National Consultant on Judiciary Advocacy

Hiring Office:

Population & Development Unit, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

Purpose of consultancy:

The UNFPA 9th Country Programme for the Philippines (2024-2028) emphasizes the importance of strengthening the capacity and accountability of institutions and actors at national and subnational levels to develop, improve, and implement policies and programmes that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and youth empowerment. This includes engaging various stakeholders, such as women champions in the judiciary, and building their capacities to promote, protect, and fulfill SRHRR through legal resolutions. Developing a targeted strategy for judicial engagement is crucial to achieving these objectives by fostering an enabling legal environment and ensuring that the judiciary effectively contributes to the advancement of SRHRR and related rights.

This consultancy is requested to engage an individual consultant to develop the UNFPA Strategy for the Engagement of Women Champion on SRHR, Gender Equality, and Human Rights in the Philippine Judiciary System 

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The Individual Consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive UNFPA Strategy for the Engagement of Women Champions on SRHR, Gender Equality, and Human Rights in the Philippine Judiciary System. The primary output is a well-defined strategy document that provides a roadmap for UNFPA's engagement with the judiciary. The consultant will undertake the following:

• Strategic Analysis and Mapping of the Judiciary: 
  • Conduct a thorough analysis of the Philippine judicial system's structure, processes, and key actors to identify strategic opportunities and potential challenges for advancing SRHR, gender equality, youth empowerment, and human rights.
  • Map relevant stakeholders within the judiciary (justices, judges at various levels, court personnel, judicial training institutions, relevant committees) and assess their roles, influence, and potential receptiveness to engagement.
  • Analyze existing legal frameworks, jurisprudence, and judicial practices related to SRHR, gender equality, etc., to identify gaps and entry points for strategic intervention.
• Identification of Strategic Entry Points and Approaches: 
  • Define specific and actionable entry points within the judiciary for promoting UNFPA's objectives (e.g., judicial training, case law development, policy advocacy, partnerships with judicial organizations).
  • Develop tailored engagement approaches for different levels and actors within the judiciary, considering their unique roles and needs.
  • Identify opportunities for integrating SRHR, gender equality, etc., into judicial education and capacity-building initiatives.
  • Explore potential strategies for influencing judicial discourse and decision-making 
• Strategy Development for Key Areas of Engagement: 
  • Judicial Capacity Building: 
    • Develop a strategic framework for enhancing the capacity of judges and court personnel on SRHR, gender equality, and human rights, including key topics and potential training methodologies.
    • Identify key partners and resources for delivering judicial education and training.
  • Engagement of Women Champions: 
    • Develop a strategy for identifying, supporting, and empowering judges and legal professionals to champion SRHR, gender equality, and human rights within the judiciary.
    • Outline approaches for building their leadership, advocacy, and networking skills.
  • Strengthening Judicial Processes: 
    • Develop recommendations for promoting gender-sensitive and human rights-based court procedures and practices.
    • Identify opportunities for advocating for reforms in judicial policies and protocols.
  • Knowledge Management and Monitoring: 
    • Develop a strategy for knowledge sharing and dissemination within the judiciary on SRHR, gender equality, etc.
    • Propose a framework for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the judicial engagement strategy.

Deliverables: 

• Inception report with a detailed work plan and methodology, including a specific focus on the engagement of women champions. 
• Draft UNFPA Strategy for Judicial Engagement, with a dedicated section outlining strategies for empowering women champions in the judiciary. 
• Final UNFPA Strategy for Judicial Engagement, incorporating feedback and prioritizing effective approaches to support women champions.

Duration and working schedule:

64 days spread in six (6) months - Deliverable Based

July to December 2025

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consultancy is deliverable-output-based. The consultant is expected to report to and attend occasional meetings at the UNFPA Country Office in Mandaluyong City.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

• First Tranche - Inception report with a detailed work plan and methodology, including a specific focus on the engagement of women champions. - 15 August 2025
• Second Tranche - Draft UNFPA Strategy for Judicial Engagement, with a dedicated section outlining strategies for empowering women champions in the judiciary. - 15 October 2025
• Final Tranche - Final UNFPA Strategy for Judicial Engagement, incorporating feedback and prioritizing effective approaches to support women champions. - 15 December 2025

Supervisory arrangements: 

The Judiciary Advocacy Consultant will be under the overall supervision of the Country Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst for Demographic Intelligence Analysis and Planning.

Expected travel:

Travels within Metro Manila for workshops and meetings

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Required Expertise, Qualifications, and Competencies:

• Educational Background: 
  • Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in law, social sciences, gender studies, public health, or a related field.   
• Professional Experience: 
  • Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in developing strategies, conducting research, and/or implementing programs related to judicial engagement, SRHR, gender equality, youth empowerment, and human rights.   
  • Strong understanding of the Philippine legal and judicial system.   
  • Familiarity with the UNFPA's mandate and the 9th Country Programme Document in the Philippines is an asset.   
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing strategies for capacity building of legal professionals, particularly women in the judiciary.   
• Skills and Competencies: 
  • Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.   
  • Fluency in English is required.   

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.