National Consultant: Review and Harmonization of Male Engagement Toolkits, Lilongwe, Malawi

National Consultant: Review and Harmonization of Male Engagement Toolkits, Malawi

Location: Lilongwe, Malawi

Job Identification: 34431

Posting Date: 05/22/2026, 05:01 PM

Application Deadline: 05/30/2026, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule: Full-time

Grade: NOC

Vacancy Type: Individual Consultancy

Contract Duration: 2 months

Required Languages: Fluency in English (Verbal and Written)

Desired Languages: Knowledge of Chichewa is desirable

Vacancy Timeline: 1 Week

Job Description

The Position:

This consultancy, focused on reviewing and harmonizing male engagement toolkits for gender equality, SRHR, and HIV prevention in Malawi, will be based in Lilongwe. The consultant will report to UNFPA Malawi and collaborate closely with Gender and Adolescent & Youth Teams, government ministries, implementing partners, UN agencies, and a multi-agency technical task force. The role involves providing strategic and technical direction for the assessment, analysis, harmonization, and enhancement of existing male engagement toolkits, curricula, dialogue guides, and community engagement strategies used within UNFPA-supported programs and by partners. This includes models like barbershops, male champions, boys' transformation programs, and safe spaces.

The consultant's objective is to support the creation of a unified, evidence-based, and gender-transformative male engagement toolkit or framework. This will be aligned with Malawi's National Male Engagement Strategy (2023-2030), National HIV Prevention Strategy, and broader priorities for SRHR and gender equality. The consultant will lead technical reviews, stakeholder consultations, and validation processes, alongside comparative analyses. The aim is to strengthen the integration of HIV prevention, SRHR, GBV prevention, positive masculinities, youth engagement, social norms transformation, condom promotion, partner testing, PrEP, VMMC, and referral pathways into community-based male engagement initiatives. This work will contribute to scalable and sustainable approaches for advancing gender equality and improving HIV and SRHR outcomes in Malawi.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is dedicated to achieving a world where every pregnancy is planned, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is realized. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 outlines the organization's approach to navigating a complex global landscape, serving as a roadmap for resilience and renewal. This plan accelerates the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. UNFPA pursues this mandate by focusing on four key outcomes: addressing unmet needs for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, eliminating gender-based violence and harmful practices, and adapting to demographic shifts through evidence-based and rights-centered policies.

In an era where fundamental human rights are challenged, UNFPA seeks principled and ethical staff who embody and courageously champion international norms and standards.

UNFPA is looking for individuals who can transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact, sustainable results. This includes fostering effective external relations, communication, and partnership-building, as well as resource mobilization in a dynamic development and funding environment. We require staff who are transparent, manage entrusted resources exceptionally, and are committed to achieving excellence in program outcomes.

Job Purpose:

The core purpose of this consultancy is to facilitate the review, analysis, harmonization, and enhancement of existing male engagement toolkits, curricula, manuals, and dialogue guides utilized across UNFPA-supported and partner-led programs in Malawi. The consultancy aims to bolster the integration of gender equality, HIV prevention, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, positive masculinities, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes within male engagement initiatives. The consultant will play a key role in developing a unified, evidence-informed male engagement toolkit/framework that aligns with Malawi's National Male Engagement Strategy (2023-2030), National HIV Prevention Strategy, and overarching SRHR and gender equality priorities.

You would be responsible for:

• Inception and Planning: Conduct initial meetings with UNFPA and the technical task team. Develop an inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement strategy, review framework, and timelines. Create consultation and data collection tools.
• Mapping and Desk Review: Compile and map all current male engagement toolkits, manuals, curricula, facilitation guides, and dialogue tools used within UNFPA-supported programs. Review materials from initiatives including:
• • Barbershop toolkits.
• • Male champions training manuals.
• • Boys' transformation programs.
• • Safe space manuals.
• • Community dialogue guides.
• • Youth engagement and mentorship approaches.
• Perform a comparative analysis of these tools to assess:
• • Gender-transformative approaches.
• • Integration of HIV prevention.
• • Inclusion of SRHR and GBV content.
• • Facilitation methodologies.
• • Alignment with national policies and strategies.
• Stakeholder Consultations: Facilitate discussions with:
• • Government ministries and departments.
• • Implementing partners.
• • Youth representatives.
• • Male champions and mentors.
• • Civil society organizations.
• • Traditional and religious leaders.
• Gather stakeholder insights on:
• • Strengths and weaknesses of current tools.
• • Identified gaps and overlaps.
• • Opportunities for harmonization.
• • Emerging HIV prevention priorities.
• • Strategies for engaging influential male figures.
• Toolkit Harmonization and Strengthening: Develop a harmonized male engagement toolkit/framework. Enhance the integration of:
• • HIV prevention knowledge.
• • Condom promotion and partner testing.
• • Awareness of PrEP and Lenacapavir.
• • Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC).
• • Uptake of SRHR services.
• • GBV prevention and referral pathways.
• • Positive masculinities and social norms transformation.
• • Engagement with youth and adolescent boys.
• Benchmark the toolkit against regional and global best practices. Ensure alignment with national strategies and policies.
• Validation and Finalization: Present draft findings and the toolkit/framework to stakeholders. Organize and lead a national validation workshop. Incorporate feedback received from stakeholders. Finalize and submit the harmonized toolkit/framework and the comprehensive consultancy report.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

An advanced university degree in Public Health, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Sociology, SRHR/HIV-related disciplines, or equivalent fields.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Proven experience in reviewing, developing, or harmonizing training curricula and community engagement toolkits.
• Strong expertise in gender-transformative programming and male engagement methodologies.
• Experience in HIV prevention programs, including condom promotion, PrEP, VMMC, and community-based HIV prevention strategies.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and validation workshops.
• Proficient analytical, report writing, facilitation, and synthesis skills.
• Familiarity with Malawi's policy and program landscape.
• Experience working collaboratively with government entities, UN agencies, and development partners.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is essential.
• Proficiency in Chichewa is considered an advantage.

Competencies:

• Capacity to synthesize technical information for diverse audiences.
• Understanding of rights-based and gender-transformative approaches.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage tasks effectively under demanding timelines.

Compensation and Benefits:

Remuneration for this consultancy will be in accordance with UNFPA's standard consultancy payment guidelines.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA fosters a work environment that upholds the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to achieving gender parity within the organization and strongly encourage applications from women. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations can be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to facilitate their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection, irrespective of personal characteristics or dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are central to UNFPA's workforce.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment are contingent upon successful background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance, and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not levy any fees for applications, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or any other aspect of the recruitment process. UNFPA does not request or manage applicants' bank account information.

Required Skills:

• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Coordination and facilitation
• Report writing and presentation