Consultant for Institutional Mapping of ECOWAS Structures

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women supports Member States in setting and implementing global standards for gender equality and coordinates gender-related work within the United Nations. The organization operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce committed to its mission of gender equality. UN Women's Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 focuses on integrated approaches to address the root causes of inequality across four impact areas: women's leadership and decision-making, women's economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, and women's peace and security, as well as humanitarian action.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting an institutional mapping of ECOWAS structures to identify strategic entry points for integrating care economy priorities into regional policy frameworks. This role is crucial in addressing the significant barriers women face in economic participation due to unpaid care responsibilities. The consultant will work closely with the UN Women Women’s Economic Empowerment Regional Advisor and the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) to develop actionable recommendations that align with ECOWAS' core mandate and priorities. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of gender-responsive economic policies and the ability to analyze existing frameworks to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. The consultant will also engage in data collection, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that findings are presented effectively to stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key activities, including:

• Institutional Mapping: Mapping ECOWAS Commission directorates, departments, agencies, and affiliated bodies relevant to care systems. Identifying existing policies and initiatives that impact care systems and highlighting gaps and opportunities for integration.
• Entry Point Identification: Analyzing ECOWAS policy cycles and strategic planning processes to develop an action plan for mainstreaming care into ECOWAS frameworks.
• Developing an Institutional Case: Creating a high-level narrative and advocacy pitch to position the care economy as a strategic priority for ECOWAS.
• Data Collection: Conducting a desk review of existing documentation, online interviews, and in-person interviews at ECOWAS headquarters and the EGDC.
• Reporting: Preparing and presenting findings during a restitution workshop and integrating feedback into the final report. The consultant is expected to complete these tasks within a 40-day assignment, starting on January 5, 2026, and concluding by April 27, 2026.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in economics, gender, care and development studies, political science, social science, or a related field. A PhD in a similar field is considered an asset. Candidates must have at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in gender-responsive public policies, particularly in the context of the care economy and women's economic empowerment. Experience working with or within the ECOWAS Commission or other regional institutions on gender equality is essential. The consultant should possess excellent analytical skills, a strong drive for results, and the ability to work independently.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, gender studies, care and development studies, political science, or social science. A PhD in a related field is advantageous and may enhance the candidate's profile for this consultancy role.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, particularly in gender-responsive public policies that intersect with the care economy and women's economic empowerment. Experience in working with ECOWAS or similar regional institutions is highly desirable, as is a proven track record of conducting similar assignments in Sub-Saharan Africa. Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently are critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and French is required for this position, as the consultant will be engaging with diverse stakeholders across the ECOWAS region. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with required missions to the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, and the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre in Dakar, Senegal. The contract duration is from January 5, 2026, to April 27, 2026, with a total of 40 days of work expected. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives.