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 on 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.

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 Georgian regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli, and Mtskheta-Mtianeti. 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 work closely with beneficiary women and women's groups to enhance their capacities in local planning and budgeting, ensuring they are equipped to engage effectively in local governance. The consultant will also be responsible for conducting needs assessments, providing capacity development support, and facilitating communication among women’s groups to foster their involvement in local decision-making processes. This role requires a deep understanding of gender issues and the ability to mobilize and empower women at the grassroots level.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support rural women mobilized in Self-help Groups (SHGs) by the WEESC project in target municipalities on Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) methodology through regular capacity development interventions based on needs assessments.
• Assist SHGs in identifying local needs, conducting needs assessments, and prioritizing local problems through in-person and online experience-sharing and strategic planning activities.
• Provide capacity development support to SHGs to enhance their understanding of local governance structures and decision-making processes, increasing awareness of opportunities for community engagement.
• Offer hands-on assistance to beneficiary women around GRB initiatives through regular communication and strategic planning activities.
• Deliver progress reports at specified intervals, documenting the activities and outcomes of the consultancy work.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Political Studies, Public Policy, Social Policy, or related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree combined with seven (7) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least 5 years of work experience in practical implementation of Social Mobilization methodology and working at the grassroots level with rural women.
• At least 5 years of experience in developing and organizing capacity-building activities.
• At least 5 years of experience in gender equality, gender mainstreaming, gender analysis, and women’s empowerment issues.
• Excellent verbal communication and facilitation skills.
• Previous experience in conducting training is a strong asset.
• Proven track record of working on Gender-Responsive Budgeting projects.
• Prior experience with UN/EU agencies in Georgia is considered a distinct advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Political Studies, Public Policy, Social Policy, or other related fields. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with seven (7) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or 7 years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. This experience should include practical implementation of Social Mobilization methodology, capacity-building activities, and work related to gender equality and women's empowerment.

Languages:
Fluency in Georgian is required for this position, while a working level of English language proficiency is desired. This language requirement is essential for effective communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with some travel required to the target regions. The consultant will report to the WEESC Programme Analyst and the WEESC Project Analyst, with support from the WEESC Project Assistant regarding contract and payment issues. The consultancy is expected to produce several progress reports throughout the project duration, with specific deadlines for each report. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, aligning with UN Women’s core values and competencies.