International Consultant to to support the finalization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for GBV in Emergencies

The Position:

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title: To to support the finalization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for GBV in Emergencies.

Purpose of consultancy: UNFPA is one of the UN's lead agencies working to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment, and supporting programmes aimed at ending and responding to gender-based violence. UNFPA’s gender programme focuses on strengthening a multi-sectoral response to gender-based violence, and promotes the right of all women and girls to live free of violence and abuse.

Eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices is one of three UNFPA’s global transformative results. In humanitarian settings, UNFPA holds a mandate for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and GBV in emergencies (GBViE), and is the IASC-designated lead agency of the GBV Area of Responsibility, coordinating GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response before, during and after crises. UNFPA is recognized for its longstanding work on prevention and response to GBV. 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 2026-2030, building on its support to the previous Plan. 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 2020 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the provision of specialised services to women experiencing domestic violence were developed for healthcare, psychosocial and police sector specialists. Currently, within the implementation of the Regional project on Strengthening prevention and response to violence against women and girls in Central Asia funded by the Central Asia - UK Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), UNFPA CO continues its support to providing GBV specialised social services to the target women and girls. These specialised social services are delivered in Ashgabat by CSO Keyik Okara and 6 Family Support Services under the National Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan that opened in 5 velayats and Ashgabat city.

Turkmenistan is exposed to natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and mudflows, drought and extreme temperatures. Emergencies disrupt essential services and community protection systems and increase the risk of GBV, particularly for women, adolescent girls, women with disabilities and other at-risk groups. Strengthening the preparedness of national systems to prevent, mitigate and respond to GBV in emergencies is therefore a priority of UNFPA’s support, in line with the UNFPA Preparedness Framework and the Country Office’s Minimum Preparedness Actions. Priority actions identified by the Country Office include developing GBViE SOPs, establishing referral pathways, training specialists in potential crisis locations and prepositioning dignity kits.

As a first step, in February–March 2026 UNFPA engaged an international consultant to support the development of SOPs for GBViE, which resulted in development of SOP chapters for three sectors: Health (Ministry of Health and Medical Industry), Social Services (Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population), and Camps and Collective Shelters (Ministry of Defence, Main Directorate of Civil Defence and Rescue Operations). Each chapter is structured around Assessment, Planning/Preparedness and Response, with coordination and data management as cross-cutting areas.

To complete this process, the draft chapters now need to be consolidated into a single, coherent national document; the stakeholder feedback and the SOP Development Action Plan need to be integrated; and the outstanding sections, annexes and practical tools need to be completed so that the SOPs are operational for national actors. In parallel, national stakeholders and first responders need the knowledge and skills to apply the SOPs in practice.

In this context, UNFPA Turkmenistan CO seeks to hire an international individual consultant to (i) finalize the GBViE SOPs, and (ii) design and deliver an online training for frontline responders on GBV in emergencies and the application of the SOPs. The consultant will work in close coordination with the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Gender and Social Policy and the CO emergency preparedness focal point.

Scope of work: The International Consultant will carry out the following tasks:

Task 1 – Inception and review of previous work (2 working days)

Review the outputs of the 2026 assignment (zero-draft SOP chapters, validation workshop materials, completed Feedback and Scoring Cards, group presentations and the SOP Development Action Plan), relevant national legislation and policy documents, and international standards and UNFPA guidance. Hold a remote kick-off meeting with UNFPA. Prepare an inception report that includes:

- a gap analysis of the zero draft against the workshop feedback and the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming;

- an annotated outline of the consolidated SOPs;

- the methodology and consultation plan;

- a training concept note (objectives, target groups, learning outcomes, modules, draft agendas and evaluation approach);

- a detailed work plan, including the training schedule and, should a mission take place, a mission programme.

Task 2 – Revised consolidated draft of the GBViE SOPs (4 working days)

- Consolidate the sector chapters into one coherent national document with harmonized structure, numbering, terminology and cross-references, and resolve placeholders and incomplete sections in the zero draft.

- Systematically integrate the collected feedback and the SOP Development Action Plan, and document how each comment was addressed (or the reason it was not) in a feedback integration matrix.

- Complete or develop the following sections:

introduction: background, purpose, scope, intended users and how to use the SOPs; national legal and policy framework; definitions and forms of GBV; guiding principles and the survivor-centred approach;

- roles and responsibilities of national and international actors across preparedness, response and early recovery, presented as a matrix (line ministries, local authorities, NRCS, CSOs and UN agencies);

- coordination: the GBV coordination mechanism in emergencies, its activation, and its linkages with national emergency management structures and other sectors (health, MHPSS, child protection, camp/shelter management and NFI, WASH, food security, and civil–military coordination);

- multi-sectoral referral pathways and safe referral procedures, including a template for location-specific emergency service mapping;

- information management and data protection: informed consent and assent, confidentiality and its limits, mandatory reporting, an information-sharing protocol based on the need-to-know principle, and safe storage, in line with GBVIMS principles and ethical and safety standards;

- safety, security and access to justice (law enforcement, judiciary and legal aid), in line with the original scope of the SOPs and to the extent agreed with UNFPA at inception;

- cross-cutting areas: GBV risk mitigation across sectors; protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA); dignity kits programming and cash and voucher assistance within GBV case management, aligned with UNFPA guidance; the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) and clinical management of rape; specific considerations for adolescent girls, child survivors, women with disabilities, older women and male survivors; and staff care;

- monitoring, accountability to affected populations, and a set of key preparedness and response indicators.

- Develop annexes and practical tools, including: service mapping and referral pathway templates; referral and consent forms; a safety audit checklist for camps and collective shelters; sector-specific preparedness checklists (building on the Feedback and Scoring Cards);

Task 3 – Training package (3 working days)

Design a competency-based training package that builds on the validation workshop materials and is informed by a short training needs assessment. The package will include: the curriculum and agenda for the online training for frontline responders; a facilitator guide with session plans; presentations using the UNFPA corporate template; participatory exercises adapted for online delivery, case studies and tabletop simulation scenarios relevant to hazards in Turkmenistan; handouts, including the GBV Pocket Guide and referral pathways; and pre/post-tests and evaluation forms.

Indicative modules (to be prioritized based on the training needs assessment): GBViE core concepts and guiding principles; survivor-centred approach, psychological first aid and handling disclosure; IASC GBV Guidelines and the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards; roles and responsibilities under the SOPs; safe referrals and service mapping; GBV risk mitigation in camps, collective shelters and distributions (including safety audits); health response (MISP, first-line support, clinical management of rape); GBV case management in emergencies, including crisis and remote case management; dignity kits and cash assistance; data protection and information sharing; PSEA; coordination, including civil–military coordination; and staff care. Materials will be designed for online delivery with translation/interpretation into Russian and Turkmen.

Task 4 – Consultations and training delivery (4 working days)

- Hold online technical consultations with sector ministries and partners (Ministry of Health and Medical Industry; Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population; Ministry of Defence, Main Directorate of Civil Defence and Rescue Operations; Ministry of Internal Affairs; the judiciary; NRCS; Keyik Okara; and others agreed with UNFPA) to discuss the revised draft SOPs, agree on outstanding issues and confirm the operationalization roadmap, including a half-day technical meeting to present the revised draft.

- Deliver one online three-day training for frontline responders from the sectors covered by the SOPs, including medical personnel, NRCS staff and volunteers, Family Support Services staff, specialists of the Emergency Management Centre of the Main Directorate of Civil Defence and Rescue Operations, border and migration services, and local administrations. The trainings will include updating local service mapping and referral pathways.

- Prepare a brief training report, including the agenda, participant list disaggregated by sex and institution, pre/post-test results, participant evaluation, and recommendations for further capacity building.

Task 5 – Final GBViE SOPs and operationalization roadmap (2 working days)

Incorporate the written comments from national partners and the results of the consultations; finalize the SOPs and annexes, including an executive summary; and finalize the roadmap for endorsement, recommendations for integration into national emergency preparedness and response plans, and roll-out (responsibilities, timeline and resources). Prepare a short presentation of the SOPs for decision-makers.

Total number of days: 15 working days

Duration and working schedule : Duration of this consultancy is 15 working days from 20 December 2026 to 20 April 2027, including operational closure of the contract

Outcomes and deliverables: Deliverable 1. Inception report (gap analysis, annotated SOP outline, consultation plan, training concept note, workplan) by 13 January 2027.

Deliverable 2. Revised consolidated draft GBViE SOPs with draft annexes and feedback integration matrix by 5 February 2027

Deliverable 3. Training package (curricula, facilitator guide, presentations, exercises, handouts, pre/post-tests) by 19 February 2027

Deliverable 4. Consultations held and online training delivered, with a brief training report, by 5 March 2027

Deliverable 5. Final GBViE SOPs with annexes, executive summary, operationalization roadmap and presentation, as well as final consultancy report by 19 March 2027.

Place where services are to be delivered: The consultancy services will need to be delivered on a home-based and online mode. However, depending on project requirements, travel permissions, and mutual agreement between UNFPA and the Government of Turkmenistan, the consultancy may include one short on-site mission to Ashgabat.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered ( e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.): Dates for deliverables are provided under the section Outcomes and deliverables. All deliverables will be provided in English in an electronic format. The International Consultant will report to the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Gender and Social Policy and the CO emergency preparedness focal point, and will provide an update biweekly on progress, challenges encountered, and support requirements.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline: The work of the IC at all stages will be monitored by the UNFPA Turkmenistan Programme Analyst on Gender and Social Policy.

Supervisory arrangements: The International Consultant will report directly to and work under the guidance of the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Gender and Social Policy, under the overall guidance of the UNFPA Head of Office.

Expected travel: The assignment is expected to be delivered remotely, including the consultations and the training. Travel to Turkmenistan is contingent upon operational feasibility and institutional approvals. Should it be required, the consultant may be requested to undertake one short-term mission to Ashgabat. Exact dates will be communicated to the Consultant and agreed accordingly. In case of travel, travel costs will be covered additionally in accordance with UN rules and regulations.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Social Work, Public Health, Law, Humanitarian Affairs, Social Sciences or a related field.;

- At least 7 years of professional experience in GBV prevention and response, of which at least 5 years in humanitarian or emergency settings (GBViE programming, coordination or case management).

- Proven experience in developing or finalizing GBViE SOPs, referral pathways and inter-agency protocols with government and humanitarian partners.

- At least 5 years of experience in designing and delivering training on GBViE for multi-sectoral audiences (health, social services, security and civil defence), including online training, using adult learning methods and training evaluation.

- In-depth knowledge of the IASC GBV Guidelines, the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming, GBV coordination in emergencies, the Interagency GBV Case Management Guidelines, GBVIMS, the MISP and clinical management of rape, and PSEA; familiarity with UNFPA guidance on dignity kits and on cash assistance in GBV case management.

- Experience working with national emergency management or civil defence authorities, including civil–military coordination, and experience of deployment as a GBV coordinator or GBViE specialist will be an asset.

- Prior experience in Central Asia and knowledge of gender equality systems and practices in the region will be an asset.

- Excellent English speaking and writing skills are required. Russian is an asset.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable : UNFPA will provide the consultant with all the necessary materials, data, information and available reports. However, additional information will be identified by the Consultant through reviews, working with specialists, and others.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any: The consultancy fee will be calculated based on the P3 Salary Scale for Professional and higher categories. The fee will be paid in a lump sum upon quality provision of all deliverables.

How you can make a difference:

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