International Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization 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. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect, and it recruits and promotes individuals based on qualifications and competence, regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or any other basis covered by law. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, and all selected candidates undergo rigorous background checks to ensure adherence to its standards of conduct.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will lead and coordinate a comprehensive analysis of harmful social norms and gender stereotypes in Uzbekistan, particularly focusing on at least two regions, one of which must be Surkhandarya. This role involves designing and implementing a detailed analysis using mixed methodologies, guiding national consultants in data collection, and ensuring the reliability of findings. The consultant will also be responsible for developing policy and practice recommendations based on the analysis, creating a presentation summarizing key findings, and facilitating discussions with stakeholders. The consultant's work will contribute to the broader goal of promoting women's empowerment and participation in Uzbekistan's sustainable economic development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks: 1) Lead the design and implementation of a detailed analysis of harmful social norms and gender stereotypes in at least two regions of Uzbekistan, ensuring the development of appropriate data collection methodologies and tools. 2) Supervise national consultants throughout the research process, providing technical guidance and support to ensure high-quality data collection. 3) Analyze the data collected, ensuring the reliability of findings, and prepare a comprehensive report based on this analysis. 4) Develop policy and practice recommendations addressing gender-based barriers, particularly focusing on social and cultural norms. 5) Create a PowerPoint presentation summarizing the analysis and recommendations, and facilitate validation meetings with key stakeholders. 6) Design a roadmap for scaling up activities in other regions based on lessons learned and propose future awareness-raising campaigns. 7) Document best practices and risks observed during the pilot phase to inform the scale-up strategy.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in Development Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or relevant fields. Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of experience in leading and coordinating research studies or developing publications in the field of gender equality and women's empowerment. Demonstrated expertise in gender analysis, knowledge of national and international gender policies, and experience in gender mainstreaming are essential. Familiarity with the socio-cultural, economic, and geopolitical contexts of Central Asia is advantageous, as is knowledge of international agreements related to gender equality. Strong analytical skills and research experience, particularly in analyzing harmful social norms and gender stereotypes, are required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree, either a master's degree or a Ph.D., in relevant fields such as Development Studies, Gender Studies, or Social Sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and for conducting high-level research and analysis.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of relevant experience in leading and coordinating research studies or developing publications in the field of gender equality and women's empowerment. Candidates should have a proven track record of expertise in gender analysis and familiarity with gender policies at both national and international levels. Previous experience in analyzing harmful social norms and gender stereotypes is particularly valuable.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, working knowledge of Russian and Uzbek is considered an asset, as it will facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the field.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to take up to 30 working days over a period from August to November 202

• Payment will be based on the achievement of deliverables, with specific target dates outlined for each deliverable. The consultant will work remotely and is expected to use their own computer. UN Women and UNFPA will provide necessary background materials and support for coordination with national consultants. The consultant is expected to adhere to UN Women’s values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, while promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.