Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It operates globally, merging resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system to enhance its impact on gender equality. UN Women works 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 operates in numerous countries, including Somalia, where it focuses on legal reform and gender-responsive governance.
Job Overview:
The position of Legal Consultant involves conducting a comprehensive assessment of discriminatory laws and legal practices affecting women and girls in Somalia. The consultant will analyze the plural legal environment in Somalia, which includes statutory law, customary law (Xeer), and Sharia-based principles. The role requires a deep understanding of the legal frameworks and their implications for women's rights, particularly in areas such as family matters, inheritance, property disputes, and access to justice. The consultant will provide evidence-based recommendations for legal and policy reform, ensuring that the analysis is sensitive to Somalia's constitutional, cultural, and governance context. The consultant will work closely with the UN Women Somalia Country Programme Manager and the WPS and Rule of Law team, receiving strategic guidance and support throughout the consultancy.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for preparing an inception report that outlines the methodology, workplan, legal framework, stakeholder mapping, and risk mitigation measures. They will conduct a desk review of relevant laws, regulations, and policies, and analyze the statutory, customary, and Sharia-based legal frameworks affecting women and girls. The consultant will engage in targeted consultations with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and women's organizations. They will prepare legal mapping matrices to identify discriminatory provisions and gaps, present draft findings for validation, and revise the assessment report based on feedback. Additionally, the consultant will develop a prioritized legal reform roadmap and prepare an advocacy brief summarizing priority reforms.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong legal analysis skills and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical reform recommendations. A demonstrated understanding of gender equality, women's empowerment, and access to justice is essential. The consultant should have a strong grasp of Somalia's legal, customary, and political context, as well as experience engaging diverse stakeholders in sensitive discussions. High-quality analytical writing and communication skills are required, along with a strong understanding of ethical research and data protection principles.
Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Islamic Law, Legal Reform, Public Policy, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in legal analysis, law reform, gender equality, access to justice, or women's rights is required. Candidates should have experience conducting gender analysis of legislation, legal reform assessments, and engaging with various stakeholders, including government and civil society. Experience with UN programs or gender-responsive governance initiatives is considered an asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while Somali language skills are highly desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is also desirable.
Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be home-based with potential travel to Mogadishu for consultations. The consultant will need to adhere to ethical considerations, particularly regarding the safety and confidentiality of participants. The position emphasizes a survivor-centered approach and requires the consultant to ensure that consultations are conducted in safe and accessible environments. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct.
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It operates globally, merging resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system to enhance its impact on gender equality. UN Women works 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 operates in numerous countries, including Somalia, where it focuses on legal reform and gender-responsive governance.
Job Overview:
The position of Legal Consultant involves conducting a comprehensive assessment of discriminatory laws and legal practices affecting women and girls in Somalia. The consultant will analyze the plural legal environment in Somalia, which includes statutory law, customary law (Xeer), and Sharia-based principles. The role requires a deep understanding of the legal frameworks and their implications for women's rights, particularly in areas such as family matters, inheritance, property disputes, and access to justice. The consultant will provide evidence-based recommendations for legal and policy reform, ensuring that the analysis is sensitive to Somalia's constitutional, cultural, and governance context. The consultant will work closely with the UN Women Somalia Country Programme Manager and the WPS and Rule of Law team, receiving strategic guidance and support throughout the consultancy.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for preparing an inception report that outlines the methodology, workplan, legal framework, stakeholder mapping, and risk mitigation measures. They will conduct a desk review of relevant laws, regulations, and policies, and analyze the statutory, customary, and Sharia-based legal frameworks affecting women and girls. The consultant will engage in targeted consultations with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and women's organizations. They will prepare legal mapping matrices to identify discriminatory provisions and gaps, present draft findings for validation, and revise the assessment report based on feedback. Additionally, the consultant will develop a prioritized legal reform roadmap and prepare an advocacy brief summarizing priority reforms.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong legal analysis skills and the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical reform recommendations. A demonstrated understanding of gender equality, women's empowerment, and access to justice is essential. The consultant should have a strong grasp of Somalia's legal, customary, and political context, as well as experience engaging diverse stakeholders in sensitive discussions. High-quality analytical writing and communication skills are required, along with a strong understanding of ethical research and data protection principles.
Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Islamic Law, Legal Reform, Public Policy, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience:
A minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in legal analysis, law reform, gender equality, access to justice, or women's rights is required. Candidates should have experience conducting gender analysis of legislation, legal reform assessments, and engaging with various stakeholders, including government and civil society. Experience with UN programs or gender-responsive governance initiatives is considered an asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while Somali language skills are highly desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language is also desirable.
Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be home-based with potential travel to Mogadishu for consultations. The consultant will need to adhere to ethical considerations, particularly regarding the safety and confidentiality of participants. The position emphasizes a survivor-centered approach and requires the consultant to ensure that consultations are conducted in safe and accessible environments. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its standards of conduct.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.