the Philippines, and in collaboration with UNICEF EAPRO as part of a regional initiative on addressing Child, Early and Force Marriage in South-east Asia. 

 

Scope of work:

UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 identifies addressing discriminatory gender and social norms—including those rooted in unequal masculinities—as a core accelerator toward achieving transformative results in ending GBV and harmful practices.

Under the overall supervision of the GBV Technical Advisor and day to day coordination of the GBV Specialist, the UNFPA COs and partners, the consultant will provide technical and research support as below details:

• Develop a research framework, including methodology, data collection tools, and analytical framework focusing on harmful masculinities.
• Guide national stakeholders in collecting necessary data in an ethical way
• Draft and finalize a multi-country scoping review on masculinities and social norms related to GBV and CEFM in the Philippines, Cambodia, and Lao PDR, with clear recommendations to develop programmatic interventions to address this harmful practice.
  
   

Duration and working schedule:

The total duration of the consultancy will be 80 working days between 15 January 2026 to 30th October 2026.  The selected consultant will develop a workplan in consultation with the UNFPA APRO GBV team.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The assignment is home-based. No travel is expected currently. However, should travel be requested by any of the Country Offices as part of the consultation, it will be covered separately following UNFPA’s travel policy.

Expected Deliverables and Payment Schedule: 

A lump sum fee, equivalent to 80 working days, will be paid in three (3) instalments upon completion and acceptance of deliverables by UNFPA APRO.

Payments will be made in installments (3 installments) based on the number of approved working days for 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.

1st Installment:  The payment will be made after deliverable 1 and 2 are accepted by UNFPA APRO (estimated 25 workdays required).

Deliverable 1: Maximum 10 pages inception report including 1) methodology for the multi-country Masculinities scoping review (focused on GBV/CEFM), which will rely on both a desk review and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across Cambodia, Lao PDR, and the Philippines 2) research tools

Timeline: By the end of Feb2026

Deliverable 2:  Report including a Desk Review  on masculinities and their links to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) or Harmful Practices.

Timeline: By the end of March 2026

2nd Installment:  The payment will be made after deliverable 3 and 4 are accepted by UNFPA APRO (estimated 45 workdays required).

Deliverable 3: First draft of the study and slidedeck with preliminary findings presented in  webinar with UNFPA country offices and partners

Timeline: By the 30th June 2026

Deliverable 4: Final version of the Multi-country scoping reviewon masculinities and child, early and forced marriage and PPT presentation of the key findings and recommendations

Timeline: By the 31st of August  2026

Final Installment:  The payment will be made after deliverables 5 are accepted by UNFPA APRO (estimated 10 workdays required).

Deliverable 5: Support the UNFPA APRO team in providing expert review and guidance to Cambodia, Lao PDR and Philippines on addressing harmful masculinities to address child marriage and GBV

Timeline: By the 30th of October 2026.

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 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 EAPRO).

Expected travel:

The assignment is home-based. No travel is expected currently. However, should travel be requested by any of the Country Offices as part of the consultation, it will be covered separately following UNFPA’s travel policy.

Inputs by UNFPA:

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

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Sociology, Demography, or other relevant social sciences.

 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 15 years of experience in social norms change (related to health, GBV, gender equality, gender justice, social equity), masculinities, and gender-transformative programming.
• Proven experience in research, study, documentation, and analysis of social and gender norms, including addressing child marriage
• Demonstrated ability to design and/or implement interventions on addressing masculinities and engaging men and boys.
• Experience in conducting research, study in Asia
• Strong analytical and writing skills in English.
• Excellent coordination, facilitation, and communication skills.
  
   

Languages: 

English proficiency is mandatory.

UNFPA Work Environment:

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.

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.