National Consultant for Women’s Economic Empowerment

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is a United Nations entity dedicated to 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 in achieving gender equality. UN Women operates globally, supporting UN Member States in setting standards for gender equality and working with governments and civil society to implement laws, policies, and programs that promote women's rights. The organization focuses on five priority areas: increasing women's leadership and participation, ending violence against women, engaging women in peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security processes, enhancing women's economic empowerment, and integrating gender equality into national development planning. UN Women has a presence in multiple countries, including Georgia, where it collaborates with state and non-state partners to achieve substantive gender equality and protect the rights of women and girls. The organization emphasizes women's economic empowerment as a transformative process that enables women to enjoy their economic and social rights, exercise agency, and challenge inequalities. UN Women coordinates the UN system's efforts in advancing gender equality and is committed to ensuring that women's rights to economic equality are recognized and upheld through various international frameworks.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Women’s Economic Empowerment will play a crucial role in implementing social mobilization activities aimed at promoting women's participation in local decision-making processes in the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti in Georgia. This position is part of the third phase of the Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus (WEESC) project, which aims to economically empower women, particularly those who are poor and socially excluded. The consultant will support women mobilized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) by providing ongoing capacity development interventions based on their needs. The consultant will also facilitate access to skills, information, networks, and economic opportunities, enabling women to become farmers, entrepreneurs, or formal sector employees. The overarching goal is to ensure that women can participate in relevant decision-making processes and have greater awareness of existing discriminatory social norms in their communities. The consultant will report to the WEESC Programme Analyst and Project Analyst, with support from the Project Assistant.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Providing ongoing support to rural women mobilized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) through capacity development interventions tailored to beneficiaries' needs.
• Assisting rural women in obtaining and improving skills necessary to start or develop businesses and agrobusinesses, enhancing their employability or facilitating their entry into the formal labor market.
• Offering continuous capacity development support to mobilized women, particularly those who are poor and socially excluded, to access social support, information, and knowledge about public services and income-generating opportunities.
• Encouraging the formation of networks among beneficiary women engaged in business activities to collaboratively address challenges and strengthen connections with the private sector for integration into value chains.
• Delivering progress reports at specified intervals, documenting the activities and outcomes of the consultant's work, and ensuring accountability and transparency in the implementation of the project.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Political Studies, Public Policy, Social Policy, or related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with seven years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and women's empowerment issues, along with practical experience in social mobilization methodology and grassroots work with rural women. Excellent verbal communication and facilitation skills are essential, as is prior experience in conducting training and capacity-building activities. Experience working with UN or EU agencies in Georgia is considered a distinct advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Political Studies, Public Policy, or Social Policy. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by seven years of relevant experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the socio-economic challenges faced by women in the region.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant work experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or seven years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. This experience should include practical implementation of social mobilization methodologies, capacity-building activities, and a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment. Candidates should also have experience in facilitating training sessions and working directly with rural women to support their economic empowerment.

Languages:
Fluency in Georgian is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with local beneficiaries. A working level of English language proficiency is desired, as it may be necessary for reporting and collaboration with international partners.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with some travel required to the target regions. The contract duration is for the implementation of the WEESC project, which runs from 2024 to 202

• The consultant will be expected to deliver progress reports at specified intervals, ensuring that the project objectives are met and that the outcomes are documented. UN Women emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion in its recruitment process, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications and competence.