Women-Led Organizations – Capacity Strengthening Consultant

This consultancy will be remote / home based.

Purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA 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. UNFPA is committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, particularly in fragile and crisis-affected settings. In line with its strategic goals, UNFPA is driving forward an increased localization agenda, recognizing that local organizations, especially women-led organizations (WLOs), are often the first responders in emergencies and play a critical role in ensuring response during emergencies and sustaining long-term development outcomes. This consultancy aims to consolidate existing resources (both internal – from UNFPA – and external) into a comprehensive curriculum package designed to strengthen the operational capacity of WLOs and local NGOs in the Arab States. While many of these organizations possess extensive knowledge of UNFPA programmatic areas, there is an increasing need to bolster their administrative and organizational capacities to enhance their sustainability and impact. While the consultant will be working within the UNFPA Arab States, the material may feed into a standardized global package. The curriculum will contain modules covering key non-programmatic competencies, including but not limited to monitoring and evaluation (M&E), prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), communications, resource mobilization, proposal and report writing, staff safety and security, financial management and operations. The consultant is not expected to develop the materials from scratch, but consolidate and draw from pre-existing resources. By addressing these critical areas, UNFPA seeks to further equip WLOs and local NGOs with the tools they need to thrive organizationally, ensuring they can continue to lead and respond effectively within their communities.

You will report to: Head of ASRO Humanitarian Hub in Amman

Scope of work:

Under the supervision of Head of the Hub, based in Amman, the consultant will:

● Consolidate material from various sources for the curriculum package, including but not limited to, internal UNFPA training and guidance, as well as external sources.
● Develop a proposed outline of the content for each of the suggested modules based on the consolidated material from various sources. Suggested modules include:

○ Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
○ Communications
○ Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
○ Resource mobilization, including partnerships and grants management
○ Proposal development and report writing
○ Staff safety, security & duty of care
○ Financial management
○ Operations (Supply Chain & Procurement)
○ Advocacy and supporting grassroot & feminist activism

● Lead on discussions with the UNFPA ASRO / the Hub and selected Country Offices on most needed and proposed modules.
● Deliver a foundational guidance/curriculum package that targets capacity building for WLOs and local NGOs and that can be contextualized for respective settings by UNFPA Country Offices.

Deliverables:

Curriculum package for targeted capacity building of women-led organizations and local NGOs.

You would be responsible for:

The below are tentative delivery dates which may be adjusted as needed. All deliverables will be electronic. Indicatively:

● Outline of curriculum package (consolidated internal and external guidance/training materials).
● Draft curriculum package with well defined modules, guidelines and presenter notes.
● Final curriculum package (PPT presentations by module with brief user notes and presenter guide).
● Presentation of final deliverables to UNFPA ASRO / Hub and selected COs.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

Advanced Degree in social sciences or related fields with specialized knowledge in humanitarian studies, gender, public health or related fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

● Minimum 7 years’ experience in the field of gender, reproductive health, gender based violence, specifically in humanitarian settings
● Extensive experience working with civil society organizations, particularly women-led organizations / women’s rights organizations/networks in humanitarian settings.
● Experience developing training and/or capacity building curriculum, ideally for civil society organizations and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
● Knowledge of the Arab States/Middle East context
● Excellent analytical and writing skills
● Proactive attitude to identify and propose practical steps and recommendations
● Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural and changing environment, communication skills, teamwork, analytic thinking, planning and organizing, time management, creativity and innovation and client orientation.

Languages:

Excellent written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic an asset.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

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:

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.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.