Position: Local Individual Consultant for Development of 10-year Strategic Roadmap for National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC).

Duration and working schedule: 40 working days spread over April to July 2026

A. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY:

The National Commission for Women and Children (NCWC) serve as the Competent Authority under the Child Care and Protection Act (2011), Child Adoption Act of Bhutan (2012), Domestic Violence Prevention Act (2013), and is the lead agency responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the National Gender Equality Policy (2020).

As the apex national body mandated to promote and protect the rights and well-being of women and children, the NCWC plays a pivotal role in the formulation and review of legislation and policy; the exercising of regulatory and oversight functions; monitoring and evaluation of implementation and impact of relevant laws, policies, and programmes. The NCWC further facilitates national level coordination and knowledge management, advances gender equality and the protection of children’s rights aligning with national development priorities and international commitments. 

B. SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES:     

The consultant will provide strategic and technical expertise to support the NCWC in developing a comprehensive, actionable, and results-oriented 10-Year Strategic Roadmap to guide the Commission’s long-term vision, priorities, and implementation.

The consultancy will specifically:

• Review Phase -I draft roadmap and identify gaps
• Review the Phase-I draft of the Strategic Roadmap.
• Identify gaps, overlaps, and areas requiring additional reviews or stakeholder consultations.
• 
   Situational and Systems Analysis
• Conduct a comprehensive situational analysis concerning women and children.
• Assess institutional capacities, coordination mechanisms, monitoring, and data management systems.
  Identify implementation gaps, institutional challenges under relevant Acts and the NGEP.
• Identify emerging and future risks affecting women and children.
   
• Strategic Roadmap Development
• Develop a 10-Year Strategic Roadmap with clear goals, targets, and priorities.
• Ensure alignment with NCWC’s long-term vision, national development plans (including the 13th Five-Year Plan), and international commitments (CEDAW, CRC, SDGs).
• Strengthen legislative and policy frameworks for the protection and promotion of rights of women and children.

• Enhance institutional capacity, coordination, and mainstreaming of gender and child protection across national development processes.

  Implementation and Monitoring Framework

• Provide an actionable phased implementation plan (short-term: Years 1–3; medium-term: Years 4–7; long-term: Years 8–10).
• Develop a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
• Include a resource mobilization strategy, and a communication and advocacy strategy to support implementation.

Deliverables

• Inception Report (2 days): Detailed work plan, methodology, and stakeholder consultation framework.
• Situational, Institutional, and Systems Analysis Report (7 days): Findings from assessments of institutional capacity, gaps, and risks.
• Draft 10-Year Strategic Roadmap (16 days): Includes vision, mission, guiding principles, Theory of Change, strategic pillars, objectives, outcomes, and results framework with SMART indicators, implementation and monitoring framework.
• Validation Workshop (3 days): Facilitation of a workshop to validate the draft roadmap and Incorporate feedback.
• Final 10-Year Strategic Roadmap (10 days): Comprehensive document including,
  • Vision, Mission, and Theory of Change
  • Strategic Pillars, Objectives, Outcomes, and Results Framework
  • Institutional Strengthening Plan
  • Phased Implementation Strategy (Short-Term: Years 1–3; Medium-Term: Years 4–7; Long-Term: Years 8–10)
  • MEL Framework
  • Resource Mobilization Strategy
  • Communication and Advocacy Strategy
  • Executive Summary and Policy Brief
  • Implementation Matrix / Plan
• Incorporate NCWC Commission’s feedback (2 days) 

Place where services are to be delivered: UNFPA and Women and Children Division, Secretariat to the National Commission for Women and Children 

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

1. Inception Report (Submission of a detailed work plan, methodology consultation framework): 2 days after contract signing (electronic)
2. Submission of first draft (Situational and system analysis report): 1 week after submission of inception report (electronic)
3. Submission of second draft / Draft 10-year strategic Roadmap: 3 weeks after first draft submission (electronic)
4. Facilitation of validation workshop and Submission of revised draft: 4^th week of May
5. 1.Submission of final Roadmap following incorporation of NCWC commission’s feedback: End of the consultancy duration 

[1] The major work is expected to be completed by the end of May. However, the assignment end date has been set for July, as the review and endorsement process by NCWC requires additional time. Accordingly, the final deliverables are scheduled for the end of July, and the final payment will be made upon its submission.

C. PAYMENT SCHEDULES and PROGRESS MONITORING 

Payments: Fee payments will be based on deliverables. Each tranche payment to IC will be made upon submission and certification of agreed deliverables by both UNFPA and NCWC as below:

1. Submission and certification of Inception report & situation report: 30% of total contract value
2. Submission of first draft roadmap: 25% of total contract value
3. Completion of validation workshop & revised draft: 25% of total contract value
4. Submission of final roadmap in proper design format and acceptance by NCWC and UNFPA: 20% of total contract value

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline: NCWC and UNFPA will monitor the progress of the work: provide progress updates to NCWC & UNFPA: and regular check-ins and a debriefing meeting will be organized with NCWC & UNFPA

Supervisory arrangements: The consultant will report directly to Gender and Youth Programme Specialist, UNFPA Bhutan Country Office. 

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any: Institutional Arrangements:  The consultant will work under the direct supervision of Gender & Youth Programme specialist, UNFPA Bhutan CO and the Women and Children Division, NCWC. Regular check-ins and a debriefing meeting will be organized with NCWC and relevant partners.

Expected travel: No travel expected assignment to be completed within Thimphu Thromde and Dzongkhag. If any travel needs arise outside Thimphu, the travel has to be approved both by UNFPA and NCWC. The DSA and other travel arrangements for the individual consultant will be made as per UN’s existing rules and regulations. 

D. EDUCATION and PROFESIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 

Education: Master’s degree in public policy, Gender Studies, Child Protection, Development Studies, Social Work, or related fields.

Professional Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in: 
  • Gender equality and/or child protection systems
  • Strategic planning and roadmap development; 
  • Legislative and policy review related to gender equality, child protection, or social development; and
  • Strategic planning, roadmap development and development of costed implementation plans.
• Proven prior experience in institutional assessment, and policy formulation.
• Strong understanding and knowledge on international frameworks and conventions such as CEDAW, CRC, and SDGs, among others. 
• Experience working with government and national institutions, particularly on gender equality programmes and interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and participatory process.
• Strong analytical, research and communication skills.
• Knowledge of safeguarding standards and ethical research practices. 
• Additional requirement: Interested applicants must submit the following documents:
  • CV including contact details of at least two referees 
  • Technical Proposal (methodology and work plan) 

Copyright: The copyright of the final product or related documents of this assignment or any information related will remain with the National Commission for Women and Children, Royal Government of Bhutan. 

Confidentiality: The Consultant must maintain confidentiality of all matters relating to this assignment including the official correspondence with the NCWC, UNFPA and other agencies working in the related assignment. Unless otherwise authorized by an appropriate official of both NCWC and UNFPA, the Consultant shall not communicate any information that has not been made public but known to the Consultant because of their association with the NCWC at any time to media or any other institutions, individuals or other external authorities. Furthermore, the consultant shall not use such information without the written authorization of NCWC for any other purpose, and these obligations shall remain even after the completion of the assignment. Failure to abide by this Clause shall be dealt with as per the appropriate laws of the Kingdom. 

Recommended: The proposed successful applicant shall complete the following on-line training courses and submit the certificates to UNFPA before Individual Consultant Contract is signed. 

1. Fraud and Corruption Awareness and Prevention

Link: UN Fraud Course  

2. PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse)

Link:  UN PSEA course   

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any: Copyright of the final document will remain with the WCD, NCWC and UNFPA. All information pertaining to this project belongs to the National Commission for Women and Children, with exclusive rights over their use. The deliverables will be treated as NCWC’s property. The tools, reports or any other materials cannot be sold, used, or reproduced in any manner without the approval of WCD, NCWC.

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 persons with disabilities groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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, 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.