Local Consultant: FGM Project Officer, Freetown, Sierra Leone

The Position:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a manifestation of deeply entrenched gender inequality within social, economic, and political structures. It perpetuates harmful, unequal, normative gender roles against women. FGM is a reproductive health concern and a human rights violation that undermines the health and well-being of approximately 3 million girls worldwide each year. Research shows that it has devastating short- and long-term impacts on the lives of women and girls.

Globally, an estimated 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM. In Sierra Leone, according to the 2019 Demographic Health Survey, 83 percent of women aged 15-49 have undergone FGM, a decrease from 90 percent in 2013. Seventy-one percent of those affected were circumcised before the age of 15 years.
 

UNFPA supports the rights of women and girls, gender equality, and universal sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights by strategically positioning to end maternal death, unmet need for family planning, Gender violence, and harmful practices. UNFPA is committed to ending this human rights violation, so that the tens of millions of girls who are still at risk of FGM by 2030 do not undergo this harmful practice.
 

The Accelerating Progress Towards the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Programme, is being implemented by UNFPA in Sierra Leone with funding from the Government of Iceland. The Programme aims to reduce the incidence of FGM through a multifaceted approach, producing evidence and knowledge that will be used to create sustainable change to protect the rights and well-being of girls and women. The evidence generated will be used for advocacy and for informing strategies for scaling up activities for sustainable elimination. Additionally, specific focus will be placed on improving coordination among key stakeholders, including the government ministries and agencies.

The Country Office is seeking a qualified local professional for the role of Project Officer.

 

The Job Purpose:

Working within a Country Office environment, the Project Officer will lead the day-to-day implementation of the Accelerating Progress Towards the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Programme. This position will ensure the Project’s objectives are met through effective planning, coordination, implementation, and reporting of activities. The Project Officer will work closely with communities, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of interventions aimed at ending FGM.

 

 

You would be responsible for:

 

Programme Implementation:

• Assist in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities of the Accelerating progress towards the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone Project.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, training sessions, community dialogues, and awareness-raising campaigns.
• Support the development and distribution of IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials.
• Coordinate logistical arrangements for programme activities, including travel, meetings, and workshops.
• Ensure the timely and effective implementation of project work plans.

 

Community Engagement:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, traditional leaders, women's groups, youth groups, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct community mobilization and sensitization activities to promote behaviour change related to FGM. 
• Support the establishment and strengthening of community-based structures for FGM prevention and response.
• Facilitate participatory processes to ensure community ownership and involvement in programme activities.

 

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Collect and analyze data related to programme activities and indicators.
• Prepare regular progress reports and contribute to donor reporting.
• Monitor programme implementation against work plans and budgets.
• Document best practices and lessons learned.
• Contribute to programme evaluations and assessments.

 

Partnership and Coordination:

• Liaise with government agencies, NGOs, and other partners involved in FGM elimination.
• Participate in coordination meetings and working groups.
• Support the development and maintenance of partnerships.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with all stakeholders.

 

Capacity Building:

• Provide training and technical support to community members, partners, and volunteers.
• Assist in the development of training materials and curricula.
• Support the capacity building of local organizations and institutions.

 

Financial Management:

• Develop and manage project budgets and work plans, ensuring adherence to UNFPA’s policies and procedures
• Monitor project expenditures and identify variances.
• Identifying and assessing financial risks associated with projects.
• Developing and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards.

 

Reporting

• Prepare and submit timely and accurate reports on program activities, progress, and challenges in keeping with UNFPA’s policies and procedures 
• Prepare donor report in keeping with the Donor Agreement
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of program activities.
• Preparing financial reports for management and stakeholders

 

Key Deliverables

• Capacity building on social norms is completed
• Grant funding to 6 CSOs to support 16 Days of Activism
• Launch of two (2) Survivors Networks for women, including the establishment of an action plan for each Network, completed
• Q4 Accountabilities completed
• 2026 UNFPA and IP Work plans completed
• 2025 Donor Narrative Report completed

Duration: 6 months (1 October 2025- 30 March 2026)

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Master’s degree in public health, gender studies, or other related fields.
 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five years of relevant experience working in gender programming are required. 
• Two (2) years’ experience developing and/or implementing FGM elimination, gender equality, or related areas.
• Proven experience in community mobilization, advocacy, and training.
• Strong understanding of FGM issues and related human rights principles.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in computer applications (MS Office Suite).

 

Languages: 

Fluency in spoken English and excellent writing skills in English are required.

 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change
    

Core Competencies:

• Strategically positioning the UNFPA programme
• Providing conceptual innovation to support programme effectiveness.
• Generating, managing, and promoting the use of knowledge and information
• Facilitating quality programmatic results
   

Functional Competencies:

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, 
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact 

 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA fosters a work environment that embodies the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing, or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process, and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.