UNFPA Call for Experts: Proposal Development – Global Fund Grant Cycle 8

Ednah Carrick May 9, 2026

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Closing Date: 18 May 2026

UNFPA Call for Experts: Proposal Development – Global Fund Grant Cycle 8

Overview

The 2gether 4 SRHR is a joint United Nations Regional Programme that brings together the combined efforts of UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WHO to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of all people in Eastern and Southern Africa. One of the objectives of the programme is to provide timely and quality-assured technical assistance (TA) to continental and regional economic communities, parliamentary fora, participating United Nations agencies, and countries. To achieve this, the Programme developed a regional SRHR Technical Assistance Hub, which is a roster of pre-determined quality-assured technical experts, professional organisations, institutions, and partners working on SRHR in the region.

This call is for technical experts to apply for consideration to be added to the Technical Assistance Hub. Applicants will be assessed based on each call, relevant qualifications, previous experience and examples of previous work. Once included in the roster you will have preferential access to consulting opportunities to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people in East and Southern Africa.

Selected candidates will be contracted by one of the four participating UN agencies of 2gether 4 SRHR (UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO) or other partners using their internal policies and procedures. Inclusion in the TA Hub does not constitute a contractual obligation by any participating party. Purpose of consultancy: As countries in ESA prepare applications for the Global Fund’s 8th Grant Cycle (GC8), there is a strong need for high-calibre grant writing and strategic support to ensure national applications strengthen SRHR–HIV linkages; advance gender equality and human rights; expand community-led responses; address key and vulnerable populations; strengthen resilient and sustainable systems for health (RSSH); and align with partner priorities and guidance.

This call for experts aimss to identify technical experts who can provide specialised, high-quality support to countries and regional partners in developing, reviewing and finalising Global Fund GC8 funding requests—particularly those integrating SRHR, HIV, TB, malaria, RSSH, gender, human rights and community systems strengthening. Experts will strengthen alignment with national strategic plans and investment cases, Global Fund guidance and modular frameworks, and the objectives of the 2gether 4 SRHR Programme and regional partner strategies.

Call for Experts Scope of work:

Selected experts may be requested to support one or more of the following areas:

1. Thought Leadership and Strategic Guidance

Provide high-level technical guidance on integrating SRHR into Global Fund GC8 funding requests.
Interpret and apply Global Fund GC8 guidelines, Technical Review Panel (TRP) recommendations and evidence requirements.
Advise on aligning funding request priorities with regional objectives on gender, SRHR, equity and youth.
Support stakeholder engagement and inclusive country dialogue processes.

2. Grant Writing and Modular Framework Development

Lead or support drafting of GC8 funding requests, including program narratives, modules/interventions, performance frameworks, budgets and workplans.
Ensure alignment with the Global Fund modular framework (e.g., HIV, TB, Malaria, RSSH, community systems strengthening, RMNCAH).
Identify evidence gaps and synthesise analyses (epidemiology, bottleneck, equity and investment analyses).
Integrate human rights, gender and community engagement components in line with GC8 expectations.

3. Strengthening Country Capacity

Train and mentor national counterparts (Ministries, Country Coordinating Mechanisms(CCMs), civil society and partners) in Global Fund grant development processes.
Support national planning teams to understand GC8 requirements and articulate catalytic, costed, high-impact interventions that integrate SRHR.
Strengthen national capacity to develop robust performance frameworks, KPIs and monitoring arrangements.

4. Knowledge Management

Develop briefs, tools, templates and guidance notes for effective GC8 application development.
Document lessons learned to inform future rounds and facilitate cross-country learning.
Curate and disseminate best practices on integrating SRHR into Global Fund proposals.

5. Partnerships and Stakeholder Coordination

Engage with CCMs, governments, CSOs, community networks and UN partners to ensure coherent, aligned funding requests.
Support alignment across multisectoral actors—particularly on youth, gender and key populations.
Liaise with Global Fund Country Teams and technical partners as required. Additional Expectations for Technical Experts In addition to the core responsibilities, selected experts will support the following priority areas essential to strengthening SRHR integration within Global Fund GC8 applications:
- A. Strengthen Multisectoral and Multilateral SRHR, HIV and GBV Investments
  - Provide technical assistance to countries to strengthen investments in SRHR, HIV and GBV that strategically leverage multilateral and bilateral financing streams, including the Global Fund, PEPFAR and the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF).
  - Identify opportunities for catalytic financing to expand and institutionalise SRHR interventions within national health and HIV responses.
  - Support governments in aligning these financing streams with national priorities, maximising synergy and avoiding duplication.
  - B. Support Countries to Meet GC8 Co‑Financing and Domestic Sustainability Requirements
- B. Support Countries to Meet GC8 Co‑Financing and Domestic Sustainability Requirements
  - Help countries fully meet Global Fund GC8 co‑financing commitments, including improved public financial management, budget transparency and medium-term expenditure alignment.
  - Integrate domestic resource mobilisation strategies into the narrative, modular frameworks, budgets and performance frameworks of GC8 funding requests.
  - Strengthen government leadership and ownership of SRHR–HIV programming.
- C. Provide Targeted GC8 Grant‑Development Technical Assistance
  - Enable countries to develop strong, competitive GC8 applications that place SRHR at the heart of resilient HIV, TB and malaria responses.
  - Embed gender equality, human rights and equity dimensions throughout the funding request, with attention to AGYW, key and vulnerable populations.
  - Integrate community systems strengthening, community‑led monitoring and community engagement priorities in line with GC8 expectations.
  - Reflect national priorities and prior TRP recommendations while aligning with regional strategic objectives.
- D. Mobilise Communities and Stakeholders for Inclusive GC8 Processes
  - Facilitate meaningful engagement of civil society, key populations, youth‑led organisations and networks of women living with HIV in GC8 consultations.
  - Support inclusive country dialogues that generate consensus, surface SRHR gaps and ensure social inclusion.
  - Ensure community inputs shape interventions, budgets and monitoring systems included in the GC8 proposal.
- E. Ensure Gender, Rights and Equity Are Systematically Embedded
  - Ensure applications are gender‑responsive, rights‑based and grounded in equity principles.
  - Address GBV prevention and response, harmful gender norms and structural barriers to access.
  - Strengthen SRHR‑HIV integration for adolescents and marginalised groups, with clear plans to reduce disparities.
- F. Foster Cross‑Sectoral Alignment and Policy Coherence
  - Align GC8 proposals with national policies, health sector strategies, SRHR frameworks, gender and youth policies.
  - Facilitate coherence between Ministries of Health, Finance, Gender, Youth, Education and Social Protection.
  - Position Global Fund resources as catalytic levers that unlock additional financing, strengthen systems and expand long‑term SRHR integration.

Duration and working schedule

Expected Deliverables

Draft and final Global Fund GC8 funding requests (narratives, modular frameworks, performance frameworks, budgets and workplans).
Technical briefs, analyses, or capacity‑building tools/templates (e.g., co‑financing trackers, stakeholder engagement plans).
Documentation of processes, lessons learned and recommendations for future rounds.

Duration and Working Schedule Assignments will be determined based on specific technical needs identified by participating UN agencies, countries and regional partners. Each assignment will specify duration and working schedule. Place where services are to be delivered: Remote support with potential in‑country missions, depending on assignment needs. Delivery dates and how work will be delivered Deliverables will be submitted electronically unless otherwise specified in the assignment‑specific TOR.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline: Consultants will provide regular updates via email and virtual check‑in meetings with supervisors to ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards.

Supervisory arrangements: Technical experts will be contracted and supervised by the relevant UN agency and/or partner using their procurement processes.

Expected travel: Travel may be required depending on the nature of the assignment and will be communicated in the specific

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements

Education

Advanced degree in Public Health, Health Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies or a related field.

Experience

Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in Global Fund grant writing, review or technical assistance.
Direct experience supporting HIV, TB, Malaria, RSSH or community systems strengthening applications.
Proven expertise integrating SRHR, gender equality, human rights, adolescent and youth health, or key population programming into disease‑specific grants.
Demonstrated understanding of Global Fund GC8 guidance, modular frameworks and TTechnical Review Panel (TRP) expectations.
Experience working with governments, CCMs, civil society and UN agencies in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Excellent analytical, facilitation and writing skills; ability to translate complex evidence for decision‑makers.

Languages: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French or Portuguese is desirable.

Core Competencies

Results‑oriented and accountable, with strong teamwork and coordination skills.
Ability to work under tight deadlines in multicultural environments.
Strong communication skills and stakeholder facilitation.

Other relevant information or special conditions: To be registered for future assignments please submit your CV and cover letter. Please share your application through the 2gether 4 SRHR Technical Assistance Hub via the on-line registration link tahub.2gether4srhr.org

Upon registering you will be asked to input the title of the Call you are applying for: TAHub14/proposal development – Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 Please note that this is an open-ended call to support the three submission windows. However, to be considered to support the first window, kindly submit your application through the Technical Assistance Hub by 18 May 2026.