Women’s Economic Participation and Legislative Reform Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is a regional arm of the United Nations that aims to promote economic and social development in the Arab region. Established in 1973, ESCWA works with member states to support their development efforts through research, policy analysis, and capacity-building initiatives. The organization focuses on various issues, including gender equality, economic reform, and sustainable development, and operates in multiple countries across the Arab region.

Job Overview:
The Women’s Economic Participation and Legislative Reform Consultant will play a crucial role in advancing gender-responsive economic reform in Jordan. This position involves leading the development of an analytical paper that identifies key regulatory barriers to women's economic participation, assesses the progress of reforms, and proposes priority legislative and policy actions. The consultant will work under the supervision of the relevant ESCWA program lead and will be responsible for conducting a thorough review of laws, regulations, and policies that impact women's economic participation, including areas such as labor market access, entrepreneurship, finance, childcare, transport, and social protection. The consultant's work will contribute to the broader goal of enhancing women's economic empowerment in Jordan, particularly in light of ongoing reforms under the Economic Modernization Vision.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing laws, regulations, and policies that affect women's economic participation in Jordan. This includes analyzing barriers related to labor market access, entrepreneurship, finance, childcare, transport, and social protection.
• Assess the implementation progress and challenges of gender-responsive commitments, particularly those under the Ministry of Social Development, to understand the current landscape of women's economic participation.
• Identify priority legislative and policy reforms that can enhance women's economic participation, drawing on regional and international best practices to inform recommendations.
• Draft a concise analytical paper (5–10 pages) that summarizes the key barriers to women's economic participation, evaluates the progress of reforms, and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Development, Public Policy, Economics, Law, or a related field. Additionally, experience in gender and social development policy initiatives is highly desirable. All applicants are required to submit a copy of their educational degree, as incomplete applications will not be considered. A minimum of 5 years of experience in gender and social development policy initiatives is required, along with familiarity with governmental coordination and legislative processes. Strong analytical, communication, and writing skills in Arabic are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Gender Studies, Social Development, Public Policy, Economics, Law, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the legislative environment affecting women's economic participation.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in gender and social development policy initiatives. This experience should include familiarity with governmental coordination and legislative processes, which are essential for effectively navigating the policy landscape in Jordan and advocating for necessary reforms.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations and ESCWA. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: speaking, reading, writing, and understanding. Additionally, knowledge of French is considered a valuable asset, although not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of 1 month and offers the flexibility of remote work. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Furthermore, the organization does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.