National Consultant on CSO Engagement (Retainer)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, providing leadership and coordination for the UN's efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action. It works closely with Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote women's rights and gender equality across various sectors, including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. In Vietnam, UN Women aligns its strategies with the country's socio-economic development objectives and gender equality commitments, contributing to the National Strategy for Gender Equality and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant on CSO Engagement will play a crucial role in enhancing the participation of civil society organizations (CSOs) in gender equality policy processes in Vietnam. The consultant will provide demand-driven technical support to strengthen the capacity of CSOs to engage in advocacy, monitoring, and policy dialogue. This position requires a deep understanding of gender equality issues and the ability to facilitate collaboration among diverse CSOs. The consultant will work under the guidance of the Country Representative and in close coordination with the UN Women programme manager, focusing on three interrelated areas: CSO network coordination, capacity building, and collective advocacy. The consultant will be responsible for mapping relevant CSOs, facilitating consultations, developing capacity-building materials, and supporting advocacy efforts that connect international commitments with national priorities. The overarching goal is to empower marginalized groups and ensure their voices are heard in policy discussions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• CSO Network Coordination and Inclusive Participation: Map relevant CSOs and networks, identify collaboration opportunities, and support coordination on shared gender equality priorities. Plan and facilitate inclusive consultations and network meetings, ensuring meaningful participation from women-led organizations and groups facing intersecting discrimination. Liaise with organizations and UN Women on technical preparations and synthesize consultation outcomes.
• Capacity Building and Experience Sharing: Assess CSO learning needs and develop capacity-building plans and materials. Facilitate workshops and peer learning sessions on international standards and national policy processes. Provide tailored technical follow-up to help organizations apply learning and develop monitoring approaches. Document lessons and recommendations for continued learning.
• Collective Advocacy and Communication: Help CSOs gather evidence and synthesize recommendations into joint positions and policy briefs. Provide technical advice on advocacy strategies and communication products. Support the preparation and facilitation of policy dialogues and public events, ensuring collective messages inform policy discussions. All work must adhere to UN Women’s guidance on safeguarding and confidentiality.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess strong knowledge of gender equality, women's rights, and the role of civil society in policy development. They should demonstrate the ability to coordinate and collaborate within CSO networks while ensuring inclusive participation. The candidate must have experience in designing and facilitating capacity-building activities and possess strong analytical skills to turn evidence into practical advocacy messages. Excellent drafting, editing, and presentation skills in both Vietnamese and English are essential, along with strong planning and stakeholder engagement skills.

Educational Background:
A relevant advanced degree in social sciences, gender studies, international development, or a related field is required. The educational background should reflect a strong understanding of gender issues and civil society engagement.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in gender equality, women's rights, or civil society engagement. Experience working with CSOs in Vietnam or similar contexts is highly desirable. The consultant should have a proven track record of facilitating capacity-building initiatives and engaging in policy advocacy.

Languages:
Fluency in Vietnamese and English is mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the local context may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and is expected to start on November 1, 2026, and end on October 31, 202

• The total number of working days allocated under this retainer contract shall not exceed 300 working days during the three-year period. The consultant will be engaged under a retainer contract, with services requested on an as-needed basis. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of deliverables, and there is no guarantee of a minimum number of days or services purchased under this contract. The consultant is expected to undertake regular update meetings with UN Women’s Programme Management Specialist and Coordination Officer.