Introduction and Context
Customary Male Initiation (CMI) is a culturally significant rite of passage in South Africa. However, the increasing number of deaths and injuries related to CMI—especially in provinces such as the Eastern Cape—has become a public health and human rights concern. The House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders (HOTKL), in collaboration with UNFPA and other UN agencies, seeks to develop a unified and evidence-informed proposal to mobilize technical and financial support to end preventable deaths associated with the practice, while respecting cultural
traditions.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Purpose of the Consultancy:
Purpose of the Assignment To facilitate a multi-stakeholder workshop that will lead to the development of a
joint UN proposal in support of the HOTKL’s efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate deaths and injuries from customary male initiation. The workshop will gather key stakeholders to prioritize areas of support, develop a results framework, and define roles for UN agencies in alignment with national laws and traditional governance systems.
Scope of Work:
Objectives:
● Facilitate a structured and inclusive consultation process involving traditional leaders, government representatives, civil society, and UN entities.
● Define critical support areas aligned with legal frameworks (e.g., CMI Act No. 2 of 2021) and HOTKL priorities.
● Guide stakeholders in co-creating a draft proposal with clear objectives, outcomes, activities, and resource needs.
● Identify entry points for evidence-based interventions, social norm change, communication strategies, and capacity-building.
The consultant will:
1. Conduct a preparatory review of key background documents and stakeholder inputs.
2. Design the agenda and facilitation tools for the workshop.
3. Facilitate a 1-day interactive workshop (physical or hybrid).
4. Support group work and consensus-building processes.
5. Synthesize workshop outcomes into a structured draft proposal and results framework.
6. Submit a final workshop report and a cleaned-up draft of the proposal document.
Deliverables:
1. Inception report and agenda (within 5 working days of contract signature).
2. Workshop report and session materials.
3. Draft joint UN support proposal for CMI with logical framework and budget outline.
4. Final workshop report summarizing outcomes, stakeholder commitments, and recommendations.
Duration and Timeline:
● Duration: 20 working days.
Expected travel:
The consultant is expected to work remotely (off-site/virtually)
Place where services are to be delivered
Consultancy will be home-based, with reporting from the Country Office when
required
Required expertise and qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Education: A University Degree or equivalent in public health/sexual and reproductive health, gender/social sciences, or other related fields.
Knowledge and Experience:
● Advanced degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Anthropology, Development Studies or related field.
● Seven years in facilitation of high-level multi-stakeholder workshops.
● Familiarity with traditional governance systems and cultural practices in South Africa.
● Experience with UN processes and proposal development.
● Strong writing and analytical skills
● Previous experience in a similar assignment will be an added advantage.
● Familiarity with the South African Government, UN development programs will be an asset.
Competencies:
● Must have demonstrable previous experience in working with the House of Traditional Leaders on CMI.
● Have a postgraduate degree i.e. Master’s in Public health, Population Studies or Epidemiology, gender, anthropology.
● Experience working in collaboration with government (particularly, the Department of Health, COGTA, development partners (especially UNFPA), civil society organizations (organizations implementing Public Health
programs in South Africa)
● Demonstrated strong report writing skills and evidence of reports produced .
● Excellent knowledge and at least 7 years’ experience working on issues of culture and development, knowledge and skills on cultural male initiation is an asset.
Language:
● Fluency in English and local language/s
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and 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, medical clearance, visa issuance 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.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.