JOB DESCRIPTION

The Position:

Local Consultancy: Gender and Strategic Partnerships Consultant

How you can make a difference:

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. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Purpose of consultancy:

The consultant will support UNFPA South Africa’s strategic engagement in national and global gender platforms, specifically focusing on South Africa’s G20 and W20 roles, and partnerships with the GBVF Response Fund. The consultant will provide high-level technical and coordination support to advance policy, advocacy, and partnership activities aligned with the UNFPA Strategic Plan and the Country Programme Document (CPD).
Scope of work: 

Under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative, the Gender and Strategic Partnership Consultant will be based in the South Africa Country Office (CO), with flexibility for remote work. The Consultant will support UNFPA South Africa’s strategic engagement in global platforms, notably the G20 and W20, with a focus on promoting gender equality, advancing national priorities on gender dynamics and mainstreaming, and aligning with international gender-related frameworks. This includes strengthening multistakeholder collaboration and contributing to national and global visibility of South Africa’s leadership on gender justice.

Key Responsibilities Include: 

G20/W20 Engagement 

• Support South Africa’s G20 Presidency by providing technical input and coordination on gender-related priorities, including equality, care economy, and financial inclusion.
•  Draft national position papers, briefing notes, talking points, advocacy products, and background materials aligned to G20/W20 themes.
•  Engage with key government departments (e.g. DIRCO, DWYPD, DPME), civil society, private sector, and W20 partners to ensure integration of SRHR, GBVF, and gender justice in G20/W20 processes.
•  Coordinate UNFPA’s participation in relevant side events, policy dialogues, and multilateral forums hosted under the Sherpa and Engagement Tracks.

GBVF Response Fund Collaboration 

• Provide technical support to strengthen UNFPA’s partnership with the GBVF Response Fund Secretariat, including joint planning, programme review, and evidence-based investment case development.
• Support the preparation and quality assurance of joint workplans, proposals, and progress reports.
• Facilitate linkages between GBVF investments and national budgeting, planning, and accountability frameworks.
• Document key achievements, lessons learned, and policy implications for scale-up and advocacy.

Cross-Cutting Functions 

• Prepare thematic background papers, G20/W20 and GBVF summaries, and communication content as required. Docusign Envelope ID: FE81B6BB-9C43-4D92-8C3A-01F995FD874A.
• Ensure alignment between global commitments and South Africa’s national development priorities, with specific attention to the Presidential priorities of inclusive growth, care work, and gender-based violence prevention.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned by the Representative and Assistant Representative.

Duration and working schedule: 

• The duration of the services is  4 months

Place where services are to be delivered: 

• The duty station for the consultant is UNFPA Pretoria Country Office with remote flexibility provided. However, the consultant may be expected to travel and attend G20 related meetings.    

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

• The contract starts from 18 August to 17 December 2025.
• This will entail engagements and collaboration with country office operations and programme team, government stakeholders, UN agencies and other stakeholders (e.g. GBVF Response Fund 1)

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

• The consultant will  provide monthly activity plans and a reports and submit a comprehensive report at the end of the assignment.

Supervisory arrangements:  

• The consultant will work within the overall guidance of the Country Representative and specifically under the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative.

Expected travel: 

• As required within South Africa.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements: 

Education 

• Advanced Degree (Master’s or above) in Gender and Development Studies, Health Economics or related field.

 Knowledge and experience – required

• At least 6 – 8 years of relevant progressively responsible experience in public health, gender, demography, international development, project management and other related fields;
• Experience working in collaboration with government, development partners, civil society organizations and private sector;
• Excellent technical drafting and report/proposal writing and presentation and interpersonal communication skills;
• Proven ability to effectively collaborate with team members to achieve demonstrable results;
• Demonstrable capability to cultivate strategic partnerships and to maintain political relations for programme development; and
• Proficiency in  computer skills, particularly  in current office software applications.

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

• The Consultant must have their own laptop and internet connectivity. UNFPA will provide access to initial background documentation, and the contact details of relevant partners.

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.