UN Women Consultant National : Strengthening Faith-Based & Community-Led Advocacy for SRHR and Ending Violence against Women and Girls

Background:

UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO), in collaboration with the Muskoka Fund, is convening a Religious Leaders Symposium in October 2025 as part of its broader efforts to advance gender equality and women's rights. This consultancy is aligned with the Beijing+30 Action Agenda and UN Women’s Push Forward Strategy, which respond to growing global pushback on women’s and girls’ rights, including in sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.

The Beijing+30 Action Agenda outlines six priority actions to accelerate gender equality: 1) ending violence against women and girls, 2) advancing SRHR and bodily autonomy, 3) bridging the digital gender divide, 4) promoting women’s leadership in decision-making, 5) ensuring climate justice, and 6) securing peace and inclusive societies.

The Push Forward Strategy calls for: 1) inclusive, intergenerational and intersectional dialogue, 2) community-led advocacy and solidarity networks, 3) strategic engagement with non-traditional actors including faith-based and cultural institutions, and 4) amplifying good practices to counter pushback.

Religious and traditional leaders are uniquely positioned to influence social norms and community practices. Their engagement is critical to reframing gender equality as a shared ethical and theological imperative, promoting SRHR and protection from GBV through faith-based advocacy, countering harmful narratives, and supporting community-led commitments to gender justice. This consultancy will support the development of theological and advocacy tools, facilitate strategic convenings, and design impactful sessions for the GBV Summit in February 2026, ensuring religious leaders are equipped to lead transformative change.

The consultant will report to the Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights Manager under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

• Compile and synthesize key principles, lessons, and theological documents on SRHR and GBV advocacy for religious leaders.
• Facilitate and moderate the Religious Leaders Symposium (20–21 October 2025), guiding discussions and producing actionable recommendations.
• Design strategic sessions for the GBV Summit in February 2026, tailored to religious and traditional leaders.
• Review and compile theological and advocacy materials relevant to SRHR and GBV.
• Develop a reference guide or 'reader' for religious leaders.
• Facilitate the 2-day Religious Leaders Symposium in Dakar, Senegal.
• Draft key recommendations for AU CIEFFA and GBV Summit.
• Accompany Religious leaders after the religious leaders 
• Design interactive and impactful sessions for the GBV Summit, focusing on religious and traditional leadership.
• Develop a regional project concept note and project proposal for engagement of religious and traditional leaders in West and Central Africa with specific focus on Mali, Nigeria and Niger.

 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

Deliverable Expected completion time (due day)  Annotated compilation of SRHR/GBV principles and theological resources 15 October 2025 Facilitation plan and agenda for Religious Leaders Symposium 18 October 2025 Moderation of Symposium and summary report with recommendations 25 October 2025 Design of GBV Summit sessions for religious/traditional leaders 15 January 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a home-based consultancy with some official travel required particularly for key events including the religious leaders’ symposium and the GBV Summit.

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:

• Strategic campaign planning and facilitation
• Knowl