National Consultant for Women's Economic Empowerment

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization 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, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve 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 has a diverse workforce and is committed to creating an inclusive environment that respects diversity, employing individuals regardless of race, religion, gender identity, or other characteristics. The organization is active in numerous countries, working closely with national partners to advance women's economic empowerment initiatives.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Women's Economic Empowerment will play a crucial role in supporting the UN Women Iraq Country Office in its mission to enhance women's economic empowerment in Iraq. This position involves conducting a comprehensive scoping exercise to identify collaboration opportunities with national partners, particularly the National Development Institute for Women (NDIW), the Higher Council for Women’s Development (HCWD), and other relevant governmental bodies. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including line ministries and institutions, to ensure that the scoping exercise is aligned with the Iraqi context and government policies. The consultant will be responsible for evidence gathering, policy and program mapping, data analysis, and stakeholder identification, which will directly inform the design of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) program. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UN Women Representative and report to the Programme Specialist, ensuring structured engagement with relevant institutions and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties will include conducting a comprehensive mapping of government strategies, plans, and sectoral priorities related to women's employment and economic empowerment. This involves identifying ongoing government programs that focus on women's economic empowerment, mapping donor-funded initiatives, and identifying entry points for collaboration. The consultant will coordinate with national women's machineries and governmental stakeholders to gather institutional priorities and review existing documents related to WEE. Additionally, the consultant will compile and synthesize statistics on women's labor force participation and relevant sectoral data, providing analytical inputs for the WEE program design. The consultant will also support the organization of consultation meetings, prepare meeting notes, and produce reports that synthesize findings and recommendations for the WEE program.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in economics, public policy, development studies, gender studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The position requires at least five years of relevant work experience in economic analysis, project design, policy design, or research focused on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Proficiency in computer skills, internet communication, and MS Office is essential. Experience working with government institutions in Iraq is desirable, as is prior work on gender-responsive programming or donor-funded development programs.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, public policy, development studies, or gender studies. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of women's economic empowerment and the policy implications involved.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant work experience. This experience should encompass economic analysis, project design, policy design, and research specifically related to Women’s Economic Empowerment. Familiarity with government institutions in Iraq is highly desirable, as is experience in gender-responsive programming and donor-funded development initiatives. The consultant should demonstrate a strong ability to analyze data and engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and oral Arabic and English is mandatory for this position. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for producing reports and documentation that meet the standards expected by UN Women.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, meaning there is no requirement for travel. The position does not specify a contract duration or seniority level, but it is implied that the consultant will work on a full-time basis to meet the deliverables outlined in the job description. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the organization's aims and objectives. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.