CALL FOR EXPERTS: Technical Advisory Group Sexual and Reproductive Agency Measurement

Introduction

Since 2015, UNFPA, with the support of an Expert Group, UN-DESA, UN-Women and WHO, has successfully led efforts to develop and roll out a methodology for measuring Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, via SDG indicators 5.6.1 and 5.6.2, which are under UNFPA’s “custodianship”. They measure women’s ability to make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care (SDG 5.6.1) and national laws and regulations on sexual and reproductive health (SDG 5.6.2)

These two indicators introduced for the first time in the 2015 SDG framework, mark a huge progress in addressing women’s reproductive rights - ensuring that the international development framework not only includes targets on sexual and reproductive health services but also addresses women’s agency and human rights-based dimensions of sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights. SDG indicator 5.6.1 is the only global SDG indicator measuring women’s reproductive agency, including their ability to choose whether or not to use contraception. 

As we come to the SDG midpoint and the 30th Anniversary of the ICPD, this is an important time to review our progress and position our efforts to support measuring sexual and reproductive agency (SRA). As part of these efforts, UNFPA convened a 2-day Expert Group Meeting in March 2024 to review progress on the data collection efforts of these two indicators and to reflect on next steps, including positioning reproductive agency measurement in the post-SDG era. The meeting report can be accessed here. 

Building a robust measurement framework on sexual and reproductive agency is essential to bringing visibility to these issues and making a strong case for their prioritization in the post-2030 agenda. The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is a pivotal step in this journey, designed to harness the rich and constructive recommendations made by the experts at the EGM and provide strategic guidance for UNFPA's measurement work on SRA. Co-chaired by UNFPA and two Member States, the TAG will help shape an impactful framework that champions agency and ensures that these vital issues remain at the forefront of global health and rights agendas.

Objectives and Key Activities

The objectives of the TAG include, but are not limited to:

• To refine and propose methodologies for SRA definition, measurement, and methodologies, emphasizing inclusive and diverse population needs.
• To enhance SRA data collection and analysis, supporting programme and policy development.
• To promote expert collaboration and disseminate SRA research findings to influence global policy and enhance understanding of SRA.

Key activities of the TAG include the following:

• Review a comprehensive landscape analysis to identify existing measures related to SRA.
• Define the concept of SRA and identify its core elements.
• Building on existing 5.6 indicators, develop a proposal for measuring the core elements of SRA.
• Explore the meaning of SRA among diverse groups, including unmarried women, youth, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Pilot test new measures for SRA.
• Finalize proposal on SRA comprehensive measurement.
• Publishing, advocacy and dissemination.

To attain broad perspectives on the issue, UNFPA particularly welcomes expressions of interest to the TAG-SRA at this time from demographers, gender equality experts, sexual and reproductive rights experts and activists representing youth and feminist organizations. It encourages expressions of interest from experts from different regions to ensure balanced regional and country perspectives. 

Who Can Express Interest

The TAG-SRA will be multidisciplinary, with members who have a range of technical knowledge, skills and experience relevant to sexual and reproductive agency and its measurement. Approximately 12 members may be selected.

In the selection of the members, consideration will be given to attaining an adequate technical distribution of expertise, geographical representation and gender balance. 

TAG members will receive support from their respective organizations or institutions. For in-person meetings, travel support will be provided.

Proposed Composition

The TAG will have three Chairs, two representing Member States. The third Chair will be UNFPA, who will also act as Secretariat for the TAG. The Chairs with support of the Secretariat will oversee the organization of meetings, commissioning of studies, and the documentation and distribution of materials to TAG members.

The TAG will also include selected representatives from UN agencies. These members will contribute UN-specific insights and expertise.

Submitting Your Expression of Interest

To register your interest in being considered for the TAG-SRA, please submit the following documents by 20 December 2024, 23h59 NY time to sra@unfpa.org using the subject line “Expression of interest for the TAG-SRA”.

• A CV;
• A cover letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you satisfy the selection criteria. 

After submission, your expression of interest will be reviewed by a selection panel. Due to an expected high volume of interest, only selected individuals will be informed.

Operations of the TAG-SRA

The TAG-SRA will be convened for up to four meetings annually either virtually or in person. However, the Chairs may convene additional meetings. The frequency and format of meetings will be decided by the Chairs. The TAG-SRA may decide to establish smaller working groups to work on specific issues related to different aspects of SRA measurements. Their deliberations shall take place via teleconference or video-conference. The working language of the group will be English.

The TAG will provide guidance, feedback, input, and facilitation in support of work plan deliverables. Potential areas of interaction may include but are not limited to the following:

Guidance:

• Offer strategic advice on expanding and refining the methodology for SDG Target 5.6, focusing on enhancing measures of SRA.
• Suggest approaches for better capturing SRA in vulnerable groups. 
• Example of guidance: The TAG will provide insights into critical considerations for developing comprehensive SRA measures.

Feedback:

• Provide assessments of methodologies, preliminary results, and the conceptual framework for SRA.
• Review reports, manuscripts, and visualizations, ensuring they accurately reflect the complexities of SRA and reproductive rights.
• Example of feedback: The TAG will critique the preliminary findings, offering suggestions to strengthen data sources, methodologies, and the interpretation of results related to SRA and gender equality.

Input:

• Identify gaps in research and potential areas for expanding SRA measurement.
• Discuss considerations for refining the development of indicators 5.6.1 and 5.6.2, including indicators of interest and their impact.
• Example of input: The TAG will recommend research areas and additional data sources  pertinent to enhancing understanding of SRA.

Facilitation:

• Facilitate connections with subject matter experts in SRA and reproductive rights.
• Advise on dissemination strategies to ensure findings reach key stakeholders and influence policy.
• Promote engagement with global and regional partners to advance the understanding and measurement of SRA.
• Example of facilitation: The TAG will support consultations with key global SRHR partners to discuss results, share insights, and refine strategies for measuring reproductive agency in the post-SDG era.

Timeline

We propose that the tenure of the TAG-SRA should span two years, from Q1 2025  to Q1 2027.to allow for comprehensive support and engagement in our key activities and objectives. A virtual kick-off meeting will be scheduled for Q1 2025.

Intellectual Property Rights

Ownership: 

Except as expressly provided otherwise in writing, UNFPA will retain all intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and any other rights, for all products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, documents, or materials developed in connection with the TAG-SRA activities. TAG members agree that any such materials constitute works made for hire for UNFPA.

Assistance in securing rights:

TAG members will take all necessary steps and execute any required documents to assist UNFPA in securing and transferring any proprietary rights.

Confidentiality and access:

All materials, including maps, drawings, photographs, plans, reports, and data created or collected by TAG members during their participation will be the property of UNFPA and must be 

treated as confidential until their agreed publication. They will be made available to UNFPA for inspection at reasonable times and delivered to UNFPA authorized officials upon request.

License for TAG members:

Subject to approval, UNFPA may grant TAG members a non-exclusive, non-transferable, perpetual, worldwide license to use the intellectual property developed under these terms, on the condition that TAG members provide appropriate recognition to UNFPA in their usage.

Important Information about the Selection Processes and Conditions of Appointment

The selection of members of the TAG will be made by UNFPA in its sole discretion, taking into account the following (non-exclusive) criteria: relevant technical expertise; experience in international and country policy work; communication skills; and ability to work constructively with people from different cultural backgrounds and orientations. The selection of TAG members will also take account of the need for diverse perspectives from different regions, especially from low and middle-income countries, and for gender balance.

If selected by UNFPA, proposed members will be sent an invitation letter. Appointment as a member of the TAG-SRA will be subject to the proposed member returning to UNFPA the countersigned copy of this document. 

UNFPA reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest, to annul the open call process and reject all expressions of interest at any time without incurring any liability to the affected applicant or applicants and without any obligation to inform the affected applicant or applicants of the grounds for UNFPA’'s action. UNFPA may also decide, at any time, not to proceed with the establishment of the TAG, disband an existing TAG or modify the work of the TAG.

UNFPA shall not in any way be obliged to reveal, or discuss with any applicant, how an expression of interest was assessed, or to provide any other information relating to the evaluation/selection process or to state the reasons for not choosing a member.

UNFPA may publish the names and a short biography of the selected individuals on the UNFPA website.

TAG members will not be remunerated for their services in relation to the TAG or otherwise. Travel and accommodation expenses of TAG members to participate in TAG meetings will be covered by UNFPA in accordance with its applicable policies, rules and procedures.

The appointment will be limited in time as indicated in the letter of appointment.

If you have any questions about this “Call for experts”, please write to sra@unfpa.org.