In 2026, UNFPA APRO is leading a regional effort to strengthen approaches to addressing harmful masculinities and social norms that perpetuate GBV and CEFM, working closely with UNFPA Country Offices in Cambodia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, and collaborating with UNICEF EAPRO as part of a regional initiative on addressing Child, Early and Forced Marriage in Southeast Asia. 

The purpose of the initiative overall is to support UNFPA APRO’s GBV and Harmful Practices team in generating evidence and developing strategic frameworks to promote positive masculinities and strengthen gender-transformative engagement of men and boys to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) in Asia and the Pacific.

As part of this effort, in February – May 2026, UNFPA APRO will hire a consultant in each country – Cambodia, Bangladesh and the Philippines – to conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions to support a national and regional analysis of the findings. 

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The consultants will provide short-term technical assistance, research and outreach services to support the research and analysis. Specifically, the country consultants will be responsible for the following tasks: 

1. Participate in the team planning meeting at the start of the data collection phase, and in two meetings with the other country consultants and the international consultant to discuss the themes emerging from the data collection effort; 
2. Contribute to the generation of a list of key informants (names, titles, contact information) for the methodology which will be provided in advance, and make initial contact with these organizations; 
3. Schedule interviews and organize FGDs; 
4. Lead key informant interviews and take detailed notes, and coordinate, facilitate and record focus group discussions (FGDs);
5. At the end of each day of interviews/FGDs, identify key themes and code notes in a shared spreadsheet;
6. Produce clean transcripts and interview notes summarizing the discussions, key themes, and quotes;
7. Generate a four-page summary of key findings, themes and recommendations at the national level;
8. Participate in the research team’s participatory analysis workshop, contributing to the qualitative analysis of the interview data and identifying recommendations for the regional strategy; 
9. Contribute to presentation to the government to validate recommendations. 

Important Note: A one-time payment will be issued only upon the full implementation of all activities and the formal acceptance and approval of all final deliverables by UNFPA Philippines and UNFPA APRO. No partial or progress payments will be made.

A work plan/delivery monitoring schedule will be determined by UNFPA and the Consultant at the outset of the consultancy. A tracking sheet will be used to note progress against the TOR deliverables and deadlines.   

• University degree, preferably at Masters’ level, in the social sciences or related field such as women’s studies or gender and development.

• Proven expertise in gender equality, GBV prevention, and social norm change, with a particular focus on engaging men and boys in transformative, rights-based programming.
• Strong understanding of the socio-cultural and institutional dynamics surrounding GBV, masculinities, and gender-based power relations in the Philippine context.
• Demonstrated knowledge of global and national strategies, tools, and evidence-based practices for working with men and boys to address harmful gender norms.
• Familiarity with the National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women (NAP-EVAW) and related national and sectoral policies on GBV, gender, and SRHR.
• Works well in a team environment, demonstrates integrity, able to multi-task, inclusive of all people and fosters participation of others

• Two (2) years’ experience of gender integration work with civil society organizations or international NGOs, including qualitative research (interviews and FGDs), capacity building on gender and women’s rights 
• A technical foundation in gender and one or more of the following areas:
  • Social sciences
  • Public health 
  • Global development
• Gender analysis and integration, female empowerment, qualitative and/or mixed methods research, policy development, writing and communications

Please note that if the consultant determines that additional experts or personnel are needed to complete all deliverables in this project, all associated expenses, including travel costs, professional fees, and any other related expenses, will be covered by the consultant.

UNFPA APRO will:

• Develop a research framework, including methodology, data collection tools, and analytical framework focusing on harmful masculinities.
• Guide the local consultant in collecting necessary data in an ethical way
• Draft and finalize a multi-country scoping review on masculinities and social norms related to GBV and CEFM in 3 countries in  Asia, with clear recommendations to develop programmatic interventions to address this harmful practice.

UNFPA Philippines Country Office will manage the logistical aspects required for the activities outlined in this TOR, including arranging the venue and accommodations (if necessary), and meals.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

COA: PHL09GSN-UCA44-MENBOYSRESEARCH-PU0074

Signature of Requesting Officers in Hiring Office: 

Prepared by:

Algin Gultia, 

Social Norms Change Analyst

Reviewed by:

Jeanette Kindipan-Dulawan

National Programme Officer, Gender/GBV Unit

Endorsed by:

Jose Roi Avena

Assistant Representative

Cleared by:

Lucy Beatrice Kadewere

International Operations Manager

Approved by:

Neus Bernabeu

Country Representative