National Consultant- Junior Expert on Strengthening Women-led Businesses and CSOs

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to promote the right of every woman, man, and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and calls for a collective effort to 'build forward better' in the wake of the pandemic. UNFPA seeks principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who are committed to delivering high-impact results.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in the joint UN project 'Women lead the way towards peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in Bosnia and Herzegovina.' This initiative aims to strengthen the institutional resilience and financial sustainability of civil society organizations (CSOs) that work with conflict-affected and marginalized women, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). The consultant will be responsible for providing hands-on support to CSOs, helping them develop sustainable income-generating models, improve their public visibility, and strengthen their institutional branding. The consultant will work closely with a senior expert who will provide strategic guidance and thematic leadership. The role involves capacity strengthening and delivery of training programs, mentoring, and supporting CSOs in business planning, storytelling, and outreach. The consultant will also contribute to the development of training agendas and evaluation processes for the training programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Development of Workplan and Technical Preparation: - Contribute to the development of a detailed implementation plan for the initiative, including sequencing of activities and expected outputs. - Support the evaluation and selection of CSOs to participate in the training program based on agreed criteria. - Assist in developing pre and post evaluation tools. - Help draft and refine the public call for CSO participation, including eligibility criteria and application templates.
• Delivery of Training Programme: - Co-facilitate the delivery of two two-day training sessions focused on business planning and financial sustainability, and access to public funding and advocacy. - Develop post-training reports documenting session content, participant feedback, and recommendations for follow-up.
• Mentoring of CSOs: - Provide tailored mentoring to CSOs between training cycles, focusing on business development and institutional positioning. - Co-facilitate online mentoring sessions based on CSO needs. - Contribute to the development of individual CSO business and advocacy plans based on feedback.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in Social Sciences, Economy, Gender Studies, or related fields. Candidates should have at least 2 years of professional experience in women's economic empowerment and a proven track record in mentoring or accompanying CSOs or social enterprises in strategy development and visibility. Strong analytical, report writing, and communication skills are essential, along with excellent consultation and teamwork abilities. Knowledge of gender-sensitive and survivor-centered approaches is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Economy, or Gender Studies. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of women's empowerment and the socio-economic factors affecting CSOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in women's economic empowerment is required. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in mentoring or supporting CSOs or social enterprises, particularly in areas related to strategy development, visibility, and access to funding. Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building programs for CSOs and women-led businesses is also necessary.

Languages:
Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is mandatory, along with proficiency in English (both spoken and written). This language proficiency is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and for delivering training and mentoring sessions.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role with compensation based on UNFPA consultant rates and the available budget. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities. The organization emphasizes equal opportunities in recruitment and selection processes. The consultant will be expected to engage in background checks and other administrative requirements as part of the selection process.