TERMS OF REFERNCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT - Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Expert, UNFPA Mongolia 7th Country Programme Evaluation

Purpose of consultancy:

To provide an independent assessment of the UNFPA Mongolia 7th Country Programme (2023-2027) regarding its relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability, and to broaden the evidence base to inform the design of the next programme cycle.

The gender equality and women’s empowerment expert will provide expertise on the human rights of women and girls, especially sexual and reproductive rights, the empowerment of women and girls, engagement of men and boys, as well as harmful gender and social norms and GBV prevention and response. S/he will contribute to the methodological design of the evaluation and take part in the data collection and analysis work, with overall responsibility of contributions to the evaluation deliverables in her/his thematic area of expertise. 

S/he will provide substantive inputs throughout the evaluation process by contributing to the development of the evaluation methodology, evaluation work plan and agenda for the field phase, participating in meetings with the CPE manager, UNFPA Mongolia CO staff and the ERG. S/he will undertake a document review and conduct interviews and group discussions with stakeholders, as agreed with the evaluation team leader.

The deliverables, tentative workplan and details of the Country programme evaluation can be found in the  CPE terms of reference.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The consultant will serve as the technical expert on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE). Specific duties include:

1. Technical Assessment: Assess interventions related to human rights of women/girls, harmful gender norms, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and male engagement.

2. Data Collection: Contribute to the methodological design; undertake document review; and conduct interviews and group discussions with stakeholders during the field phase.

3. Reporting: Draft substantive inputs for the evaluation deliverables related to Gender and GBV thematic areas.

Duration and working schedule:

45 non-consecutive working days distributed between March 2026 and September 2026.

Place where services are to be delivered:

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with travel to sub-national project sites.

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

All deliverables must be submitted electronically in English.

• Inputs to Design Report: by 22 April 2026 

• Completion of Fieldwork: by 29 May 2026

• Inputs to Draft Final Report: by 20 July 2026

• Inputs to Final Report: by 20 August 2026

Detailed list of deliverables is included in the Country Programme Evaluation Terms of Reference document. 

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

The consultant reports to the CPE Manager and Team Leader. Payments are based on approval of deliverables:

• 20% upon approval of Design Report.

• 40% upon submission of satisfactory Draft Final Report.

• 40% upon approval of Final Report.

Supervisory arrangements: 

The consultant works under the direct supervision of the CPE Manager and the technical guidance of the International Team Leader.

Expected travel:

Approximately 3 to 4 weeks of data collection in the field (tentatively May 2026). Sites may include Western, Khangai/Central, and Gobi/Eastern regions.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

• Master’s degree in women/gender studies, human rights law, social sciences, development studies or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in conducting evaluations, reviews, assessments, research studies or M&E in the field of international development.
• Substantive knowledge of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, GBV, and issues surrounding masculinity, gender relationships and sexualitys.
• Ability to ensure ethics and integrity of the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm.
• Ability to consistently integrate human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.
• Solid knowledge of evaluation approaches and methodology and demonstrated ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken).
• Work experience in/good knowledge of the national development context of Mongolia.
• Familiarity with UNFPA or other United Nations organizations’ mandates and activities will be an advantage.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Mongolian.

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

The CO will provide background documents, facilitate stakeholder meetings, and manage logistics for field travel.

Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and travel costs for the mission will be settled separately from the consultancy fees in accordance with UNFPA Duty Travel Policy.