Consultant: Gender Analysis and Equality Workplan

Consultant to Conduct a Gender Analysis and Develop a Gender Equality Workplan

Job no.: 596232
Contract type: Consultant
Duty station: Bridgetown, Barbados
Duration: 3 months
Work arrangement: Remote, no travel
Application deadline: 22 October 2026

For every child, the right to equality.

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights and help them fulfil their potential.

At UNICEF, promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling. We welcome professionals who want to contribute to a diverse, committed and passionate organisation working to build a better future for every child.

How can you make a difference?

Background

The UNICEF Caribbean Multi-Country Office (MCO) represents a transition to a unified programme covering 12 English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2027–2031 Multi-Country Programme is organised around three programme 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 UNICEF’s Gender Policy, 2021–2030, and Gender Equality Action Plan, 2026–2029. Gender discrimination shapes children’s experiences and outcomes from early childhood through adolescence, affecting their access to education, health, protection and opportunities.

Across the Caribbean, persistent gender inequalities include gender-based violence and violence against children; disparities in educational participation and outcomes; adolescent vulnerabilities, including early pregnancy; boys’ disengagement from education; and the unequal effects of poverty, climate shocks and social exclusion.

UNICEF and its partners have generated important evidence and programming approaches through Gender Programmatic Reviews, Country Programme Preparation processes, the Spotlight Initiative Caribbean Regional Programme (2019–2023), and regional frameworks addressing gender equality, education, child protection and resilience.

However, there remains a need to translate this evidence into a coherent, practical and results-oriented gender equality workplan aligned with the new MCO structure and programme framework.

The consultancy will also support the integration of priorities under UNICEF’s Adolescent Girls Strategy, which promotes a multisectoral, rights-based approach to advancing adolescent girls’ rights, well-being, voice, agency, health, nutrition, learning and protection. At the same time, it will address persistent challenges affecting boys, including educational disengagement, violence and disproportionate representation in child justice systems.

Recognising that gender inequality intersects with disability, socioeconomic status, ethnicity and geography, among other factors, the assignment will help strengthen inclusive and gender-transformative programming across the MCO.

Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF’s Caribbean MCO in developing a practical, results-aligned Gender Equality and Children Workplan for the 2027–2031 programme cycle, while strengthening the alignment of country programme planning with UNICEF’s Gender Equality Action Plan, 2026–2029.

The workplan will integrate gender equality across the three MCO programme outcomes, reflect national and regional priorities, draw on lessons from previous initiatives, and establish clear actions, indicators and accountability mechanisms for implementation through Annual Work Plans.

It will also identify opportunities to advance child-sensitive, gender-transformative programming and establish an Adolescent Girls Accelerator Package as a cross-cutting priority.

Key objectives

The consultant will:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of gender and child-rights issues across the 12 MCO countries.
• Assess implementation of recommendations from previous Gender Programmatic Reviews and identify remaining gaps.
• Identify priority gender inequalities, inequities, barriers and bottlenecks affecting girls, boys and adolescents.
• Review and integrate relevant recommendations from the Spotlight Initiative, particularly on gender-based violence, violence against children and social norms.
• Map national gender priorities, policies and institutional capacities for implementation.
• Align proposed actions with CARICOM and other relevant regional frameworks and workplans.
• Map gender priorities to the three MCO programme outcomes and associated working group structures.
• Develop a practical, cost-conscious gender equality workplan aligned with the Multi-Country Programme and Annual Work Plans.
• Define an Adolescent Girls Accelerator Package as a cross-cutting programming priority.
• Recommend measures to strengthen gender integration, monitoring and accountability.
• Facilitate a regional workshop to validate findings and recommendations and develop a roadmap for implementation.

Expected focus

The assignment will help UNICEF and its partners identify evidence-based actions that address gender inequalities throughout childhood and adolescence, strengthen the prevention of violence, improve educational and development outcomes, and promote equitable access to services and opportunities.

The resulting workplan should provide a practical framework for translating regional evidence and national priorities into measurable programme actions, with clear responsibilities and mechanisms for monitoring progress.

To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…

Minimum requirements

Education

An advanced university degree in gender studies, social sciences, public policy, international development or a related field. Relevant expertise in gender equality programming and child-sensitive development is essential.

Work experience

At least eight years of relevant professional experience in:

• Gender equality programming.
• Gender analysis, Gender Programmatic Reviews or comparable assessments.
• Programme design in development or humanitarian contexts.

Candidates should demonstrate experience working with UNICEF or other UN agencies, as well as familiarity with results-based management frameworks.

Technical expertise and skills

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Strong expertise in gender-transformative programming.
• Knowledge of violence prevention, education, social policy or adolescent development.
• Experience using evidence and gender analysis to inform programme design and implementation.
• Strong analytical skills in gender programme design and assessment, ideally at national level.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Experience facilitating regional workshops involving multiple stakeholders, including government agencies.

Experience in multi-country or regional programmes is required as a relevant area of expertise. Familiarity with Caribbean or small island developing State (SIDS) contexts is highly desirable.

Language requirements

Fluency in English is required.

Desirable qualifications

• Previous experience working with CARICOM.
• Experience conducting research or programme assessments in multi-country office settings.
• Working knowledge of Dutch, particularly in relation to Suriname.

Consultancy conditions

Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract are not considered staff members under the UN Staff Regulations and Rules or UNICEF policies and procedures. Consultants are not entitled to staff benefits such as leave entitlements and medical insurance. Their conditions of service are governed by the consultancy contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants.

Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and paying applicable taxes and duties in accordance with relevant laws. The selected consultant is also responsible for ensuring that any required visa and health insurance remain valid throughout the assignment.

The COVID-19 vaccination requirement does not apply to consultants working remotely who are not expected to visit UNICEF premises or programme delivery locations, interact directly with communities served by UNICEF, or travel to perform their duties for the duration of their contract.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to request any necessary accommodation during the recruitment and selection process.

For every child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do.

UNICEF is committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the diversity of the children it serves. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background or any other status.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to safeguarding all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18).

How to apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents through UNICEF’s online Talent Management System (TMS):

1. An up-to-date TMS profile and curriculum vitae (CV).
2. A cover letter.
3. A separate financial proposal using only the prescribed template.

Application deadline: 22 October 2026.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of recruitment, selection or hiring, and will never ask applicants to provide bank account information. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the recruitment process.

For further information about working with UNICEF, visit: Vacancies | UNICEF Careers