WFC Gender Mainstreaming & GBV Consultant

BackgroundUNFPA Turkiye Country Office is implementing its 7th Country Programme (2021-2025) in Turkiye which contributes to the UNFPA global strategic plan transformative results and the UN Cooperation Framework outcomes with the purpose of improving access to high quality basic services and opportunities, improved access of women and girls to resources, opportunities and realization of their rights and inclusive and rights-based governance systems. Accordingly, the UNFPA aims to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable groups and institutions to increase access to high-quality, inclusive and rights-based protection and social cohesion services including in humanitarian settings.

In conflict situations, disrupted social structures create conditions where individuals become more vulnerable towards gender-based violence (GBV), creating aggravated risks associated with displacement against people of concern causing disproportionate consequences. GBV continues to threaten forcibly displaced and local women, girls, as well as men and boys including individuals with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities in Turkiye.

Working within a large and complex Country Office (CO) environment, the IC will support the effective management and implementation of the Women Friendly Cities (WFC) Programme - Phase III, which aims to mainstream gender equality at local level, empower women and girls through participatory local governance, and strengthen municipalities and CSOs in developing rights-based, gender-responsive policies and services. Job PurposeSpecifically, the purpose of this consultancy is to provide specialized technical expertise on gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and GBV prevention within the framework of the WFC Programme Phase 3.

The consultant will lead the integration of gender perspectives into local governance processes, support GBV prevention strategies, and ensure rights-based, gender-responsive policies and services are embedded in municipal and CSO practices. This includes strengthening the capacities of municipal institutions and CSOs to develop and implement gender-sensitive tools, training modules, and local action plans, with a focus on enhancing the protection and empowerment of women, girls, and vulnerable groups at the local level.

How You Can Make a DifferenceUNFPA 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 PositionThe consultant is expected to work for 11 months from 15 September 2025 to 14 August 2026 and the consultancy will be full time home-based. The consultant is eligible to take fixed (not floating) United Nations official holidays.

In the scope of this consultancy, Individual Consultant (IC) may travel to 25 different cities in Türkiye in order to conduct and facilitate meetings, trainings and any other duties relating to the WFC Programme. The travel expense of the consultant will be covered by the UNFPA in accordance with UNFPA Travel Policy.

The consultant will provide monthly activity reports (electronic) and the acceptance of services at the end of each completed month will be certified through a Certification of Payment to be countersigned by both parties (IC and UNFPA) and a monthly activity report to be submitted by the consultant including the details of completed tasks and progress. Under the overall guidance of UNFPA Gender Programme Specialist, the consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNFPA Programme Analyst, WFC.

You Would Be Responsible ForStrengthening Local Capacity on Gender EqualityProviding technical leadership for the WFC Training Package by developing and enhancing training modules, slides and other materials on local gender policy integration, gender mainstreaming, GBV prevention, prevention of Child, Early and Forced Marriages (CEFM), SRHR, LEAP budgeting strategies and participatory governance approaches. Building skills of municipal staff, UMT and CSOs to apply gender-responsive approaches in local planning.

Building an Expert Trainer and Mentorship NetworkAdvising on the design and mobilization of a qualified expert pool, ensuring a well-defined roster of trainers and technical specialists is in placeEnsuring effective delivery of the WFC Training Package across the municipalities and CSOs. Provide mentorship for the implementing partners including municipalities, CSOs, as well as the Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (UMT). Launching and Facilitating Municipal & CSO TrainingsSupporting the launch of initial municipal and CSO trainings, especially delivering and adapting gender, GBV and CEFM contentAssisting municipalities and CSOs in identifying and setting LEAP priorities.

Developing and Monitoring Tools for ImplementationLeading implementation & Monitoring LEM Manuals with robust gender, GBV and CEFM integration Ensuring LM Tools are aligned with the policy requirements and promoted CSO participationEstablishing Mentorship and Supervision SystemsLeading the design and implementation of mentorship/supervision systems for municipalities and CSOs from a gender perspective. Enhancing and Assessing CSO CapacitySupporting the finalization of the gender aspects of CSO Capacity Assessments. Overseeing completion and deployment of CSO Capacity Assessments, identifying institutional strengths and gaps, and directing targeted support to enable active CSO involvement in WFC activities.

Leading WFC CSO Groups and LEAP Engagement ProcessSpearheading the creation and implementation of the CSO proposal and selection process. Developing transparent criteria, assessment tools, and operational procedures that uphold participatory and rights-based principles of the WFC Programme. The establishment and running of WFC CSO Groups. Engagement of CSOs into LEAP activities. Showcasing Progress At Advocacy And Other EventsPreparing high-quality technical content for key programme events, including the WFC Launch Event and the first regional experience sharing conference, and other relevant meetings and/or events, ensuring that gender and GBV priorities are prominently featured.

Consolidating lessons learned from local policy integration and CSO practices to facilitate peer learning and inform future programme scaling. Contributing to Monitoring and EvaluationCollaborating with the M&E Associate to integrate gender-sensitive indicators and methodologies into the overall programme monitoring framework. Providing Ongoing Technical SupportDelivering continuous mentoring, coaching, and technical assistance to municipalities throughout the drafting, revision, and budgeting of LEAPs, ensuring gender equality and participatory approaches are systematically integrated.

Submitting Executive Summary Reports In EnglishEnsure the timely submission of executive summary reports in English, clearly outlining the progress of assigned tasks, key insights, and upcoming actions, in alignment with the WFC Programme’s reporting standards. Performing Other DutiesUndertaking any additional responsibilities as required under the WFC Programme, related to project activities or deliverables listed in the ToR, to ensure the timely achievement of objectives in alignment with approved Work Plans and UNFPA’s programme standards EducationQualifications and Experience: Master’s Degree in Gender Studies, Public Administration, Sociology, Political Science, Social Sciences or other relevant fields.

Knowledge And ExperienceAt least 2 years of progressive professional experience in gender equality, GBV prevention, participatory local governance, development of guidelines, training and capacity building programmes/toolkits, ToT materials, or Local Equality Action Plan (LEAP) processes. Demonstrated experience in conducting or facilitating municipal or CSO capacity assessments and developing local action plans or gender-sensitive budgeting frameworks is a strong asset. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Windows-based applications, integrated web-based management systems, spreadsheets and databases. In-depth knowledge and practical experience in gender mainstreaming, GBV prevention and response, and advancing women’s empowerment at local level is an asset.

Experience with education, communication and advocacy programme design and material development is an asset. Strong facilitation and mentoring skills, with ability to work closely with municipal staff, CSOs and diverse stakeholders is an asset. Familiarity with UNFPA, UN system operations or EU-funded gender projects is an asset. LanguagesFluency in written and spoken English and Turkish. ValuesRequired Competencies:

Exemplifying integrity,Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,Embracing cultural diversity,Embracing changeCore CompetenciesAchieving Results Being Accountable Developing & Applying Professional Expertise Thinking Analytically & Strategically Working in Teams/Managing our-selves and relationships Communicating for Impact Functional CompetenciesDelivering result-based programs Providing conceptual innovation to enhance/strengthen programme effectivenessGenerating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and informationUNFPA Work EnvironmentUNFPA 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. 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. DisclaimerUNFPA 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.

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