Consultant for Mapping Women-Led Organizations

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 globally. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men. UN Women operates in numerous countries, providing leadership and support to Member States in their efforts to promote gender equality. The organization focuses on building effective partnerships with civil society and other stakeholders, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable groups of women and girls can exercise their rights. UN Women is committed to the principle of 'Leaving No One Behind' and aims to strengthen the leadership and visibility of Women-Led Organizations (WLOs) and Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs) as key players in advancing gender equality in Somalia. The organization recognizes the challenges faced by these groups, including limited access to funding and representation in decision-making processes, and seeks to address these issues through targeted actions and support.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Mapping Women-Led Organizations will play a crucial role in documenting the status of local NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Somalia, particularly focusing on Women-Led Organizations (WLOs), Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), and Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs). The consultant will assess their operational presence, thematic focus, and the challenges they face in the current humanitarian and development context. This position requires a deep understanding of the strategic priorities of these organizations and the types of support they need from UN agencies and development partners. The consultant will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive report that includes an inception report, detailed findings on the organizations' geographic presence and capacities, and a user-friendly Excel sheet compiling key data points. The consultant will also present the findings to UN Women and the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) Working Group for validation and discussion.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several specific tasks, including: documenting the current status of local NGOs and CSOs across Somalia, particularly WLOs, WROs, and YLOs; understanding their goals and strategic priorities; identifying the technical, financial, and institutional support they require; assessing their expectations from UN agencies and development partners; conducting interviews with representatives of local NGOs and CSOs; engaging with relevant line ministries to verify the existence and scope of work of these organizations; and analyzing the impacts of conflict, political instability, and humanitarian shocks on Women CSOs. The consultant will also be responsible for producing a comprehensive inception report, a detailed assessment report, a user-friendly Excel sheet, and a PowerPoint presentation summarizing key findings and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in international relations, gender studies, sociology, demography, economics, law, or other relevant disciplines. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in conducting research, assessments, and studies, particularly with a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Proven experience in conducting organizational assessments and mapping exercises is essential, along with the ability to produce high-quality analytical reports and data visualization tools. Candidates should also have extensive experience in gender equality programming, particularly with WLOs, WROs, and YLOs, and a solid understanding of the East and Southern Africa region.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in relevant fields such as international relations, gender studies, sociology, demography, economics, or law is required for this position. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience.

Experience:
The consultant must have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in research, assessments, and studies, with a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment. Experience in conducting organizational assessments and mapping exercises is crucial, as is a proven track record in producing analytical reports and data visualization tools for diverse stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language (such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish) is desirable, and fluency in Somali is also considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this consultancy is expected to extend until the completion of the deliverables, with specific deadlines for the inception report and final submission of the assessment report, Excel sheet, and PowerPoint presentation. The consultant will be expected to work full-time and may engage with international and national stakeholders. Compensation details and benefits will be discussed during the recruitment process.