UN Women: National Men and Boys Engagement Consultant, Home-based, Turkiye

Background/Context:

UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead UN entity on gender equality and secretariat of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, UN Women shift laws, institutions, social behaviours and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world. UN Women’s partnerships with governments, women’s movements and the private sector coupled with its coordination of the broader United Nations translate progress into lasting changes.

In Türkiye, in line with its global Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and Country Strategic Note (2022-2025) , and the overall UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Türkiye (UNSDCF) (2026-2030) , UN Women works towards the overarching goal of “Women and girls including those at greatest risk of being left behind fully exercise their human rights, enjoy a life free from violence and discrimination, and lead, influence and benefit from sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development towards the advancement of gender equality in Türkiye”. UN Women works in four thematic areas: (i) governance and participation in public life; (ii) women’s economic empowerment; (iii) ending violence against women and girls; and (iv) women, peace and security, humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction. In line with its coordination mandate, UN Women promotes coordination and coherence across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through joint programmatic and advocacy actions and initiatives, standardized tools and guidance and services to strengthen the relevant capacities of the UN system.

Towards these goals, UN Women implements programmes and projects that aim to advance gender equality, improve women’s access to opportunities, rights, and services in political, social, and economic life, and combat gender stereotypes, discrimination, and violence, as required by international and national legal and policy commitments. UN Women collaborates with numerous partners – central and local level government authorities, civil society organizations, including women’s organizations and platforms, academia, private sector companies, and other UN agencies. It commits itself to the Leave No One Behind principle, by supporting targeted actions to remove the obstacles that marginalized and vulnerable groups of women face in accessing their rights and to promote them as agents of change. UN Women Türkiye has been at the forefront of support for Türkiye’s continuous commitment to implement international norms and standards on women’s rights, and the enhancement and implementation of relevant national legal and policy frameworks. The Country Office has been operational in Türkiye since 2012.

In the area of ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) and other harmful practices, UN Women supports enhancing services on VAWG prevention and protection through strengthened capacities of institutions, improved data management, better coordination, and empowerment of women and girls who are at risk of and/or are survivors of violence. Furthermore, to address the underlying root causes of VAWG and harmful practices, UN Women Türkiye works towards favorable social norms, attitudes, and behaviors at the individual, community, and institutional levels that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. Currently, UN Women in Türkiye has a diverse and growing portfolio on Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) which is led by a Programme Specialist, under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director.

Within the scope of “ Restoring and Strengthening the Preventive and Protective Services in response to Violence Against Women affected by the earthquakes in Türkiye (2024-2027) ” project, UN Women aims to restore and strengthen both the physical infrastructure and technical capacities of VAW service provision through a survivor-centered and rights-based approach that contributes the empowerment of women. The project aims to establish good models that can then be scaled up to become part of the overall MOFSS response to violence against women in their areas of competence under the scope of the project.

The Impact/ Overall Objective of the Project is to improve the protection of women and children’s rights in earthquake affected regions in Türkiye. The project comprises of the following 1 Outcome/Special Objective and 4 Outputs:

• Outcome/ Specific Objective 1: To enhance access to quality prevention, protection and empowerment services for women and girls at risk of and survivors of VAWG, in the earthquake-affected provinces and provinces receiving migration from the affected region, in line with national and international standards.
  • Output 1.1. Reconstructed women shelters for survivors of violence and their accompanying children in selected earthquakes affected provinces and migration receiving ones, in line with the national and international standards and good practices.
  • Output 1.2. Strengthened and refurbished shelters and violence prevention and monitoring centres for survivors and those at risk of violence against women and girls, and their accompanying children in selected earthquakes affected provinces and provinces that received migration to meet the increasing needs.
  • Output 1.3. Increased technical knowledge, skills and enhanced tools of the public personnel providing and coordinating violence prevention and protection services at the institutions of Ministry of Family and Social Services and Law Enforcement institutions in the target provinces.
  • Output 1.4. Increased access of survivors to opportunities supporting their socio-economic empowerment and well-being, including in the post-shelter period.
• Provide technical inputs to the design, contextualization, and adaptation of men and boys engagement curricula on gender equality, non-violent masculinities, bystander intervention, caregiving, positive family roles, parenting skills, healthy communication, and prevention of digital violence.
• Review and analyze relevant national data and research on men’s attitudes towards violence against women in Türkiye (including recent statistics from TÜİK, TURKSAT, and other public and institutional studies), and support the development of evidence-based training materials aimed at preventing violence, transforming discriminatory norms and harmful behaviour patterns, and strengthening societal engagement in combating violence against women.
• Ensure that all materials and approaches are evidence-based, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and fully consistent with national legislation—particularly Law No. 6284—and international standards.
• Advise on strategies to engage diverse male groups, including fathers, young men, community leaders, opinion leaders, male frontline personnel, and men in, ensuring approaches are aligned with the project,
• Design and support the roll-out of Training of Trainers (ToT) modules on male engagement, ensuring alignment with the project’s ToT model and broader outreach strategy, including the planned two-day awareness seminars targeting male personnel and community opinion leaders in Konya, Şanlıurfa, and Trabzon, and contributing to the institutionalization and sustainability of facilitation capacities within MoFSS and partner institutions.
• Coordinate with MoFSS, municipalities, CSOs/WLOs, youth groups, men’s networks, and community leaders, contributing to relevant TWG meetings and facilitating consultations to ensure inclusive, ethical, and coherent implementation of men engagement and broader prevention interventions.
• Support planning,the supervision and coordination of relevant partner activities.

Under Output 1.3, the project also includes activities to promote positive masculinities, engage men and boys as allies, and strengthen prevention-oriented institutional responses aligned with the 5 TH National Action Plan on EVAW and international standards.

To advance this, UN Women will hire a Men and Boys Engagement Consultant to support the development, adaptation, and delivery of evidence-based, culturally sensitive, survivor-centered and trauma-informed approaches to engaging men and boys in preventing VAWG, addressing harmful gender norms, and reinforcing gender-equitable behaviors in affected provinces.

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Specialist (EVAW), the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director, and in close collaboration with the Directorate General on the Status of Women (DGWS), MoFSS provincial directorates, and relevant UN Women partners.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

1. Provide Technical Expertise on Engaging Men for EVAWG Prevention:

Provide Technical Expertise on Engaging Men for EVAWG Prevention:

• Provide technical inputs to the design, contextualization, and adaptation of men and boys engagement curricula on gender equality, non-violent masculinities, bystander intervention, caregiving, positive family roles, parenting skills, healthy communication, and prevention of digital violence.
• Review and analyze relevant national data and research on men’s attitudes towards violence against women in Türkiye (including recent statistics from TÜİK, TURKSAT, and other public and institutional studies), and support the development of evidence-based training materials aimed at preventing violence, transforming discriminatory norms and harmful behaviour patterns, and strengthening societal engagement in combating violence against women.
• Ensure that all materials and approaches are evidence-based, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and fully consistent with national legislation—particularly Law No. 6284—and international standards.
• Advise on strategies to engage diverse male groups, including fathers, young men, community leaders, opinion leaders, male frontline personnel, and men in, ensuring approaches are aligned with the project,
• Design and support the roll-out of Training of Trainers (ToT) modules on male engagement, ensuring alignment with the project’s ToT model and broader outreach strategy, including the planned two-day awareness seminars targeting male personnel and community opinion leaders in Konya, Şanlıurfa, and Trabzon, and contributing to the institutionalization and sustainability of facilitation capacities within MoFSS and partner institutions.
• Coordinate with MoFSS, municipalities, CSOs/WLOs, youth groups, men’s networks, and community leaders, contributing to relevant TWG meetings and facilitating consultations to ensure inclusive, ethical, and coherent implementation of men engagement and broader prevention interventions.
• Support planning,the supervision and coordination of relevant partner activities.

2. Support the Development, Quality Assurance and Delivery of Men Engagement Training and Knowledge Products

• Develop, adapt, and refine training materials, session guides, checklists, and tools focused on transforming harmful masculinities and promoting positive, non-violent behaviors among men including tailored resource packages to support Training of Trainers (ToT) graduates in delivering follow-up awareness and engagement activities.
• Review and ensure the quality of materials developed by the implementing partners, confirming they are evidence-based, gender-transformative, ethical, do-no-harm compliant, and aligned with international standards for engaging men in VAWG prevention.
• Integrate learnings from field visits, consultations with project stakeholders, monitoring data, and participant feedback into updated knowledge products and training content.
• Co-design and/or deliver workshops for MoFSS, municipalities, CSOs/WLOs, male community actors, and youth groups on positive masculinities, gender equality, early warning and bystander engagement, challenging harmful stereotypes and supporting survivors’ rights
• Support the roll-out of Training of Trainers (ToT) modules on engaging men, ensuring alignment with the ToT model and the broader outreach strategy targeting approximately 3,000 men, while promoting the institutionalization and sustainability of facilitation capacities.
• Provide responsive, context-driven guidance to partners, facilitators, and designated institutional staff, as required, to support male engagement interventions.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel:

This is a home-based assignment with travels to project provinces when needed. UN Women Türkiye Office will cover the organization and the costs of the consultant’s travel as per UN Women’s rules and regulations.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated expertise in men engagement, masculinities, and EVAWG prevention including designing and delivering large-scale trainings aimed at transforming norms, strengthening positive masculinities
• Proven ability to design, contextualize, and facilitate high-quality Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes, incorporating adult learning principles, participatory facilitation techniques, and culturally sensitive approaches tailored to government institutions, frontline service providers, and community opinion leaders.
• Familiarity with ethical, safe, and survivor-centered and do-no-harm approaches male engagement approaches and compliance with UN Women’s global standards on prevention programming.
• Knowledge of Türkiye’s EVAWG legislative and policy frameworks including Law No. 6284, national action plans, and institutional mandates of MoFSS.
• Ability to liaise effectively with government, CSOs, WLOs, youth groups, and community leaders and inter-agency coordination skills in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong analytical, documentation, and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to integrate intersectional perspectives, ensuring that approaches reflect the experiences and needs of diverse groups such as rural men, young men, fathers, men in, and influencers in post-earthquake or high-migration contexts.
• Capacity to provide senior-level technical advisory support, including mentoring facilitators, quality-assuring partner-delivered interventions, identifying gaps, and guiding institutionalization and sustainability of men engagement within government structures.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in sociology, social work, gender studies or psychology field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in EVAWG prevention, engaging men, masculinities, or gender-transformative programming and overseeing interventions aimed at transforming harmful norms and strengthening prevention systems at institutional and community levels. is required.
• Extensive experience in designing and implementing training programmes for government institutions, law enforcement or frontline social services is required.
• Experience working with government institutions, CSOs/WLOs, municipalities, community leaders or youth groups is required.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluating training outcomes including developing M&E tools, collecting participant feedback, integrating learnings into programme design, and producing high-quality analytical reports is highly desirable

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Turkish is required.

Important Notes:

Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process .

Payments:

Payments will be made on a monthly basis, based on the provision of timesheets and supporting deliverables approved by the UN Women Programme Specialist, who shall confirm Consultant’s work is completed and eligible for payment. The total duration of the contract is 30 working days until 31 March 2027.

Mandatory Training Courses:

The Consultant shall complete all the mandatory and other required UN training courses and modules on time. The certificates shall be submitted to the supervisor and the HR focal point.

Multiple Contracts:

It is permissible for a Consultant to be engaged by UN Women if the individual has a contract with another employer, provided that there is no actual or perceived conflict of interest and that the performance of the required services for UN Women is feasible (for example, where both contracts involve a part‑time work schedule).

Where the Consultant holds a full‑time contract with another employer, eligibility will be subject to the Consultant’s ability to present formal acknowledgement or approval from their primary employer confirming that engagement with UN Women is permitted. Candidates unable to provide such acknowledgement will not be considered eligible.

Taxes:

The consultant is responsible for payment of any taxes that may be due on the gross fees received from UN Women for their services. UN Women has no liability for taxes, duties or other payments payable by the Individual Contractor on remuneration made under the contract.

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)