Recruitment of Consultant on Integrating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

Terms of Reference (TOR) – Consultant on Integrating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) into Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

Background:

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a widespread harmful practice in several parts of the Arab World, with serious health, psychological, and social consequences. It is deeply rooted in gender inequality and discriminatory social norms.

Integrating FGM into Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) is a strategic and practical approach to prevention and empowerment.

FGM's existence, despite the long history of global efforts, manifests itself as a worldwide threat to girl's and women's health as well as places itself as a tool to forcefully demonise social and gender norms, weakening the position of women in society.  

Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) offers a critical entry point to address FGM as it equips young people with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to understand their bodies, exercise their rights, challenge harmful practices, and promote gender equality. Integrating FGM into CSE ensures that prevention, protection, and support for survivors are addressed in a holistic, youth-centered, and rights-based manner.

Purpose of the Consultancy:

The consultant will provide technical expertise to develop a practical framework and guidance for integrating FGM into CSE curricula and programs in the Arab World, ensuring that young people are empowered to prevent and respond to the practice.

Objectives

• Map and analyze global and regional best practices on addressing FGM through CSE.
• Identify existing gaps in current CSE curricula in the Arab World regarding harmful practices, particularly FGM.
• Develop a framework for integrating FGM into CSE, with clear learning objectives, age-appropriate content, and participatory methods.
• Provide guidance on how educators, peer educators, and youth leaders can deliver FGM-related content safely, sensitively, and effectively.
• Ensure the framework is aligned with IPPF’s rights-based, gender-transformative, and youth-centered approaches.

Scope of Work / Key Deliverables:

• Desk Review Report: Synthesis of global and regional resources, case studies, and evidence on linking FGM and CSE.
• Needs & Gaps Analysis: Assessment of how harmful practices, specifically FGM, are currently addressed or no existent in the current CSE programs in the Arab region.
• Draft Framework on Integrating FGM in CSE: Including:
  • Key learning outcomes per age group tackling knowledge, skills and values.
  • Suggested lesson outlines and key messages in the different components of CSE chapters (e.g., bodily autonomy, consent, gender equality, health impacts, human rights).
  • Approaches for engaging parents, teachers, and communities to support young people.
  • Survivor-sensitive content ensuring support pathways are included.
• Virtual Validation Workshop: Presentation and refinement of the draft framework with IPPF AWRO, youth representatives, and key stakeholders.
• Final Guidance Package: Consolidated framework, teaching tools, and recommendations for integration into CSE curricula and advocacy efforts.

Duration:

The consultancy will last around 10 weeks, beginning from October.

Expected Outputs:

• Desk Review Report.
• Gaps & Needs Analysis Report.
• Draft Framework for FGM in CSE.
• Virtual Validation Workshop.
• Finalized Framework and Guidance Note.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public health, education, gender studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in SRHR, CSE, and harmful practices (FGM in particular).
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development and youth-centered education.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Familiarity with the Arab World context, gender norms, and sensitivities related to FGM and sexuality education.
• Experience in working with youth networks and participatory approaches is an asset.

Supervision & Reporting:

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Youth Networker at IPPF AWRO with regular check-ins and submission of deliverables.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit:

• CV highlighting relevant experience.
• Technical proposal (max 4 pages) outlining methodology and approach.
• Financial proposal.

Deadline for submission: 20/09/2025
Email for submission: [email protected]