National Consultant: Adolescents and Youth - Gender and Child Marriage

The Position:

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 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, including child marriage; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.   UNFPA Bangladesh’s current country programme rests on four pillars, with the second focusing specifically on adolescents and young people. A key priority within this pillar is accelerating the reduction of child marriage, which affects 47.2% of women aged 20–24. Rooted in gender inequality and driven by intersecting socio-economic factors, child marriage disproportionately impacts rural, less educated, and impoverished adolescent girls.  In response to slow national progress, UNFPA Bangladesh is strategic in mobilizing support to accelerate progress toward ending child marriage.   The National Consultant, Adolescents and Youth (Gender & Child Marriage) substantively contributes to the effective management of UNFPA activities in the areas of Adolescents and Youth and Gender Equality. S/he analyses and assesses relevant political, social and economic trends and provides substantive inputs to implementation of the joint programming initiatives.  The Consultant guides and facilitates the delivery of UNFPA’s programmes by monitoring results achieved during implementation. S/he ensures and guides the appropriate application of systems and procedures and develops enhancements if necessary.  The Consultant will also work closely with the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, the Gender, the Data and Demographic Intelligence, Communications and  Monitoring and Evaluation Units. 
 

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

You would be responsible for:

A. Programme Management

● Contribute substantively to the formulation and design of component projects of the UNFPA Country Programme, in line with UNFPA policies and procedures.

● Ensure the timely development of results-based work plans (WPs) and all other related annual and quarterly documents for relevant A&Y projects and programme(s), consistent with the defined project strategies and approaches as well as the financial regulations of UNFPA. 

● Prepare procurement plans with distribution lists of equipment and supplies and ensure necessary follow-up to facilitate timely and efficient delivery.

● Liaise with Implementing Partners, including Project Directors and project personnel, other government counterparts, and UN agencies to identify implementation/management bottlenecks and coordinate the actions to overcome them.

● Work directly with the other units to ensure cross-fertilization of interventions and effective coordination.  

● Maintain a close rapport with the District and Upazila Administration to ensure their effective participation in all stages of project management, in liaison with the UNFPA field officers based in the relevant districts.

● Support the implementation of project/programme activities under direct UNFPA execution, such as coordination of research/studies, organization of seminars/workshops/events, and facilitation of consultants’ work, in collaboration with other colleagues. 

● Seek support and interventions from UNFPA management, if and when required to ensure effective management of all projects under her/his purview.

B. Monitoring and Evaluation:

● Closely monitor project implementation to identify best practices as well as constraints, share them with the relevant UNFPA programme teams and implementing agencies, and in case of constraints, recommend solutions to overcome them. 

● Prepare all M&E reports and forms for submission every quarter together with the quarterly fund request forms.

● Undertake regular field visits to monitor the quality and timely implementation of project activities, as well as arrange periodic project review with counterparts and other partners.

● In collaboration with the M&E Unit, collect and analyse data/information from the project and draft the A&Y section of the Country Office quarterly/annual reports and donor reports.

● In collaboration with Operations staff and A&Y Unit members, regularly monitor and report on the use of supplies, equipment and other resources procured for the government and non-government implementing partners.

C. Advocacy, Knowledge Management and Partnerships:

● Maintain collaborative relationships with all project counterparts and external stakeholders, as relevant for UNFPA’s programmes and represent UNFPA at external meetings upon request.

● Establish and maintain strong relations with relevant UN agencies and focal persons to ensure synergies in project interventions. 

● Provide substantive inputs to facilitate policy discussion and other advocacy-related activities on child marriage, gender and other A&Y related issues, including with media. 

● Ensure information sharing and collaboration between all relevant units of the UNFPA office and any other relevant projects.

● Support the A&Y Unit Chief in drafting correspondence, periodic documentation and dissemination of project processes, lessons learnt and best practices internally and externally through different knowledge sharing forums/communication tools.

● Create and document knowledge about current and emerging Gender, Child Marriage and other Adolescent and Youth issues, by analyzing programmes, projects, strategies, approaches and ongoing experience for lessons learned, best practices, and share with management for use in knowledge sharing and planning future strategies.

● Assist in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the Country Office by preparing relevant documentation, i.e. project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participating in donor meetings and public information events.

D. Capacity Development:

● Provide technical advice to relevant Project Director(s) and identify priority capacity development needs of all Implementing Partners both to enhance the skills required for developing, monitoring and coordinating work plans.

● Identify capacity development needs in relation to Gender, Child Marriage and other Adolescent and Youth issues, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR), Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Life Skills Education amongst Implementing Partners and plan appropriate trainings for relevant staff.

● Ensure overall quality project implementation by contributing significantly to design, management, and supervision of effective trainings, orientation sessions and other capacity building programmes for different categories of stakeholders.

● Liaise with government counterparts to ensure the timely delivery of technical assistance to all projects which fall under the A&Y unit.

E. Other Corporate Tasks:

● Collaborate with all relevant units and UNFPA Field Offices to ensure teamwork and promote programmatic convergence.

● Analyzes and interprets the political, social and economic environment relevant to Gender, Adolescents and Youth and identifies opportunities for UNFPA assistance and intervention. 

● Keep abreast of new policy developments and strategies, analyze policy papers, strategy documents, national plans and development frameworks, and prepare briefs and inputs for policy dialogue, technical assistance coordination, and development frameworks.  
 

Duration and working schedule: For 11 months, and will work 40 hours a week

Place where services are to be delivered: UNFPA Bangladesh office based in Dhaka

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

All of the tasks and activities outlined in the ToR need to be delivered within the contract period in 2026 and 2027. The consultant will submit electronic copies of all the deliverables to the Chief of the AY unit.

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

Progress will be monitored on a monthly basis, sharing electronic updates against terms of reference and deliverables; The consultant will work closely with AY, SRHR, Gender team. Also this role provides technical, analytical and programmatic support on thematic issues and leads the partnership with relevant Government entities.          

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist, Adolescents and Youth.

Expected travel:

The consultant will be required to travel within Bangladesh.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• Master's degree in health, population, sociology, gender studies, development studies, demography, education and/or other related social science field.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in the development sector with practical experience in managing projects, providing capacity development and policy support.
• Prior working experience in the area of child marriage programming, adolescents and youth, sexual and reproductive health of young people and gender issues, including GBV. 
• A clear understating about the existing laws, policies, strategies and action plans in relation to child marriage, ASRHR and gender issues.
• Demonstrated/proven experience in coordination and liaison with government officials and other stakeholders, including NGOs and communities.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing/engaging with senior and high-ranking officials/representatives of national and international institutions, government and non-government. 
• Strong expertise in capacity development, institutional/organizational development, knowledge management, adult learning, policy advisory support and advocacy. 
• Solid knowledge and understanding of the socio-cultural and economic underpinnings of child marriage, ASRHR and gender issues especially in relation to SGBV.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, networking, and negotiation skills.
• Skills in expressing ideas and concepts clearly and concisely, both in written and oral forms.
• Ability to deal with culturally and religiously sensitive and complex issues skillfully and at different levels.
• Proven writing skills in the English language.
• Field experience is strongly desired.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

The consultant is expected to have all necessary resources, logistical facilities, and equipment that are required to fulfill the responsibilities detailed in the ToR.

Payment Instruction : 
The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis subject to submission of his/her monthly report.

Level of the Consultant:  NOB

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
 

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.