UNFPA Is Hiring a Consultant on Social and Gender Norms Change to Prevent GBV – Remote Consultancy
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is seeking an experienced consultant to support efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV) through social and gender norms change interventions across the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region.
The consultancy offers an opportunity for a highly experienced gender equality, social norms, research, and programme specialist to contribute to regional guidance and practical tools that can help UNFPA Country Offices design, implement, monitor, and measure interventions addressing harmful social and gender norms.
The position is home-based and remote, with no travel foreseen, and applications are open until 26 August 2026.
Position Overview
The position is titled Consultant on Social and Gender Norms Change to Prevent GBV and is an individual consultancy with UNFPA.
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Regional Gender Adviser for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, while collaborating with the wider Gender Team and gender focal points from UNFPA Country Offices.
The consultancy is expected to involve approximately 50 working days over three months.
The main purpose of the assignment is to map and document social and gender norms change interventions aimed at preventing and addressing GBV across the EECA region.
The consultant will also develop a comprehensive “What Works” documentation framework, regional guidance, and a practical Social Norms Assessment Tool.
Key Responsibilities
The successful consultant will conduct a comprehensive review of global, regional, and country-level literature related to social and gender norms change.
This will include examining UNFPA documents alongside scholarly publications and other relevant institutional sources to identify evidence about effective approaches to preventing and addressing GBV.
The consultant will also identify tools, indicators, and methodologies that have demonstrated effectiveness in supporting social and gender norms change.
Another important responsibility will be mapping existing interventions implemented through UNFPA Country Offices and the Regional Office.
This mapping will include:
- Developing an inventory of active and previous social norms change programmes.
- Analysing thematic areas and implementation challenges.
- Identifying regional best practices.
- Identifying gaps in programmes addressing GBV-related social and gender norms.
- Documenting relevant approaches and lessons learned.
The consultant will then use the evidence gathered to develop regional guidance for UNFPA Country Offices.
This guidance will support offices in designing and scaling contextually appropriate interventions aimed at preventing GBV while aligning programming with available global evidence and strategic priorities in the EECA region.
Development of a Social Norms Assessment Tool
One of the most important outputs of the consultancy will be a practical Social Norms Assessment Tool.
The tool will help UNFPA Country Offices plan, monitor, and measure changes in social and gender norms.
It is expected to help measure both qualitative and quantitative changes among beneficiaries over time.
The tool will also include suggested core indicators and standards for measuring sensitive social norms shifts while maintaining appropriate ethical and safety considerations.
Where practical, it may include instruments such as:
- Rapid assessment scorecards.
- Baseline and endline survey templates.
- Community dialogue tracking guides.
- Practical monitoring instruments.
- Indicators for measuring normative change.
The goal is to ensure that Country Offices have a practical resource that can be applied to programme design, monitoring and evaluation.
Consultancy Deliverables
The assignment is structured around several key deliverables.
Inception Report – 5 Working Days
The consultant will prepare an inception report outlining the methodological approach, conceptual framework, scope of the mapping exercise, and proposed design of the Social Norms Assessment Tool.
Global and Regional Evidence Review – 15 Working Days
The first major deliverable will be a comprehensive evidence review examining “what works” in social and gender norms change for GBV prevention.
The review will synthesize global, regional and country-level evidence, including relevant UNFPA documentation, scholarly research and institutional publications.
EECA Interventions Mapping Report – 25 Working Days
The second major deliverable will document social and gender norms change initiatives currently or recently implemented across UNFPA Country Offices and the Regional Office in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The report will focus particularly on initiatives addressing GBV prevention.
Final Regional Guidance and Tool – 5 Working Days
The final deliverable will combine regional guidance with a practical assessment tool designed to support the planning, monitoring and measurement of social and gender norms change interventions.
In total, the consultancy covers 50 working days.
Required Qualifications
This consultancy is aimed at experienced professionals with a strong academic and professional background in gender equality, social norms change or related areas.
Applicants should have an advanced university degree, such as a Master’s or Ph.D., in a relevant discipline.
Relevant fields include:
- Gender Studies
- Sociology
- Social Anthropology
- Public Policy
- International Development
- Related social sciences
Candidates should also have approximately 7–10 years of relevant professional experience in programming and evaluating gender equality, social norms change, or harmful practices initiatives.
Experience designing programme assessment tools, monitoring frameworks or minimum standards for social change will be particularly relevant.
Additional Experience and Skills
The successful candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia regional context and familiarity with UN and UNFPA programme frameworks.
Strong research, analytical, writing and communication skills are essential.
Because the consultancy involves multiple deliverables with strict timelines, applicants should also be capable of working independently and producing high-quality outputs within agreed deadlines.
Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of Russian is considered a significant advantage.
Competencies
UNFPA is looking for candidates who can demonstrate integrity, commitment to the UN system, cultural awareness and adaptability.
Core competencies include:
- Achieving results.
- Accountability.
- Applying professional expertise.
- Analytical and strategic thinking.
- Effective teamwork and relationship management.
Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate these competencies through examples from their previous professional experience.
Remote Working Arrangement
One of the notable features of this consultancy is that it is remote/home-based.
The assignment does not foresee any travel, meaning the consultant can deliver the work remotely over the three-month consultancy period.
The consultant will provide short monthly email updates covering progress, challenges and any support required.
All draft and final products will be reviewed and approved by the UNFPA Regional Gender Adviser.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 26 August 2026 at 4:00 PM.
The consultancy is based in Istanbul, Türkiye, but the services are to be delivered remotely/home-based.
Candidates interested in the opportunity should carefully review the official UNFPA vacancy announcement for the complete application instructions, eligibility requirements and submission process.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is particularly relevant to senior professionals with substantial experience in:
- Gender equality programming.
- GBV prevention and response.
- Social and gender norms change.
- Programme evaluation.
- Research and evidence synthesis.
- Monitoring and evaluation.
- International development.
- Gender policy.
- Social science research.
- Development of assessment and monitoring tools.
Professionals who have worked with governments, UN agencies, NGOs or international development organizations may find their experience particularly relevant.
Final Reminder
The UNFPA consultancy provides an opportunity for an experienced gender and social norms specialist to contribute to regional approaches for preventing gender-based violence.
With 50 working days over three months, a home-based working arrangement, and no travel foreseen, the assignment could be particularly attractive to experienced consultants seeking international development opportunities.
Interested candidates should ensure they meet the advanced degree and professional experience requirements and submit their application before the 26 August 2026 deadline.
Position: Consultant on Social and Gender Norms Change to Prevent GBV
Organization: UNFPA
Location: Remote/Home-based
Duty station listed: Istanbul, Türkiye
Contract: Individual Consultancy
Duration: 50 working days over approximately three months
Education: Master’s or Ph.D.
Experience: 7–10 years relevant experience
Language: English required; Russian desirable
Deadline: 26 August 2026, 4:00 PM
SUBMIT APPLICATIONS HERE
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