TERMS OF REFERENCE   (to be completed by Hiring Office)

Hiring Office:

UNFPA Turkmenistan Country Office

Title:

INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT FOR 

MEDIA TRAINING ON GENDER EQUALITY AND GBV PREVENTION 

The background and purpose of consultancy:

The media, including journalists, bloggers, and influencers, play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and social norms. The way they report on and portray gender-related issues and events directly shapes public perception, either by reinforcing harmful stereotypes or by promoting positive, rights-based messages. In line with its mandate to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender equality, UNFPA in Turkmenistan aims to enhance the capacity of media professionals to address these issues with accuracy, sensitivity, and an ethical approach.

This consultancy seeks an expert to design and deliver a comprehensive, two-day training session for media representatives. The training will help participants navigate the complex relationship between gender dynamics, social norms, and their role in preventing gender-based violence (GBV). It will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of gender concepts, including the distinction between positive and toxic masculinity, and how their public promotion can impact the incidence of violence and discrimination. By empowering them to address these topics with nuance and sensitivity, the training will enable media professionals to uphold human rights and "do no harm" principles in their work, including on social media. 

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Design Training Curriculum and Resources:

• Conduct an in-depth desk review and analysis of available resources, media coverage trends, and challenges in the country context to identify the specific needs and opportunities in Turkmenistan.
• Develop a detailed, interactive, and comprehensive two-day training curriculum and all necessary training materials (presentations, handouts, relevant case studies) tailored for journalists, bloggers, media representatives, and influencers.
• Develop a Quick-Reference Media Guide/Tip Sheet (1-2 pages) summarizing the key ethical principles and practical "dos and don'ts" for media reporting on gender, GBV, and masculinity.

Training Content: Ensure the curriculum covers key topics including:

• Introduction to gender equality, gender dynamics, and social norms, incorporating findings from the country media analysis.
• The concept of positive and toxic masculinity and their influence on public perception.
• Understanding and identifying Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with a focus on how promoting gender stereotypes can lead to violence and discrimination. This must include the application and discussion of country-relevant case studies.
• Ethical considerations and "do no harm" principles in media and social media reporting on gender and GBV.
• Applying human rights and "do no harm" principles to all aspects of media reporting on gender.

Training Delivery: Conduct a mission to the country to facilitate and lead the two-day in-person training session, ensuring an engaging and participatory learning environment.

Post-Training Report: Prepare and submit a Post-Training Evaluation Report summarizing the training activities, key outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future capacity-building initiatives. 

Duration and working schedule:

05 November - 05 December, 2025 including operational closure of the contract; the contract duration is 15 working days with the following proposed breakdown: 

• Pre-training (Remote - 10 days): All desk review, analysis, and curriculum development must be completed prior to travel to Turkmenistan.
  • Desk Review of country context and needs analysis 
  • Development of the full training curriculum, materials, and case studies (including localization and translation review)
  • Development of Quick-Reference Media Guide/Tip Sheet 
• Training Delivery (In-country - 2 days):
  • In-person facilitation of the two-day training session: 
• Post-training (Remote - 3 days):
  • Compilation of participant feedback, analysis of outcomes, and finalization of the Post-Training Evaluation Report by December 05, 2025. 

Place where services are to be delivered:

Home based with a 3-day country mission in the week of November 24-28, 2025.

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

Deliverable 1 (Pre-Training Package): Submission of the comprehensive training curriculum, all related training materials (presentations, handouts, case studies), and the Quick-Reference Media Guide/Tip Sheet by November 19, 2025. (10 working days)

Deliverable 2 (Training Delivery): Successful facilitation and leadership of the two-day in-person training session in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan by November 28, 2025. (2 working days)

Deliverable 3 (Post-Training Evaluation Report): Submission of the final Post-Training Evaluation Report summarizing training activities, key outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future capacity-building by December 05, 2025. (3 working days)

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

The consultant will have regular communication and updates with the UNFPA Communications Analyst and Programme Analyst on Gender and Youth. The training agenda and materials will be submitted for review and approval prior to the training.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The consultant will be under the overall guidance of UNFPA Communications Analyst

Expected travel:

The mission to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan is required for 3 days in the week of November 24-28, 2025. Travel costs will be covered additionally according to the UNFPA’s Duty Travel Policy.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Qualifications and Education

• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Communications, Journalism, Public Health, Human Rights, or a related social science field. 
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in training, journalism, communications, or public advocacy, with a specific focus on gender equality, GBV prevention, and human rights.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering training for media professionals.
• In-depth knowledge of gender equality, GBV, and the ethical use of media and social media.
• Proven ability to link complex social issues like gender norms to their real-world consequences, such as GBV.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Fluency in Russian and English is required. 

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

UNFPA will provide the consultant with available materials, data, and information. The consultant is expected to conduct additional research through desk reviews, consultations with UNFPA staff, and other relevant sources to identify further information.

The consultancy fee will be calculated based on P3 level of the UN Salary Scale for the Professional and higher categories effective 1 January 2025 and will be paid in a lump sum upon the successful completion of all deliverables.