Senior Consultant- Gender Budgeting (GB)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is 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 on 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. UN Women is recognized as a thought leader in gender-responsive budgeting, particularly in India, where it has been actively involved in promoting gender equality through various initiatives and partnerships with government and civil society for over two decades. The organization emphasizes the importance of gender-responsive budgeting as a macro-economic strategy to address gender disparities and promote inclusive development, particularly in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Senior Consultant- Gender Budgeting (GB) will play a crucial role in documenting the process and impact of Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in India over the last decade, specifically from 2015 to 202

• This position involves assessing how GRB programs and policies have enabled stakeholders to prioritize, monitor, and evaluate investments in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) at the national level. The consultant will also examine the impact of GRB as a tool for advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, and will identify gaps and propose strategic recommendations to accelerate progress toward gender equality. The consultant will be responsible for engaging with various stakeholders, including government departments, civil society organizations, and gender experts, to collect and compile data and deliver a comprehensive report within a stipulated timeframe. This role requires a deep understanding of gender issues and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key activities, including:

• Conducting stakeholder mapping of relevant government departments, institutions, research organizations, civil society organizations, and gender experts involved in gender responsive budgeting.
• Conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with key stakeholders and actors who have been part of the gender responsive budgeting journey over the last decade.
• Performing a desk review of policies and programs that allocated budgets to address GEWE at the national level and in Madhya Pradesh over the last decade.
• Documenting success stories at both the national and state levels.
• Assessing the impact of the GRB program on the implementation of selected schemes/programs related to GEWE in Madhya Pradesh. The consultant will also be responsible for delivering an inception report, finalized KII tools, draft national and state reports, and a detailed presentation showcasing the assessment process and key results with actionable recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s Degree or equivalent in fields such as Economics, Social Sciences, Social Work, Gender Studies, Journalism, Public Administration, Policy, or related areas. Candidates must have substantial work experience in policy advocacy and gender-responsive budgeting, particularly at the national or state level. A strong understanding of development issues and gender is essential, along with good oral and written communication skills. The consultant should demonstrate a positive and constructive attitude towards work, adhere to deadlines, and maintain confidentiality with internal and external partners.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s Degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Economics, Social Sciences, Social Work, Gender Studies, Journalism, Public Administration, or Policy. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender-responsive budgeting and its implications for policy and governance.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of experience is required, specifically at the national or state level, working with government entities, UN agencies, or organizations focused on Gender Responsive Budgeting, Gender Responsive Governance, and Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. Experience in process documentation, strategic planning, and development is also essential. Familiarity with gender-responsive budgeting initiatives and their implementation will be considered an added advantage.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, along with a good command of Hindi and the state language in reading and writing. This linguistic capability is important for effective communication with stakeholders and for conducting interviews and documentation.

Additional Notes:
This is a part-time consultancy assignment. The consultant is expected to use their own computer equipment, as the office will not provide any. Travel and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) will be arranged and settled according to UN Women’s norms. The payment schedule is structured based on the completion of specific deliverables, including an inception report, data collection, final reports, and a detailed presentation. The evaluation and selection process will include a written sample and an interview, with criteria based on required qualifications and relevant experience. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.