In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment:
> Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
> International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
> Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI)
> United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
The main roles of UN Women are:
> To support inter-governmental bodies, such as the Commission on the Status of Women, in their formulation of policies, global standards and norms.
> To help Member States to implement these standards, standing ready to provide suitable technical and financial support to those countries that request it, and to forge effective partnerships with civil society.
> To lead and coordinate the UN system’s work on gender equality as well as promote accountability, including through regular monitoring of system-wide progress.
Job Description
Job Posting Organization: UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization aims 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 operates globally, with a focus on various regions, including the Arab States, and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that respects mutual respect and equality. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, enhancing its impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women employs a workforce that reflects diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment, training, and promotion are based on qualifications and competence, free from discrimination based on race, religion, gender identity, or any other basis covered by law.
Job Overview: The position of International Gender Researcher at UN Women involves synthesizing analytical findings into two professional, publication-ready reports focusing on gender analysis in humanitarian contexts, specifically in Syria. The researcher will work under the supervision of the Regional Monitoring Specialist and collaborate closely with technical teams from the World Food Programme (WFP) and OCHA Syria. The role requires a deep understanding of gender-differentiated vulnerabilities and the ability to analyze intersectional patterns affecting women and girls in humanitarian settings. The researcher will be responsible for interpreting quantitative data, contextualizing findings within the Syrian humanitarian context, and providing actionable recommendations for humanitarian actors. The position is home-based, allowing for flexibility while ensuring that the researcher meets deadlines and delivers high-quality outputs.
Duties and Responsibilities: The International Gender Researcher will undertake several key responsibilities, including:
Inception and Data Review: Reviewing analytical plans, questionnaires, and methodological notes for the Food Security Assessment (FSA) and Multi-Sector Needs Assessment (MSNA); analyzing prepared outputs and relevant literature; and providing an inception note outlining the report structure.
Drafting Gender Analysis Reports: Interpreting quantitative findings, identifying gender and vulnerability patterns, and contextualizing results within the Syrian humanitarian context. The researcher will draft comprehensive reports that include an executive summary, methodology, key findings, sectoral implications, and evidence-driven recommendations.
Validation and Finalization: Incorporating feedback from UN Women, WFP, and assessment partners; preparing a presentation summarizing key findings; and submitting fully edited, publication-ready final reports. The researcher will also integrate visual data representations into the reports as necessary.
Required Qualifications: Candidates must possess a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Political or Social Science, Economics, International Relations, International Development Studies, Gender/Women's 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 a strong foundation in gender analysis and humanitarian assessments, with a minimum of five years of professional experience in these areas. Proven experience in writing analytical reports for UN agencies or humanitarian organizations is essential, along with a strong understanding of the Arab States region, particularly Syria or similar protracted crises. Familiarity with IASC frameworks and humanitarian coordination mechanisms is desirable, as is experience working within the United Nations System.
Educational Background: The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Political or Social Science, Economics, International Relations, International Development Studies, or Gender/Women's 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 gender issues and humanitarian contexts.
Experience: The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in conducting gender analysis, humanitarian assessments, or related fields. Candidates should have a proven track record of writing analytical or assessment reports for UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), or humanitarian clusters. Strong knowledge of the Arab States region, particularly Syria, is essential, along with the ability to interpret quantitative data related to food security and protection indicators.
Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, as the reports and communications will primarily be in English. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it would enhance the researcher's ability to engage with local contexts and stakeholders effectively.
Additional Notes: This consultancy is home-based, meaning there is no requirement for travel. The deliverables include an inception note with report outlines due by January 12, 2026, the FSA Gender Analysis Report by January 18, 2026, and the MSNA Gender Analysis Report by January 22, 202
The position emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. The recruitment process will involve rigorous reference and background checks.
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