Individual consultant: national consultant to conduct data collection for situational analysis on existing case management response for married girls

Purpose of Consultancy:

UNFPA Cambodia Country Office requests the services of a national consultant to conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions to support a Multi-Country Situational Analysis on Existing Case Management Response for Married Girls.

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 (2026-2029), 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.

Scope of work:

The consultant will provide short-term technical assistance, research and outreach services to support the research and analysis. Specifically, the country consultants will be responsible for the following tasks:

Phase 1: Planning and Design

• Participate in team planning online meetings during planning and design phase. This includes a ‘kick off’ meeting to go over the SoW and general overview of the project.
• Co-review and validate qualitative data collection instruments (FGD and KII guides) to ensure contextual relevance and clarity.
• Participate in orientation on sensitive qualitative interviewing and participant engagement strategies tailored to married adolescent girls and caregivers.
• Contribute to the generation of a list of key informants (names, titles, contact information) and make initial contact with these organizations.
• Support in the organisation of the FGDs with community members, including girls and ensure they fit the right profile.
• Schedule interviews and organize FGDs.

Phase 2: Implementation

• Participate in the team planning meeting at the start of the data collection phase.
• Lead key informant interviews and take detailed notes, and coordinate, facilitate and record focus group discussions (FGDs) where appropriate.
• At the end of each day of interviews/FGDs, identify key themes and code notes in a shared spreadsheet.

Phase 3: Analysis and Dissemination

• Participate in at least 2 online meetings with the other country consultants and the international consultant to discuss the themes emerging from the data collection effort.
• Produce four-page summary of major themes and recommendations at the country level.
• Participate in the research team’s participatory analysis online workshop, contributing to the qualitative analysis of the interview data and identifying recommendations for the regional strategy.
• Organise validation sessions with community members, especially married girls to feed back the data and verify key data points.

Duration and working schedule:

The consultant is expected to commence work in October 2026 and to finish at the latest in December 2026. This consultancy is based upon 27 estimated days of work (excluding travel to the two-three provinces).

Please note that this is a results-based consultancy. The number of days indicated are an estimate only. UNFPA provides payment on an output basis only with payment will be made upon adequate completion of tasks to the quality set out by UNFPA.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The assignment is based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and expected to travel to 2-3 provinces (Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Preah Vihear). Working time and hours: Phnom Penh time zone.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

The consultant is expected to commence to work in October 2026 and finish by 31st of December 2026.

The suggested payment schedule is detailed below:

1. The first payment of 30% will be made upon receipt and acceptance of the First Deliverable as per the table of deliverables (attached). (November 2026)
2. The remaining 70% will be made upon approval by the Representative and acceptance of the 2nd Deliverable as per the table of deliverables (attached). (December 2026)

Please refer to the attached ToR for more detail information.

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

• University degree, preferably at Masters’ level, in the social sciences or related field such as women’s studies or gender/GBV and development studies or child development/protection.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of GBV work with civil society organizations or international NGOs.
• A technical foundation in GBV and one or more of the following areas:
• Social sciences
• Adolescent girls
• Child marriage
• Gender analysis, adolescent girls empowerment, qualitative and/or mixed methods research, strong consultation and interviewing skills policy development, excellent writing and documentation skills.
• National language, Khmer and English.
• Works well in a team environment, demonstrates integrity, able to multi-task, inclusive of all people and fosters participation of others.

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,
• Communicating for impact

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.