Consultant to Conduct a Gender Analysis and Develop a Gender Equality Workplan for the UNICEF Caribbean Multi-Country Office, Eastern Caribbean Area, Barbados & Remote no travel, 3 months, # 596232

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For every child, the right to equality

How can you make a difference?

1. Background

The Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) represents a transition to a unified UNICEF programme covering twelve English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States, structured around shared regional priorities and outcomes. The 2027–2031 Multi-Country Programme is anchored around three programmatic outcomes:

•      Equitable access to primary health care, learning and skills

•      Protection of children from all forms of violence

•      Child poverty reduction and resilience strengthening

 

Gender equality is a cross-cutting programming principle and a corporate priority under the Gender Policy, 2021–2030 and UNICEF’s Gender Equality Action Plan (2026–2029), recognizing that gender discrimination shapes outcomes for children from early childhood through adolescence. Evidence from the region highlights persistent gender inequalities affecting both girls and boys, including:

• High rates of violence against children and gender-based violence
• Gendered disparities in education participation and outcomes
• Adolescent vulnerabilities, including early pregnancy and disengagement of boys from education
• Unequal impacts of poverty, climate shocks and social exclusion on different groups of children

 

Additionally, UNICEF and partners in the Caribbean have generated substantial evidence and programming approaches through initiatives such as:

• Gender Programmatic Reviews (GPRs) (e.g. Belize; Guyana/Suriname; ECA; Jamaica)
• Country Programme Preparation documents (e.g. CPDs; Programme explanatory notes)
• Spotlight Initiative Caribbean Regional Programme (2019-2023), particularly on gender-based violence and social norms
• CARICOM and regional frameworks for gender equality, education, child protection and resilience

However, a critical gap remains in translating these into a coherent, actionable, multi-country gender workplan aligned with the new MCO structure and results framework.

The UNICEF Adolescent Girls Strategy (currently being updated, document to follow soon) promotes a multisectoral, rights-based, holistic approach to deliver more deliberate, girl-focused programming; placing the rights, well-being, and leadership of adolescent girls at the very core of UNICEF work. This includes targeted, measurable actions that promote adolescent girls’ voice and agency – to shift power towards girls - alongside their health, nutrition, learning, and skills, as well as protection against violence, exploitation, abuse, and harmful practices.

However, the Caribbean notes significant challenges with the academic performance of adolescent boys and associated entanglement with gangs, violence, drug trade and intimate partner violence. Boys’ disengagement from education remains a major concern and a pressing issue despite its recognition as such by countries, and past initiatives to address it.[1] At the upper secondary education level, gender disparity at boys’ disadvantage remains wide in enrolment. Young men are also particularly disadvantaged in tertiary enrolment in Latin America and the Caribbean region, where 81 young men for every 100 young women are enrolled in tertiary education. These challenges are further reflected in juvenile justice systems across the Caribbean, where gaps in diversion, rehabilitation, reintegration, data and institutional capacity continue to affect responses to children in conflict with the law, with boys disproportionately represented among those entering the justice system.[2]

UNICEF recognizes that gender discrimination begins before birth and impedes the realization of rights through childhood, adolescence and beyond. Investments in gender equality beginning in early childhood and continuing

throughout adolescence are therefore integral to lifelong positive outcomes for children and their communities. As the organization mandated to protect and promote the rights and opportunities of children and adolescents during the time of life when gender norms are learned and solidified, UNICEF has a unique responsibility to ensure that gender equality is at the core of everything it does. The core of responsive programming lies in recognizing how gender intersects with factors such as race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and geography. These intersecting identities shape individuals' exposure to systemic discrimination, marginalization, and heightened vulnerability during crises like natural disasters and armed conflict.

The Multi-Country Office (MCO) covers twelve independent states; Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. All participating countries and territories across the coverage area are classified as high- or upper-middle-income

2. Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the UNICEF Caribbean MCO to develop a practical, results-aligned Gender Equality and Children Workplan for the 2027–2031 programme cycle, and to shape and refine country programme planning alignment with the UNICEF Gender Equality Action Plan 2026-2029 (UGEAP).

The workplan will:

• Integrate gender equality goals across the three MCO programme outcomes
• Align with national and UNICEF global priorities, including the Adolescent Girls Strategy
• Incorporate lessons from the various GPRs and the Spotlight Initiative
• Reflect national gender priorities and country-level implementation capacity
• Align with CARICOM and regional frameworks
• Provide clear actions, indicators, and accountability mechanisms for implementation through Annual Work Plans (AWPs)

3. Specific Objectives

The consultancy will pursue the following objectives:

1. Conduct a comprehensive analysis of gender and child-rights issues across the MCO countries.
2. Assess the status of implementation of previous GPR recommendations.
3. Identify priority gender inequalities in alignment with new Country Programme , inequities and gaps, as well as barriers and bottlenecks affecting girls, boys and adolescents.
4. Review and integrate relevant recommendations from the Spotlight Initiative, particularly on GBV, VAC and social norms.
5. Map national gender priorities, policies and institutional capacities for implementation.
6. Align with CARICOM and other regional frameworks/workplans relevant to gender equality and children.
7. Map gender priorities to the three MCO programme outcomes and working group structure.
8. Develop a practical and cost-conscious gender workplan aligned to MCPD outcomes and AWPs.
9. Define an Adolescent Girls Accelerator Package as a cross-cutting priority.
10. Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen gender integration, monitoring and accountability.
11. Facilitate a regional workshop to validate findings and recommendations and develop a roadmap for implementation.
12. Consultant Terms

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected consultant is solely responsible for ensuring that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. The selected consultant is subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. The vaccine mandate does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

If you would like to know more about this consultancy, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  ToRTMC0004744.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have...

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced university degree in social sciences, public health, or international development
• Work Experience: Advanced university degree in gender studies, social sciences, public policy, international development, or related field
• Minimum 8 years of experience in:
  • Gender equality programming
  • Gender analysis, GPRs, or similar reviews
  • Programme design in development or humanitarian contexts
• Demonstrated experience working with:
  • UNICEF or UN agencies
  • Results-based management frameworks
• Skills: Strong expertise in:
  • Gender-transformative programming
  • Violence prevention, education, social policy, or adolescent development
• Prior experience in:
  • Multi-country or regional programmes
  • Caribbean or SIDS contexts (highly desirable)
• Demonstrated experience in using the evidence base on gender in shaping and implementing programmes.
• Strong analytical skills in gender programme design and assessment, ideally at the national level
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong interpersonal and presentation skills
• Experience in facilitating regional workshops with multiple stakeholders, including governmental agencies.
• Language Requirements: English
• Desirables:
• Prior experience working with CARICOM and doing research in MCO setups
• Working knowledge of Dutch (for Suriname CO)

 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents via the online recruitment portal, TMS (Talent Management System):

• An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• A separate financial proposal (only acceptable in the format of the linked template)  Financial proposal TMC0004744.docx