National Consultant for Capacity Building on Gender Equality

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an entity of the United Nations established in July 2010, with a mission to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, promote women's empowerment, and achieve equality between women and men in all areas of life. UN Women operates globally, focusing on various initiatives that support women's rights and gender equality, and works with national partners to implement international commitments. The organization is guided by strategic frameworks such as the Country Strategic Note 2023-2027 and the UN Women Global Strategic Plan (2022-2025), which align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Women has a presence in multiple countries, working with diverse stakeholders to promote gender-responsive policies and practices.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Capacity Building on Gender Equality will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of Territorial Employment Offices (TEOs), social assistance services, and professional training providers in Moldova. The consultant will be responsible for designing and implementing a comprehensive training program aimed at improving gender-responsive service delivery and addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, including women with disabilities, NEET women, and women with children. The consultant will conduct capacity needs assessments, develop tailored training materials, and facilitate workshops to build practical skills among participants. The overarching goal is to strengthen institutional capacities to deliver inclusive services and promote gender equality in the labor market, particularly for women from vulnerable backgrounds.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including: conducting a capacity needs assessment to identify gaps in knowledge and skills related to gender equality and vulnerable groups; designing a comprehensive training program that covers essential topics such as women's human rights, social inclusion strategies, and prevention of violence; organizing and facilitating a series of interactive workshops for TEOs and social service providers; providing follow-up support and guidance to ensure the practical application of new knowledge; and preparing a final report summarizing the capacity-building activities and recommendations for further development. The consultant will also be expected to engage with stakeholders and promote collaboration among multi-disciplinary teams to address the diverse needs of women in vulnerable situations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in law, political sciences, social sciences, public administration, or related fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of experience in capacity building, training, or advisory work related to gender equality and social inclusion is required. Experience working with national institutions on gender mainstreaming and with vulnerable groups is essential. Familiarity with the context of Moldova and experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, or civil society organizations will be considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as law, political sciences, social sciences, or public administration. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender equality and social inclusion, as well as for developing effective training programs and materials.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in conducting capacity building, training, or advisory work focused on gender equality and social inclusion. Candidates should have experience working with national institutions on gender mainstreaming and should have at least 2 years of experience working with vulnerable groups, particularly in the context of gender equality. Experience in monitoring legislative processes and organizing awareness campaigns on women's rights and social protection is also required. Familiarity with the challenges faced by NEET women, women with children, and persons with disabilities will be beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in Romanian and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication, training delivery, and report writing. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly in enhancing outreach and engagement with diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to last for a period of 7 months, with a possibility of extension based on performance and the needs expressed by national counterparts. The consultant will be required to travel to eight regions in Moldova to conduct training sessions and capacity-building activities. The payment for the consultant will include transportation costs, and all travel arrangements will be coordinated with UN Women. The consultant's performance will be evaluated based on criteria such as timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of deliverables. The reports and deliverables must be prepared in English, with technical documents potentially developed in Romanian as needed.