Eliminating gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices is one of three UNFPA’s global transformative results. UNFPA is recognized for its longstanding work on prevention and response to GBV. This includes advocacy and policy development, implementing a multi-sectoral response, supporting essential services for survivors, combating harmful practices, strengthening GBV data collection, analysis and use, tackling social norms and gender stereotypes.

In Turkmenistan, UNFPA is partnering with the Government and provides support in the implementation and monitoring of the National Action Plan on Gender Equality for 2021-2025. Some of the key areas of intervention include

• Advocacy and policy making support to strengthen the response to GBV and improve the implementation of normative and policy frameworks on GBV in development settings;
• Strengthening multi-sectoral response to gender-based violence for healthcare, police and social services;
• Promoting gender equal positive social norms thus creating an enabling environment for advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence.

In 2025 UNFPA Turkmenistan continues contributing to the implementation of the UNFPA Regional Project on “Strengthening prevention and response to GBV in Central Asia” which is a part of a Central Asia programme funded by the UK Integrated Security Fund funding. In addition, UNFPA CO initiated partnerships with UNDP within the Global Fund funded project on gender responsive TB treatment and EU supported Regional gender project. These initiatives will contribute to strengthening social cohesion and advancing more gender equitable societies as a part of wider efforts to ensure sustainable, peaceful and equal societies.

In 2023-2024 UNFPA CO initiated study of international best practices on introducing programmes for working with perpetrators and men engagement programmes to advance gender equality and tackle toxic masculinities. An assessment of country readiness for introduction of perpetrator programmes was completed, Standard Operational Procedures for Multi-Sectoral Response to gender-based violence were updated to include a section on working with perpetrators and an introductory training was held on the topic for police, healthcare and social sectors.

Within the men engagement programme lesson plans were developed focusing on gender equality, gender roles, responsibilities and stereotypes as well as prevention of GBV, education of young men and boys in sports schools was introduced and over 3,000 sports athletes were taught following these lesson plans.

As the next step in facilitating the advancement in introducing perpetrator programmes and to determine baseline for evaluating an impact of social norms interventions, the UNFPA CO undertakes two initiatives to be completed until the end of 2025 and include:

1. Development of a model perpetrator programme for further piloting;
2. Strengthening the work on social norms through inclusive approaches to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities

Within this context, in close consultations with the Institute of State, Law and Democracy UNFPA CO is in need to hire a National individual consultant to provide programme and administrative support for the development of perpetrator programme and conducting a social norms survey within the Gender and Youth Programme. The National consultant will work in close coordination and provide logistical, organizational, country context and administrative support to two International consultants.

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Literature Review:

• Support International consultants with providing national context and available documentation for literature review on human rights and gender equality situation in the country, existing secondary data sources including key strategic documents and deliver on the approaches (concept, definition, methodology); a mapping of current and existing government-led and UN-supported programmes, plans, initiatives, reports, studies and data sets.

A detailed Inception Report:

• Support International consultants to develop work plans for the consultancies including schedule of activities, and a tentative plan for meetings.

Data collection and analysis:

• Support International consultants to develop methodology providing local and national context.
• Assist International consultants in designing the correctional programme and survey questionnaires for the assignments to fit the country context. The questionnaires will be implemented by men engagement trainers in the field.
• Make necessary arrangements for the successful implementation of activities during the missions of international consultants: logistical and administrative work related to securing visas, arranging travel plans, organizing meetings, training online and offline, catering, participation of national counterparts, correspondence, interpretation and other.
• Organize, schedule and provide logistical arrangements as well as prepare minutes of meetings and consultations to be held by International consultants and national partners.
• Make necessary arrangements and communication to ensure the successful implementation of the data collection process in the fields for the survey and proper recording of responses on electronic information carriers.

Report writing:

• Support International consultants in the development of the final products: survey report and perpetrator programme by providing national context, translation services if required, and assisting in the preparation of recommendations.

Deliverables:

Monthly Interim reports describing all activities held, results achieved, the documentation from meetings, training and other activities, including agendas, LOPs, minutes, photos and other supporting documentation to be submitted no later than 25^th of each month.

• Bachelor’s Degree in social studies or other related areas;
• At least four years of experience in the public or private sector in providing logistical and organizational support to projects.
• Prior experience in working with/or for international organizations is an asset.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset.
• Fluency in English, Russian. Knowledge of Turkmen is an asset;
• Proficiency in current software applications.
• Excellent communication skills, accuracy, ability to work in a team.

UNFPA shall provide the IC with office space, relevant materials, data, information and reports.