International Consultant - Consultancy on Operationalizing the UN Women Social Norms Framework

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization emphasizes changing discriminatory social norms as a key strategy to achieve gender equality, aligning its work with international frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. UN Women has a significant presence in various regions, including Europe and Central Asia, where it has developed strategic plans to address discriminatory social norms and promote gender equality across multiple thematic areas.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant involves mapping existing social norms programming in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region and developing a concise operational plan for applying the UN Women Social Norms Framework in regional and country programming. The consultant will work under the guidance of the UN Women ECARO Strategic Planning Specialist and the Programme Manager of the EU4Gender Equality regional programme. The role requires a thorough understanding of social norms theories and their application to design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, implementation, monitoring, and learning. The consultant will analyze regional programming through the lens of the UN Women Social Norms Framework, identifying key thematic areas, programming approaches, target groups, and partnerships. The operational plan will translate the corporate framework into practical, regionally contextualized actions that support program design, implementation, monitoring, and learning across thematic portfolios. The consultant will also present findings and facilitate discussions with ECARO colleagues, ensuring that the proposed actions account for how discriminatory norms operate differently across intersecting inequalities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks:

• Mapping UN Women's existing social norms programming across Europe and Central Asia, including a desk review of regional and country office programs that address discriminatory social norms across various thematic areas such as ending violence against women, women's economic empowerment, and governance.
• Analyzing regional programming through the UN Women Social Norms Framework, assessing how interventions address discriminatory ideologies and the social institutions involved in the production and transformation of social norms.
• Developing a concise operational plan that translates the corporate Social Norms Framework into practical actions for UN Women country offices and regional programs, including tools and methodologies for consistent application.
• Identifying priority entry points for regional action on discriminatory social norms and ensuring complementarity with other regional strategies.
• Presenting findings and facilitating discussions with ECARO colleagues to incorporate feedback into the final operational plan.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in gender studies, sociology, social or political sciences, or a relevant field. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment programming, particularly in relation to discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes. Experience in conducting analytical reviews and translating evidence into practical programming guidance is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience developing strategic or operational plans and possess strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills. Excellent writing skills and the ability to work independently while managing competing priorities are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in gender studies, sociology, social or political sciences, or a relevant field that aligns with the requirements of the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality and women's empowerment programming, policy development, research, or technical advisory services. Demonstrated experience in conducting analytical reviews and translating findings into operational guidance is required. Experience working with UN Women or other United Nations entities, as well as knowledge of gender equality issues in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, is considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of any other UN official language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for the role.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work location. The consultant will be expected to deliver specific outputs within agreed timelines, including a mapping and analytical review of social norms programming, a draft operational plan, and a final operational plan with a presentation of findings. The position emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women's policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the organization's aims.