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 gender equality 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 leads the coordination of the UN system's initiatives to ensure that commitments on gender equality translate into action worldwide. In Moldova, UN Women supports the government in aligning with EU Gender Equality provisions as part of the country's European integration journey, particularly following its EU candidate status granted in June 202

• The organization plays a crucial role in facilitating the integration process by providing methodologies and frameworks for engagement with government and stakeholders in accession countries.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in the EU Accession Process is designed to support the State Chancellery and line ministries in Moldova by identifying priorities for gender mainstreaming within the EU accession clusters and chapters. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Parliament and the newly established Parliamentary standing committee on European Integration, to ensure that gender considerations are integrated into the legislative and policy frameworks necessary for EU accession. This role is critical in contributing to the implementation of UN Women Moldova's Strategic Priorities for 2023-2027 and aligning national priorities with EU standards, particularly in the areas of gender equality, women's participation in the labor market, and combating gender-based violence. The consultant will also be responsible for providing legal and policy advice, conducting gender-specific analyses, and recommending tools for institutionalizing gender mainstreaming across key ministries. The position requires a proactive approach to engage with government staff and institutional partners to enhance their understanding of EU standards and best practices, thereby accelerating the pace of reforms in Moldova.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Coordinating and prioritizing gender mainstreaming efforts by engaging with the Parliament, State Chancellery, and line ministries to identify and prioritize gender-related issues within the EU accession process.
• Supporting the development of the EU Enlargement Package by contributing gender-specific analyses to country reports and national progress reports.
• Providing legal and policy advice to ensure alignment of Moldovan legislation with the EU Gender Equality Acquis, including directives on equal pay, non-discrimination, and gender balance in decision-making.
• Supporting the screening and approximation process across all negotiation chapters to ensure gender considerations are integrated.
• Institutionalizing gender mainstreaming by recommending tools and mechanisms for key ministries, including the introduction of gender-responsive budgeting and gender impact assessments.
• Drafting policy briefs, gap analyses, presentations, and legislative proposals to support gender mainstreaming efforts.
• Designing and delivering training sessions on the EU Gender Equality Acquis and gender mainstreaming for various stakeholders, including negotiators, civil servants, and local authorities.
• Reporting to the Programme Specialist and collaborating with the Project Analyst to ensure effective communication and coordination throughout the consultancy.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Law, Public Policy, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or related disciplines. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates must possess strong partnership-building skills, proven negotiation abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement and learning. Solid research skills, including data collection and analysis, as well as strong reporting and documentation abilities, are essential. A deep understanding of Moldova's legal and economic landscape, human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment is also required, along with familiarity with Moldova's EU accession process.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in fields such as Law, Public Policy and Administration, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social and Humanitarian Sciences, Data Governance, Economics, or Finance. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with relevant work experience, demonstrating the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in governance, public administration, or related fields is required. Candidates must have at least 5 years of proven experience providing legal advice or technical support on drafting or amending national legislation within the Republic of Moldova. Experience in human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, as well as familiarity with national and international commitments in these areas, is essential. Previous experience with EU institutions regarding Moldova's accession process and knowledge of EU acquis frameworks will be considered advantageous. Experience in coordinating meetings and consultations with government authorities is also valued, along with any experience with UN Women or other UN agencies.

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 profile for the role.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, meaning no travel is anticipated as part of the assignment. In the event that travel becomes necessary, any associated costs will need to be agreed upon in advance between UN Women and the consultant. Payment for services will be made upon certification of satisfactory performance and submission of deliverables, with the possibility of installment payments based on the number of days worked. The consultant acknowledges that acceptance of the contract does not guarantee a minimum fee. UN Women is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs, and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct.