Consultant for Diaspora Engagement Strategy

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established in July 2010, UN Women was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in promoting gender equality. The organization focuses on eliminating gender-based inequalities and fostering women's leadership globally, particularly in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Women operates in multiple countries, with a significant presence in regions like West and Central Africa, where it aims to leverage the contributions of the diaspora to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be engaged to support the design of a diaspora engagement strategy aimed at promoting gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE). This role involves conducting a comprehensive mapping of relevant diaspora actors, including individuals, networks, and organizations that fall within the scope of UN Women West and Central Africa's interventions. The consultant will also identify best practices and lessons learned from global diaspora engagement initiatives, particularly those related to gender equality and women's empowerment. Furthermore, the consultant will provide guidance on establishing a diaspora engagement framework that aligns with UN Women’s strategic objectives and will support stakeholder engagement by developing a clear value proposition that can be transformed into concrete proposals for partnerships and programmatic initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities will include:

• Conducting a mapping of diaspora actors, networks, and opportunities relevant to UN Women’s mission.
• Analyzing best practices and lessons learned from other contexts to inform the diaspora engagement strategy.
• Developing an Inception Report that includes analysis and recommendations aligned with UN Women’s mandate.
• Creating a Value Proposition Document that outlines initial actionable items for programs and advocacy, as well as an engagement plan to build strategic connections with key diaspora actors.
• Ensuring that all deliverables are completed in a timely manner and meet the quality standards set by UN Women.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree in social sciences (such as sociology, demography, psychology, political science, or economics), public policy, international development, or climate change. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience in diaspora engagement, partnerships, or business development, with a proven track record of translating diaspora contributions into structured programs or funding frameworks. Additionally, candidates should have experience in conducting research and developing strategic documents for engaging various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, public policy, or international development. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying work experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of diaspora engagement and gender issues.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in diaspora engagement, partnerships, or business development. This experience should include a demonstrated ability to conduct research and develop evidence-based strategies for engaging with various stakeholders, particularly in the context of gender equality and women's empowerment. Proven leadership experience working with high-level decision-makers is also required, along with experience in developing pitch materials within an international organization.

Languages:
Superior writing skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the diaspora communities being engaged.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work location. The position is expected to involve collaboration with various stakeholders and may require official travel as necessary. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and has a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.