International Consultant for Communication Unit

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Established to advance women's rights globally, UN Women serves as the lead UN agency on gender equality and acts as the secretariat for the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The organization works to shift laws, institutions, social behaviors, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world for all women and girls. UN Women operates in multiple countries, collaborating with governments, women's movements, and the private sector to translate progress into lasting changes. The organization focuses on four key areas: leadership, economic empowerment, freedom from violence, and women, peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, as well as humanitarian action. UN Women in Bangladesh specifically supports the government in implementing commitments to international standards on gender equality and women's human rights, as outlined in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022-2026 and the corresponding UN Women Bangladesh Strategic Note (SN) 2022-202

• The organization aims to strengthen national structures for gender mainstreaming, prevent violence against women, promote women's access to decent work, and advocate for policies that empower women in the context of climate change and humanitarian crises.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Communication unit of UN Women Bangladesh in curating a commemorative coffee table book for the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This consultancy aims to ensure the professional curation of the book, which will highlight 30 changemakers from Bangladesh who have significantly contributed to advancing gender equality, alongside 30 artworks created by young female artists. The consultant will be responsible for leading the overall curation process, ensuring that the book reflects the commitments of the Beijing Declaration while resonating with diverse audiences. The consultant will also ensure narrative coherence, connecting the stories of changemakers with the accompanying artworks under the 12 critical areas of concern identified by the Beijing Declaration. The final publication should enhance the visibility and impact of the contributions made by changemakers and artists, aligning with UN Women’s communication and branding standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct initial consultations with the UN Women Communication team to clarify objectives, approach, and structure of the book.
• Review existing materials, including 30 changemaker stories and 30 artworks, and provide recommendations on gaps and narrative emphasis.
• Refine and research stories, providing revised drafts with suggested rewrites and additions while maintaining original structure and length.
• Develop a draft introduction to the book, either standalone or aligned with the UN Women Country Representative’s introduction.
• Edit stories and the introduction to ensure journalistic flow and alignment with the themes of the Beijing Declaration.
• Incorporate feedback from UN Women into the final versions of the stories and introduction.
• Conduct copy editing and quality control of the manuscript, ensuring it is ready for design.
• Select key highlights and pull quotes from the stories for emphasis.
• Curate a selection of accompanying artwork and photographs in collaboration with UN Women. 1
• Provide recommendations on layout, text size, and overall design in consultation with the designer. The total assignment is expected to take 36 days over a period of 4 months.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant must possess over 10 years of experience in editing, curating, and producing high-quality publications, including multi-author books and international reports. They should have a proven ability to shape narratives for clarity and impact for diverse audiences. The consultant should also have experience in conducting in-depth research and transforming complex material into compelling human-interest stories, particularly in the context of women’s rights and human rights advocacy. Additionally, the consultant should have extensive professional experience in three or more South Asian countries, with a deep understanding of political, social, and cultural contexts, particularly in Bangladesh. Experience collaborating with various stakeholders, including governments and NGOs, is also essential.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Literature, Development and Gender Studies, International Relations, Journalism, Mass Communication, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the ability to communicate effectively about them.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 10-12 years of experience in editorial leadership, content curation, and publishing. This includes commissioning, editing, and curating large-scale publications across print and digital formats. Relevant thematic expertise in human rights and women’s rights is essential, demonstrated through research, reporting, and editorial work. Experience working as a consultant or editor for international organizations, UN agencies, INGOs, and research institutions is required, along with a proven ability to deliver high-quality knowledge products and reports.

Languages:
Fluency in English, including strong writing skills, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the context of the work in Bangladesh or the broader South Asian region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, with no daily subsistence allowance (DSA) paid at the duty station. Travel outside the duty station may be required, and any such travel will be covered by UN Women, with a per diem not exceeding the United Nations daily subsistence allowance rate. The assignment will commence on 25 October 2025 and is expected to be completed by 25 February 202

• The consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of services delivered. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations.