Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in EU Accession Process

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 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 in all aspects of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women is committed to placing women's rights at the center of its efforts and coordinates the UN system's actions to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action worldwide. The organization is involved in various initiatives, including supporting countries in their European integration processes, particularly in aligning national policies with EU standards, including gender equality provisions.

Job Overview:
The Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the State Chancellery and line ministries in Moldova to identify priorities for gender mainstreaming within the EU accession process. This position is particularly significant as Moldova has recently been granted EU candidate status and is working towards aligning its national policies with EU standards. The Consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including the Parliament and government ministries, to ensure that gender considerations are integrated into the accession clusters and chapters. The role involves contributing to gender-specific analyses for the EU Enlargement Package and national progress reports, providing legal and policy advice to align Moldovan legislation with EU Gender Equality Acquis, and institutionalizing gender mainstreaming across key ministries. The Consultant will also be responsible for drafting policy briefs, conducting training sessions, and ensuring that gender-responsive budgeting and impact assessments are part of the EU harmonization processes. This position requires a deep understanding of Moldova's legal and economic landscape, as well as the EU accession process, to effectively support the government's efforts in these areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and prioritize gender mainstreaming by engaging with the Parliament, State Chancellery, and line ministries to identify gender priorities within accession clusters and chapters.
• Contribute to gender-specific analysis for the EU Enlargement Package, country reports, and national progress reports.
• Provide legal and policy advice to align Moldovan legislation with the EU Gender Equality Acquis, focusing on directives related to equal pay, non-discrimination, and gender-based violence.
• Support the screening and approximation process across all negotiation chapters.
• Recommend tools and mechanisms for gender mainstreaming in key ministries such as agriculture, economy, finance, and justice.
• Introduce gender-responsive budgeting and gender impact assessments in EU harmonization processes.
• Draft policy briefs, gap analyses, presentations, and legislative proposals.
• Design and deliver training on the EU Gender Equality Acquis and gender mainstreaming for various stakeholders, including civil servants and local authorities.
• Collaborate closely with UN Women staff and personnel involved in project development and coordination related to EU integration processes. 1
• Report to the Programme Specialist and work in conjunction with the Project Analyst for contract and payment issues.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Law, Public Policy, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in governance, public administration, or related fields is required.
• Proven experience in providing legal advice or technical support on drafting or amending national legislation in Moldova is required.
• Experience in human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment is essential.
• Previous experience with EU institutions regarding Moldova’s accession process will be considered an asset.
• Familiarity with EU acquis frameworks and experience in coordinating meetings with government authorities will be advantageous.
• Experience with UN Women or other UN agencies is a plus.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Law, Public Policy, International Relations, Gender Studies, or Social Sciences. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and EU legislation.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant work experience, particularly in governance, public administration, or related fields. Candidates should have a proven track record of providing legal advice or technical support in drafting national legislation, specifically in the context of Moldova. Experience in human rights and gender equality initiatives is essential, along with familiarity with the EU accession process and frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Romanian is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of any other UN official language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and resources.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, meaning no travel is expected as part of the assignment. Payment will be made for services performed based on the number of days worked, with full payment contingent upon satisfactory performance and approval of deliverables. The Consultant acknowledges that acceptance of the contract does not guarantee a minimum fee. The role emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and standards of conduct.