Gender Equality Research and Policy Specialist Consultant

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 resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused 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 collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, women's rights organizations, and academia, to ensure that commitments to gender equality translate into action. UN Women has a significant presence in multiple countries, working to strengthen research, data, and analytical capacities to address the unique challenges faced by women and girls in different contexts.

Job Overview:
The Gender Equality Research and Policy Specialist Consultant position at UN Women in Beirut is designed to lead and support high-quality research, policy analysis, and knowledge production relevant to the organization's mandate in Lebanon. The consultant will be responsible for translating data and evidence into actionable analysis that informs programs, policy engagement, advocacy, partnerships, and resource mobilization. The role involves implementing UN Women's research and analytical agenda, developing a research calendar aligned with strategic priorities, identifying evidence gaps, and formulating research questions that inform policy and programming. The consultant will undertake and coordinate various research methodologies, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, and ensure that research design adheres to gender-responsive and ethical standards. The consultant will also produce strategic research and policy products, strengthen data quality and evidence standards, and translate evidence into policy and programming recommendations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the implementation of UN Women Lebanon's research and analytical agenda by developing a country-office research calendar, identifying evidence gaps, and formulating research questions.
• Producing strategic research and policy products, such as analytical reports, policy briefs, and background papers on gender equality and women's rights issues.
• Strengthening data quality and methodology by designing research methodologies, reviewing data collection tools, and ensuring methodological rigor.
• Translating evidence into policy and programming by synthesizing research findings into practical recommendations for UN Women programs and contributing to strategic planning and resource mobilization efforts.
• Building research partnerships and strengthening the uptake of evidence by engaging relevant stakeholders in research design and dissemination. The consultant will also be expected to document lessons learned and promising practices from research findings.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or equivalent in gender studies, human rights, political science, economics, sociology, public policy, international relations, international development, statistics, social research, or another relevant social science field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, the consultant must possess excellent research, policy analysis, and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to translate complex evidence into clear findings and recommendations. Strong knowledge of gender equality and women's rights, as well as experience in designing and conducting research on these topics, is essential. The consultant should also have strong data-analysis skills and the ability to manage multiple research assignments effectively.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as gender studies, human rights, political science, economics, sociology, public policy, international relations, international development, statistics, or social research. A first-level university degree may be accepted in combination with additional qualifying experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability in the field.

Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in applied research, policy analysis, or gender analysis is required. Candidates should have experience designing and conducting research on gender equality and women's rights, producing high-quality analytical reports, and working with various stakeholders, including government institutions and civil society organizations. Experience in the MENA region and familiarity with statistical or qualitative-analysis software is desirable, as is experience working with the United Nations.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and audiences.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based in Beirut, with potential travel within Lebanon depending on the approved research workplan. The position is expected to adhere to UN Women’s values and competencies framework, emphasizing integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The consultant will be required to undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.