Consultant, Regional Action Forum Coordinator

Consultant, Regional Action Forum Coordinator

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, UNICEF, the world's leading children's rights organization, invites you to apply. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. As the world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations, and governments, employing over 12,000 staff in more than 145 countries.

Background and Purpose of Assignment

UNICEF's Child Protection Global program on harmful practices is seeking a dedicated individual consultant to support the coordination and strategic strengthening of the Regional Action Forum (RAF) to End Child Marriage in the Arab World. This consultancy is pivotal in leading key deliverables related to the Forum's effective functioning, positioning, and impact, working in close collaboration with UNICEF and UNFPA harmful practices focal points for the Middle East and Arab World.

The Regional Action Forum to End Child Marriage in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)/Arab States region was established in 2018. It was developed based on findings from the UNICEF multi-country Regional Study on Child Marriage in MENA (2017) and extensive consultations with UNICEF and UNFPA country offices, civil society, donors, academic institutions, and UN partners. The RAF embodies a collective commitment by development and humanitarian actors to coordinate efforts to end child marriage in the Arab world, aligning with UN reform and global accountability frameworks. With child marriage remaining a firm fixture on global and regional development agendas, the RAF facilitates coordinated action, evidence-to-practice learning, and joint advocacy to combat its drivers and impacts.

In 2026, the RAF will transition into a new phase, moving beyond mere coordination to emphasize systems-based approaches, movement building, innovation, and the development of regional public goods that bolster country-level action.

Scope of Work

Under the overall coordination of the UNICEF Child Protection Prevention of Harmful Practices for MENA, the Consultant, Regional Action Forum Coordinator will lead coordination efforts for the Regional Action Forum to End Child Marriage. This role also involves supporting the development of strategic and programmatic outputs aligned with evolving regional priorities. The scope of work encompasses:

Coordination and Governance of the RAF

• Foster collaboration among RAF members and support collective planning and implementation of the RAF annual workplan for 2026.
• Organize and facilitate regular coordination meetings with RAF members, including annual and mid-year sessions.
• Serve as a neutral coordination focal point, ensuring inclusive participation and shared ownership among members.

Knowledge Sharing, Learning, and Capacity Strengthening

• Organize webinars, learning events, and regional exchanges focused on child marriage prevention and response.
• Consolidate, develop, and disseminate briefing notes, knowledge products, and communication materials to support evidence-informed programming.

Strategic Thematic Workstreams

In coordination with UNICEF and UNFPA, support the development of regionally relevant strategic outputs, including:

• Engagement of religious leaders based on successful experiences and culturally grounded approaches.
• Engagement of boys and men to address harmful gender norms and toxic masculinity.
• Movement building and girls’ agency, positioning girls as change agents and narrative shapers.
• Design and support the organization of the International Day of Girls with a focus on ending child marriage.

Development of Regional Public Goods

• Co-develop a modular, practical 360° Regional Manual on Addressing Child Marriage, drawing on existing evidence and tools across SBCC (Social and Behavior Change Communication), community engagement, advocacy, partnerships, programme design, humanitarian settings, and financing.

Communication, Advocacy, and Visibility

• Coordinate the development and dissemination of RAF newsletters, advocacy campaigns linked to international days, and other visibility products.

All deliverables will be coordinated closely with UNICEF and UNFPA harmful practices focal points and aligned with agreed timelines.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: University degree (Bachelor’s) in international relations, gender, social sciences, development studies, or a related field.
• Work Experience: Demonstrated at least 5 years of experience in programming related to child marriage, harmful practices, and/or gender equality.
• Proven Track Record: Experience coordinating regional initiatives and facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms, including partnerships with government, civil society, and development actors.
• Skills: Strong facilitation, analytical, and communication skills; ability to synthesize complex information and present it clearly to diverse audiences.
• Contextual Understanding: Solid knowledge and contextual understanding of the MENA region, including socio-political dynamics relevant to programme implementation.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic is required; working knowledge of French is a strong asset.
• Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in strategic communication, branding, and social media engagement, particularly for advocacy and programme visibility.
• Engagement: Experience facilitating Communities of Practice and engaging youth networks, including designing participatory approaches that foster meaningful youth participation.

Requirements for Application:

• Completed profile in UNICEF's e-Recruitment system.
• Upload copy of academic credentials.
• Financial proposal detailing costs per deliverable and total lump-sum (in US$).
• Travel costs and daily subsistence allowance, if internationally recruited or travel is required.
• Any other estimated costs: visa, health insurance, and living costs as applicable.
• Indicate your availability.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with United Nations aims, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Key skills/competency

• Child Protection
• Child Marriage Prevention
• Regional Coordination
• Multi-stakeholder Engagement
• MENA Region Expertise
• Advocacy & Communication
• Gender Equality Programming
• Facilitation & Training
• Knowledge Management
• Youth Participation