NATIONAL CONSULTANCY: Assess the status of male engagement in national policies and strategies at United Nations Population Fund: (Deadline 15 November 2024)

The Position:

Despite significant advances in addressing early and unintended pregnancies, GBV, and HIV infections among Rwandan youth, gender disparities in sexual and reproductive health and rights persist. This is partly due to the limited engagement of boys and young men in promoting these rights, leaving the responsibility solely on women and girls. To address this, UNFPA and UNAIDS proposed Side-by-Side: Boys & Young men championing positive masculinity project to promote boys’ and men’s involvement in SRHR, aiming to foster a healthier and more equitable society.

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.

Job Purpose:

This consultancy aims to evaluate how effectively boys and men are involved in Rwanda’s national policies and strategies related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), and HIV. The assessment will highlight the positive aspects, identify areas for improvement, and offer suggestions to strengthen boys and men’s participation in these critical areas.

You would be responsible for:

1. Evaluate boys and men Engagement in National Policies and Strategies: Conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the current level of boys and men’s involvement in Rwanda’s national policies and strategies addressing SRHR, GBV, and HIV issues to identify existing efforts, analyze their effectiveness, and pinpoint areas where engagement could be improved.

2. Identify Gaps and Recommendations: Identify gaps or challenges hindering boys and men engagement and develop concrete recommendations to enhance boys and men’s participation to promote youth access to SRH rights including SRH/GBV and HIV prevention services

3. Design a Multimedia Awareness Campaign: Based on the insights gained from the assessment, develop a compelling multimedia campaign to create awareness on SRHR/GBV/HIV and male involvement while promoting positive masculinity.

Review relevant national policies, strategies, and programs related to SRHR/GBV and HIV.

• Conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, youth representatives, and development partners.
• Collect and analyze data on male engagement in SRHR/GBV and HIV initiatives.
• Identify barriers and facilitators to male engagement.
• Develop recommendations for strengthening male engagement in SRHR/GBV and HIV policies and programs.
• Design a multimedia campaign to create awareness on SRHR/GBV/HIV and male involvement while promoting positive masculinity.
• Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• An advanced degree (Master’s) in public health, Public policy, education, development studies, gender studies or other health services.
• A Bachelor’s degree in public health, Public policy, education, development studies, gender studies or other health services with at least 7 years of experience preferably in boys and men engagement.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Proven experience working with national program and international organizations on sexual and reproductive health, in limited resource settings for at least 3 years, preferably with knowledge of men engagement
• Proven experience in public health, scientific research, and evaluation
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyse policies and generate actionable insights.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written, with strong report-writing abilities.
• The consultant should provide examples of past relevant assignments that demonstrate their expertise and experience.

Languages: 

Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is required, working knowledge of French is desirable.

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

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.