National Consultant/Trainer

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 advancing women's rights and gender equality. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, with a mission to ensure that the rights of women and girls are at the center of global progress, advocating for gender equality in all aspects of society.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant/Trainer position is designed to support UN Women in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in the context of climate change in Sri Lanka. The consultant will develop and deliver a tailored training module aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of officials from the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MWCA) regarding the integration of climate action into gender-focused projects and programs. The training will address existing knowledge gaps and build practical skills necessary for gender-responsive climate action. The consultant will also assist in creating an action plan or set of recommendations for the MWCA to implement in their policies and programs, thereby fostering a robust framework for gender-responsive climate action in Sri Lanka.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including: 1) Assessing the current knowledge, skills, and capacity of MWCA officials regarding gender-responsive climate action through a pre-training assessment. 2) Developing or adapting a training module that equips officials with the necessary tools and strategies to integrate climate action into gender projects, programs, plans, and budgets. 3) Delivering an interactive two-day training session in local languages for approximately 30 MWCA officials. 4) Supporting the development of an action plan or recommendations based on the training outcomes. 5) Conducting a post-training evaluation to assess knowledge gained and gather feedback. 6) Finalizing a comprehensive report summarizing the training process, outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future capacity-building efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline such as Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, Development Studies, Gender or Women’s Studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of progressively responsible experience at the national and/or international level will be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in climate change and gender equality, with proven experience in conducting research or implementing programs in this nexus in Sri Lanka. Experience in conducting training programs for government officials is highly advantageous, as is experience engaging with UN agencies and high-level government stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Environmental Sciences, Climate Change, Development Studies, Gender or Women’s Studies. A first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may also be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of gender-responsive climate action and effectively training government officials.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience, particularly in the areas of climate change and gender equality. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in conducting research and implementing programs that address the intersection of climate change and women's empowerment in Sri Lanka. Previous experience in delivering training programs, especially for government officials, is crucial, as is familiarity with report writing and documentation skills in both English and local languages (Sinhala/Tamil).

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, along with fluency in local languages, specifically Sinhala and Tamil. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication during training sessions and for the development of training materials that are accessible to all participants.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to commence on September 25, 2025, and continue until the end of November 2025, with an estimated total of 30 working days. Payments will be based on the successful completion of deliverables, which include assessments, training modules, and final reports. The consultant may be reimbursed for mobile and internet bills, printing, stationery, translation, and travel costs, subject to prior approval from UN Women. All deliverables must be finalized in accordance with feedback from UN Women, and the consultant will be required to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures throughout the assignment.