International Technical Support Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men. UN Women operates in over 14 countries and territories across the Pacific Region, with its Fiji Multi-Country Office based in Suva, Fiji. The organization collaborates with more than 20 other UN agencies in the region to implement its strategic initiatives and programs.

Job Overview:
The International Technical Support Consultant will play a crucial role in conducting a gender-responsive safety and access audit of the Port Vila market and the wider Central Business District (CBD) in Vanuatu. This position is integral to ensuring that reconstruction efforts post the 2024 earthquake not only restore infrastructure but also enhance safety, accessibility, and economic participation for women and marginalized groups. The consultant will utilize specialized technical expertise in ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG) and gender-responsive infrastructure assessment to inform reconstruction planning and design. The audit will involve assessing the safety and accessibility of public spaces, identifying risks related to violence and harassment, and developing a practical action plan for gender-responsive reconstruction. The consultant will work closely with UN Women staff and local stakeholders to ensure that the audit findings are effectively integrated into ongoing reconstruction processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for leading the development of the Inception Report, which includes refining the gender audit framework, summarizing desk review findings, and creating a stakeholder engagement plan. They will oversee the field audit, which involves collecting data through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and site visits. The consultant will draft a comprehensive Gender Audit Report that analyzes findings against the gender audit framework and provides recommendations for reconstruction design and management. Additionally, they will facilitate a stakeholder validation workshop to refine findings and recommendations, and finalize the Gender Audit Report and Action Plan, ensuring that all deliverables adhere to ethical guidelines and survivor-centered standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher) in Gender Studies, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality, EVAWG, or gender-responsive urban planning, with demonstrated experience in conducting gender-responsive safety audits or assessments. Familiarity with gender-based violence issues and experience working in post-disaster contexts are essential. Strong qualitative research skills and the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher) in Gender Studies, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience (or 9 years with a first-level university degree) in areas related to gender equality, EVAWG, or gender-responsive urban planning. Experience in conducting gender-responsive safety audits or assessments, particularly in post-disaster or reconstruction contexts, is crucial. Familiarity with the Pacific region and the Vanuatu context is preferred, as is experience with UN Women Safe Cities programming.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is required for this position. Knowledge of Pacific languages is considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy assignment is home-based, with an expected duration of up to 60 working days over approximately four months. The consultant will need to travel to Port Vila, Vanuatu for the field audit phase and stakeholder validation workshop, with travel costs covered by UN Women. The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of deliverables. Payments will be made in installments upon the successful completion of specified deliverables.