Consultancy to Develop a National Strategy toward the Reduction of FGC
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Sierra Leone Country Office, invites applications from
interested persons for the above mentioned consultancy.
Location: Freetown, with occasional nationwide travel if required
Duration: Six (6) months from the date of commencement.
Purpose and Rationale of the Consultancy
There is a need for a development of a national strategy that brings together Government, civil society and
development partners and enhances coordination, accountability and implementation of evidence based
programmes at sub-national level to reduce FGC. This will be government-led process, under the guidance and
leadership of the line ministry (MSWGCA) supported by UNFPA and UNICEF. The consultant will work
through a participatory and inter-sectoral process using national coalition and other sectors and they would
constitute a reference group and working sub-committees to develop the basis of the strategy. The strategy will
include an implementation plan including M & E framework.
Background
Female genital cutting (FGC) is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia for traditional and
non-therapeutic reasons. As a harmful practice, FGC constitutes a serious threat to the health of women and girls,
including their psychological, sexual and reproductive health, which can increase their vulnerability to HIV and
may have adverse obstetric and prenatal outcomes as well as fatal consequences.
The practice of FGC in Sierra Leone takes place as part of the initiation ceremony into the female secret society
generally referred to as the Bondo Society. Traditionally, it is not possible to be a Bondo member without
undergoing FGC as part of the initiation ceremony.
FGC in Sierra Leone is one of the highest prevalence figures in the world, with 88% prevalence amongst women
aged 15-49, and 10% percent prevalence of daughters aged 0-14 years. However, there has been a drop of 6
percentage points in FGC prevalence between 2005 and 2010 from 94.4% to 88.3% respectively
Scope of the Consultancy
Consultancy to do the following:
 Identify initiatives on reducing FGC in Sierra Leone and assess their success in reaching community
declarations/agreements on reducing FGC and lessons to be learned from them;
 Explore the linkages with other harmful practices such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy, GBV and
programmatic strategies used to address them;
 Facilitate a platform for consultations and discussion on the findings of the assessment and suggested
strategy with development partners with a view to inform the strategy;
 Develop a strategy for ending FGC in Sierra Leone, taking into account the specific context of Sierra Leone
and aligning it with the UN Interagency Statement. This will include an implementation plan with an M & E
framework. It will be also aligned with the draft Child Welfare Policy, the National Strategy for the
Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy, the draft Gender equality Bill and the National Action Plan for GBV.
Activities
 Conduct desk review of FGC activities and studies in, and relevant to, Sierra Leone;
 Identify initiatives that have claimed success in addressing FGC in Sierra Leone; assess and analyse their
achievements, results and impact; and report findings;
 Identify linkages with other harmful practices such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy GBV and
programmatic strategies used to address them;
 Hold informal interviews/discussions with a cross section of actors (including practioners, traditional leaders
and positive deviants) so as to gain a greater insight into how FGC is perceived in Sierra Leone;
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Consultative workshop to articulate FGC priorities and opportunities to work for prevention and reduction in
Sierra Leone including identification of goals, strategies, support and activities;
Identify the types of support that Government, CSOs, and NGOs working for FGC reduction require and
who may be best to provide this support;
Use above information for development of strategy towards reduction of FGC, including consultation and
involvements of stakeholders (NGOs, donors, Government, UN), and in line with the UN Interagency
Statement and concluding observations/comments from CEDAW and CRC, UPR on SL’s obligations as per
these instruments;
Facilitate the development/building of a platform (coalition) of supportive development partners in country
to implement the strategy.
Deliverables
 Report on current and past initiatives in Sierra Leone towards reduction of FGC, including their impact and
strategies used.
 Approved framework for layout of National Strategy.
 Draft National Strategy with situation analysis and current status of the practice of FGC; social dynamics of
FGC in Sierra Leone; current interventions; identifying vision, guiding principles, goals and objectives,
strategic dimensions, key strategies, approaches, planned results, and activities towards reducing FGC in
Sierra Leone. This should also include costed implementation plan and M & E framework for measurement.
 Validation meeting with key stakeholders.
 Final strategy, costed implementation plan and M & E framework.
Qualifications and Competencies of the Consultant
 Institution (lead consultant) or individual consultant to have a minimum of a Master’s degree in a social
science (e.g. Sociology, Anthropology, Gender, Development) or equivalent in experience.
 At least eight years of progressively responsible work experience at national and international level with
sound experience and technical skills in the area of child protection, Gender, FGC, harmful practices and
social change approaches.
 Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
 Excellent analytical and documentation skills.
 Able to work independently with a variety of stakeholders.
 Adaptability and flexibility, confidentiality, initiative, concern for accuracy and quality.
 Knowledge of and experience in working in West Africa (preferably Sierra Leone) in the area of child
protection, gender, harmful practices and/or FGC is an asset.
Interested persons should send the following documents by email to srlrecruitment@unicef.org
A detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) on the assignment can be collected at UNICEF House, Central Medical
Stores Compound, New England, Freetown.
(a) An application letter of no more than 1 page.
(b) A write-up of no more than 2 pages on the proposed methodology and approach to develop the strategy.
(c) Curriculum Vitae.
(d) A completed UN Form P.11 found on the UNICEF website.
The Personal History Form (P11) in MS Word format can be downloaded from our website at
http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
The deadline for receipt of applications is 20 March, 2014
UNICEF is a smoke-free environment.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male
candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to
become a part of our organization.
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