UN Women Human Rights Defenders 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. It consolidates the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between genders in various sectors including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, promoting mutual respect and equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The UN Women Human Rights Defenders Consultant position is focused on developing a comprehensive legal and policy framework for the protection of human rights defenders in Papua New Guinea. The consultant will lead the drafting process of a human rights defenders protection bill, informed by national laws and international human rights treaties. This role requires a deep understanding of human rights, legal frameworks, and the ability to translate international standards into national legislation. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and women's rights groups, to ensure that the bill addresses the specific needs of human rights defenders, particularly women. The assignment will adopt a survivor-centered, gender-responsive approach, aiming to enhance the protection and support mechanisms for human rights defenders in PNG.

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

• Inception, planning, and stakeholder engagement, which includes reviewing relevant documents, preparing an inception report, and assessing the existing legal framework.
• Policy and legislative analysis and drafting, focusing on developing the Human Rights Defenders Policy and Bill, identifying gaps, and ensuring alignment with international obligations.
• Stakeholder engagement and inclusive consultation, ensuring meaningful participation from various groups and documenting findings.
• Policy advocacy, validation, and legal review, which involves supporting government and parliamentary processes, conducting validation workshops, and incorporating stakeholder feedback.
• Deliverables, documentation, and quality assurance, ensuring that all outputs are well-documented and reflect stakeholder inputs.
• Final consultancy report, summarizing the entire process and outcomes of the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, social sciences, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in legal support for social accountability mechanisms, gender equality, and women's empowerment is required. Candidates should have a strong focus on ending violence against women, particularly in community mobilization and movement building. Proven experience in developing legal frameworks, training manuals, and SOPs within the PNG health or justice sectors is essential. Familiarity with the Family Protection Act, SARV National Action Plan, and the National GBV Strategy is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Law, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or social sciences is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of human rights law and gender issues in the context of Papua New Guinea.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in legal support related to social accountability mechanisms, gender equality, and women's empowerment. Candidates should have a strong focus on addressing violence against women and experience in community mobilization and movement building. Proven track record in developing legal frameworks and familiarity with the Family Protection Act and other relevant national strategies is essential. Experience working with government agencies and the UN system is highly desirable, along with courtroom advocacy experience.

Languages:
Excellent verbal and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Tok Pisin is also required, as it is essential for effective communication within the local context and with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 6 months, commencing on 1st November 2026 and concluding by 31st December 202

• The consultant will work under the supervision of the UN Women Papua New Guinea Deputy Country Representative and will receive support from the UN Women EVAW team. Payment will be made upon the submission and approval of deliverables, with specific percentages allocated to different phases of the project. The consultant will also be expected to conduct fieldwork, with all associated costs covered by UN Women.