Consultant to support GBV safety by design principles of TFGBV

Background:

In the context of an increasingly digital society, the way in which people communicate, work, learn, produce, consume and access services and information is being radically transformed. Technological innovation and digitalization offer immense opportunities to strengthen and scale-up access to information, services and commodities for SRHR and GBV, with potential to reach those most marginalised.However, digital technologies can also be used as tools to cause harm, especially against women and girls and those who are most marginalised.

Ending GBV and harmful practices is one of three transformative results in UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025. This will only be achieved if technology-facilitated GBV (“TFGBV”) is also comprehensively addressed and included in existing GBV programming, as outlined in UNFPA’s GBV Operational Plan, Flourish. UNFPA has led a body of work to address TFGBV through the bodyright campaign, normative technical and rights-based standards, as well as global and regional convenings.

When technology products, policies and platforms do not take account of the unique needs and risks that face women and girls in all their diversity, there is an increased risk of online and offline harm. Re-imagining how we design and deploy technology, through rights-based approaches with safety, security and privacy as fundamental design principles, will allow for greater diversity of voices, ideas and solutions across the spectrum of technology which will serve to mitigate the risk of harm and technology-facilitated GBV.

In March 2025, UNFPA HQ, in collaboration with partners, organised a global Safety Showcase: Reimagine Gender in Technology (“Safety Showcase”) that put the spotlight on rights-based feminist technology products, policies and features including those designed to address TFGBV. Building on this successful model, UNFPA Asia Pacific, will host a Asia Regional Safety Showcase: Re-imagine Gender in Technology, in November with regionally developed technology and innovative products that embrace safety by design principles.

This consultancy will support the coordination of the Asia Regional Safety Showcase: Re-imagine Gender in Technology, under the guidance of UNFPA APRO GBV Advisor and in close coordination with APRO GBV and Harmful Practices team.

Purpose of consultancy:

This consultancy will support the APRO GBV team for the launch, coordination and operation of the programme entitled, Safety Showcase: Re-imagine Gender in Technology, to identify practical safety-, security-, and privacy-by-design products that centre on the needs of women and girls as a contribution to the prevention of TFGBV.

Scope of work

Under the overall guidance of the GBV Advisor and in close coordination with the APRO GBV and Harmful Practice team, the Consultant will be responsible for supporting the coordination and implementation of the Safety Showcase: Re-imagine Gender in Technology. The scope of work will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Support the adaptation of a clear and transparent selection criteria matrix and assessment checklist utilising designated principles and frameworks.
• Develop application and guidance materials for applicants and support the launch of the open call.
• Support review meetings across the partners for selection of technology products to be part of the final showcase event as well as, manage communication with applicants and selected candidates.
• Support the preparation, launch and advertisement of the open call for proposals
• Support the technical assessment of all the products including providing quality control of all the assessment that partners conduct
• Collation and sharing of lessons learnt and experiences of the programme to support scale up of solutions by both private sector and GBV practitioners working to address TFGBV.
• Manage all online and hybrid in-person events in coordination with co-organizers.
• Support the coordination of day-of and pre-production tasks, virtual or in-person room setup and management, set up and manage additional rapid communication channels (production calls, chat groups, etc.), coordinate all personnel including organisers, volunteers, translators, time-keepers, notetakers, photographers, videographers, etc.
• Ensure the documentation of all entries, review of entries and lessons learned on common approaches and good practices.

Duration and working schedule:

50 days between August to 15 December 2025.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

The following deliverables will be provided on an ongoing basis over the course of the consultancy period and regularly monitored through the project work plan in agreement and consultation with the consultant’s supervisor.

Key deliverables and outcomes are as follows:

• Regional adaptation of assessment framework to be utilised for the purposes of the Safety Showcase including Safety by Design principles. To be built using Feminist Principles of the Internet, Safety by Design industry guide, Guidance on the Safe and Ethical Use of Technology to Address Gender-based Violence and Harmful Practices, Orbits, and The Feminist Tech Principles.
• Development of a vetted database of regional initiatives/technological products delivering with a Safety by Design approach. This will include writing up briefs on entries including good practices and suggested elements to improve, as well as managing the update and inclusion of the database within the Safety Showcase website with website administrators.
• Coordination of Safety Showcase (hybrid) under the guidance of UNFPA APRO GBV and HP team.

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 arrangement:

The Consultant will report to the UNFPA APRO GBV Advisor and work closely with the GBV and Harmful Practices team.

Expected travel:

Travels to the Regional Office (APRO) or other venues are expected, with exact dates and duration to be determined based on the need at the time of deployment. Travel expenses will be covered by UNFPA as per Travel policy.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) gender studies, human rights, public health, social work, social science or other related degree.

Knowledge and experience

• 10 years of technology design experience, including at least 3 years of experience in advocacy, research or programming on GBV and technology.
• 2 years or more of event planning or advocacy with government, civil society, and private sector.
• Experience implementing GBV programmes with government entities is strongly desired.
• Demonstrated understanding of the survivor-centred approach and GBV multi-sectoral services essential.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues related to confidentiality, data safety and other ethical concerns related to the sharing of sensitive data between humanitarian and development agencies.
• Experience working in the development or technical analysis of technology solutions for GBV programming.
• Experience in software requirements development and design is desirable.
• Demonstrated organisational skills: the ability to work independently and productively, with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to successfully and effectively liaise with people in a wider range of functions in a multicultural environment.
• Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently, and to handle requests or issues as they arise.

Language:

Fluency in English, additional UN languages an asset.

Inputs / services to be provided 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.

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. 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:

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.

Read Full Description