International Consultant and Two National Experts to Conduct an Impact Assessment for Iraqi Birth Spacing and Behavior Change Communication Strategies

• Level: Consultant
• Contract type: Consultancy
• Closing date: 01 September 2025 05:00 PM (America/New_York)
• Duty station: Baghdad, Iraq

The Position: 

UNFPA Iraq seeks a qualified team of consultants, comprising one international consultant (Team Leader) and two national experts to conduct an in-depth assessment of birth spacing and behavior change communication (BCC) strategies. The study aims to evaluate current interventions, understand their effectiveness, and identify areas for improvement to enhance Iraq's reproductive health outcomes. Key areas include implementation quality, health outcomes for mothers and children, demand for services, and cultural and systemic barriers.

The assignment is directly aligned with UNFPA’s global commitments to eliminate unmet need for family planning and to end preventable maternal deaths.1 Its findings will contribute to the national women, children, and adolescents' health strategy (2025–2030) and support Iraq’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

You would be responsible for:

The selected National/International Consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:

1. International Consultant (Team Leader) :
o Lead development of the Inception Report, including methodology, work plan, KPIs, and data collection tools.
o Conduct a comprehensive desk review and finalise methodology with UNFPA and stakeholders.o Supervise national experts during field data collection.
o Conduct key informant interviews and participate in FGDs as needed.
o Lead data analysis, draft and finalise assessment reports.
o Facilitate validation workshop and deliver final presentation.

2. National Experts:
o Support desk review and contribute context-specific inputs to methodology and tools.
o Conduct field data collection (surveys, interviews, FGDs) in selected locations.
o Liaise with local stakeholders and health facilities.
o Transcribe qualitative data and assist in preliminary data analysis.
o Provide written inputs for draft and final reports.
 

Qualifications and Experience: 

The ideal candidate for this consultancy will possess a robust profile combining academic rigor with extensive practical experience in public health program evaluation, particularly within context of sexual and reproductive health and behaviour change communication.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's or PhD) in Public Health, Reproductive Health, Health Policy, Family Planning, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or other relevant fields is required.

1. Professional Experience:
   
   1. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in program/project management, monitoring, and evaluation, with a specific focus on sexual and reproductive health and family planning programs.
   2. Demonstrated experience in leading and conducting comprehensive evaluations or study assessments of development programs, including strong qualitative and quantitative research skills and a proven ability to analyze complex results.
   3. Specific experience in development or review of health guidelines or policies, particularly related to FP, is highly desirable.
   4. Prior field experience in humanitarian or fragile contexts, especially within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, is a significant asset.
   5. Familiarity with UN development programs and working procedures, particularly those of UNFPA, is essential.12
2. Knowledge and Skills:
   
   1. In-depth knowledge and practical experience in sexual and reproductive health, with a strong understanding of family planning principles, methods, and service delivery models.
   2. Proven expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) strategies, including understanding of optimal entry points, effective messaging, advocacy strategies, and  communication channels.
   3. Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality, evidence-based documents and reports.
   4. Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with demonstrated experience in stakeholder consultation and working effectively with diverse groups, including government officials, healthcare providers, community representatives, and beneficiaries.
   5. A clear understanding of and commitment to human rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in public health programming. This includes the ability to analyze and present information with a gender-sensitive perspective, particularly concerning women's autonomy and male engagement in family planning decisions.
   6. Ability to present complex information in an accessible and actionable manner for various audiences.
   7. Proficiency in data management software (e.g., Excel, SPSS) and potentially mobile data collection tools.10

Language Requirements:

1. Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential.9
2. Fluency in written & spoken Arabic is essential for effective engagement with national stakeholders & data collection in Iraq.12

Technical skills and Competencies :

Consultant is expected to possess a comprehensive set of corporate & functional competencies to effectively carry out assessment

1. Corporate Competencies

• Ethics and Values: Demonstrates integrity and upholds UN values and ethical standards.
• Organizational Awareness: Promotes knowledge sharing within UNFPA and with partners.
• Developing and Empowering People: Encourages self-development and supports working in multicultural environments.
• Teamwork: Fosters open communication within teams and with stakeholders.
• Communication: Delivers clear, concise oral and written information.
• Self-Management: Maintains composure and emotional control under pressure.
• Decision Making: Applies sound judgment and decision-making skills.

2. Functional Competencies

• Results-Based Management: Commits to accountability and measuring results in evaluations.
• Innovation: Identifies innovative solutions, particularly in BCC and service delivery contexts.
• Advocacy: Uses evidence to support and promote policy changes .
• Knowledge Management: Encourages learning and the sharing of knowledge.
• Analytical Skills: Synthesizes complex data and presents clear conclusions.
• Communication: Strong writing and presentation skills for varied audiences.
• Facilitation: Able to lead workshops and discussions with diverse stakeholders.

Planning and Organization:  Sets clear goals, establishes priorities, and manages time and resources efficiently.