The Position:

Sudan’s protracted crisis has escalated GBV risks, disrupted services, and constrained safe data collection. UNFPA’s “Voices from ...” series generates rapid, ethical, qualitative insights to inform humanitarian programming, advocacy, and resource allocation. Building on prior “Voices from Sudan” iterations, Voices from Sudan 2.0 aims to deepen understanding of:
● Trends in GBV risk and protective factors across diverse displacement/host settings.
● Barriers/facilitators to accessing lifesaving GBV services (health, MHPSS, case management, legal, safety);
● Community perceptions of accountability, survivor-centred approaches, and PSEA.
● Service availability/quality gaps to inform the HNO/HRP and in-year response adjustments. The assignment will be implemented by a national consultant in close partnership with CVAW for government liaison, ethical approvals (as applicable), and alignment with national standards; and with the GBV AoR for technical guidance, field access via partners, and quality assurance.

The incumbent will report to the GBV AoR Coordinator.

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:

Sudan’s ongoing crisis has increased GBV risks and disrupted services, and UNFPA’s “Voices from Sudan 2.0” will generate rapid, ethical insights on GBV trends, service access, community perceptions, and gaps to inform humanitarian response, implemented by a national consultant in partnership with CVAW for government liaison and with the GBV AoR for technical guidance and quality assurance.

You would be responsible for:

technical guidance, field access via partners, and quality assurance.

Scope of work:
(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Overall Objective: Generate timely, credible, and ethically collected qualitative evidence on GBV risks, impacts, and service access to inform programming, coordination, and advocacy in Sudan.
Specific Objectives:
1. Adapt the existing Voices from Sudan 1.0 tools (FGDs, KIIs, prompts) to the 2.0 context in close consultation with CVAW and GBV AoR/ UNFPA.
2. Collect qualitative data safely across prioritized locations (to be confirmed with UNFPA/CVAW/GBV AoR), using in-person modalities.
3. Analyze data using a transparent coding framework; triangulate with secondary sources.
4. Produce a concise Voices from Sudan 2.0 Report (English & Arabic) ((approx 45 pages )with actionable recommendations for government, clusters, and donors.
5. Present findings to stakeholders (CVAW, GBV AoR, Health Cluster, Protection Cluster, donors) and integrate feedback.

Task 1 – Inception & Coordination (Month 1)

● Hold inception meetings with UNFPA GBV team, CVAW focal points, and GBV AoR.

● Review existing materials (previous Voices from Sudan report(s), HNO/HRP, 4/5Ws, GBVIMS+ in available states, GBV and PSEA SOPs, service mapping, safety audits).
● Develop an Inception Report including refined objectives; sampling frame; site selection rationale; risk analysis & mitigation; detailed methodology; ethical safeguards; data management plan; workplan & timeline; and a stakeholder engagement/coordination plan with CVAW.

Task 2 – Tool Adaptation & Ethics (Month 1)

● Adapt the existing Voices from Sudan 1.0 Arabic data collection tools (FGD/KII guides, consent scripts) for the 2.0 round; translate to English for review.
● Integrate survivor-centred, do-no-harm, and PSEA principles.
● Secure CVAW endorsement/letter(s) and any required ethical/administrative clearances.

Task 3 – Field Team Preparation (Month 1–2)

● Propose and help onboard up to 6 facilitators/note-takers (gender-
balanced where feasible; Arabic/Sudanese dialects; safeguarding vetted).
● Deliver a day training on GBV basics, ethics, trauma-informed interviewing, referral pathways, safe sampling, confidentiality, and incident reporting/PSEA.
● Pilot the adapted tools and refine.
Task 4 – Data Collection (Month 2–3)

● Implement ~24–30 FGDs (6–8 participants each, stratified by age/sex/displacement status as context allows) and ~30–40 KIIs (service providers, community leaders, youth, women’s groups, DPOs, health workers, case managers, where relevant).
● Ensure real-time risk monitoring, in person modalities wherever safe, and immediate referrals using verified service directories.
● Maintain secure, anonymized transcripts/notes and metadata logs. 

Task 5 – Analysis & Reporting (Month 3–4)

● Adapt a coding framework (manual or software-assisted- MAXQDA) aligned to themes: risks, coping, access, quality, accountability, PSEA, recommendations.
● Triangulate with secondary data (service coverage, 4/5Ws, safety audits, GBVIMS+ aggregated trends where available).
● Produce a Draft Voices from Sudan 2.0 Report (≤40 pages excl. annexes) in English with an Executive Summary in Arabic & English; prepare the full Arabic version after validation.
● Draft products for advocacy: a 2–3-page Brief, talking points, and slide deck.

Task 6 – Validation & Dissemination (Month 5)

● Facilitate one national and up to three subnational validation/briefing sessions with CVAW, GBV AoR partners, clusters, and donors.
● Incorporate feedback and submit final English & Arabic reports and communication products.

Duration and working schedule: 5 months

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

1. Inception Report (EN) – end of Month 1
2. Adapted Arabic Tools Pack + EN back-translation – end of Month 1
3. Training Report – early Month 2
4. Fieldwork Progress Notes – biweekly during Months 2–3
5. Draft Report + Advocacy Products – end of Month 3
6. Validation Sessions (slides + minutes) – Month 4
7. Final Report (EN & AR) + Advocacy Package – end of Month 4

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

The consultancy will be monitored through structured progress checks, deliverables review, and stakeholder feedback to ensure quality, timeliness, and adherence to ethical and safeguarding standards.
1. Reporting Requirements
● Biweekly Progress Notes (Months 2–3): Consultant to submit short
written updates on fieldwork progress, challenges, and mitigation
measures.
● Monthly Updates (Months 1–4): Brief progress reports to UNFPA/GBV AoR focal points summarizing achievements against planned tasks, risks, and next steps.
● Deliverable-based Monitoring: Each key deliverable (Inception Report, Tools Pack, Training Report, Draft Report, Advocacy Package, Validation outputs, Final Report) will be reviewed and approved by
UNFPA, CVAW, and GBV AoR.
2. Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance
● Steering/Technical Group (CVAW, GBV AoR, UNFPA, partners): Provides periodic technical guidance and signs off on deliverables.
● GBV AoR Coordinator: Direct supervision line, ensuring day-to-day oversight.
● Quality Reviews: Draft products (tools, transcripts, reports) will be reviewed against survivor-centred and do-no-harm principles before validation.
3. Monitoring Methods
● Checklists & Templates: Use UNFPA/GBV AoR templates for inception planning, data collection, and reporting.
● Field Monitoring: Real-time risk monitoring during data collection, with immediate referral tracking.
● Validation Sessions: Used as monitoring checkpoints to ensure findings are accurate, actionable, and reflective of diverse voices.
4. Deadlines & Control
● Deliverables must follow the agreed timeline (Month 1–4) with delays
communicated immediately.

● Any deviations from methodology or sampling framework require prior approval from the supervisory group.
● Consultant must ensure compliance with safeguarding, PSEA, and ethical standards throughout the process.
5. Accountability & Feedback Loop
● Stakeholder feedback (CVAW, AoR partners, clusters, donors) will be systematically documented and integrated into revisions.
● Consultant to maintain clear documentation of decisions, challenges, and adaptations for transparency.
● UNFPA retains ownership of all data and outputs, with consultant accountable for secure handling and transfer.

Supervisory
arrangements:

● Reporting Line: Consultant reports to GBV AoR coordinator, with daytoday coordination by the Voices 2.0 focal point.
● Steering/Technical Group: CVAW, GBV AoR, UNFPA, and designated partners provide periodic technical guidance and approve deliverables.
● Coordination: Regular updates to CVAW focal points; alignment with Protection/Health clusters; liaison with relevant government/NGO service providers.

Expected travel: Field visits in various states for data collection when feasible
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced degree in social sciences, gender studies, public health, or related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

At least 5–7 years of experience in GBV research/programming in Sudan or similar contexts.
● Strong qualitative research and facilitation experience.
● Proven track record in ethical GBV data collection.
● Fluency in Arabic and English. Demonstrable experience in writing reports of a high level in English. Familiarity with CVAW, GBV AoR, and humanitarian coordination structures.

Languages: 

Fluent in Arabic and English

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,

Functional Competencies:

Delivering results-based programmes
• Providing a technical support system
• Strengthening the programming capacity of Country Offices
• Facilitating quality programmatic results
• Job/knowledge

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Engaging internal/external partners and Stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.