Consultant for Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion in Rural Egypt

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. 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 in multiple countries, focusing on various initiatives aligned with international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The organization works closely with governments, civil society, and the private sector to implement strategies that promote women's economic empowerment, particularly in rural areas, and to support national strategies like Egypt's Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women (NSEEW).

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in analyzing and documenting the operational lifecycle, performance metrics, challenges, and best practices of the Ta7wisha Programme, which focuses on women's financial and economic inclusion in rural Egypt. This consultancy aims to provide a comprehensive report that outlines the core processes of the programme, identifies challenges faced during implementation, and synthesizes successful strategies for scalability. The consultant will be responsible for conducting in-depth process mapping, performance and data analysis, and field research to gather insights from stakeholders, including programme facilitators and saving group members. The ultimate goal is to enhance the programme's effectiveness and provide actionable recommendations for its future development and adaptation in other contexts.

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

• Conducting a thorough desk review of existing project documents, training materials, and performance reports related to the Ta7wisha Programme.
• Developing detailed process flowcharts that map the entire lifecycle of the Ta7wisha model, from mobilization to loan disbursement.
• Analyzing existing project monitoring data to assess performance against key indicators such as the number of women onboarded, groups formed, and loan repayment rates.
• Conducting field research in Beni-Suef and Assiut to collect primary data through interviews and focus group discussions with programme facilitators, saving group members, and implementing partners.
• Identifying and documenting challenges encountered during the programme's implementation, including digital, socio-cultural, and institutional barriers.
• Synthesizing best practices and providing clear recommendations for the scale-up and continuous improvement of the Ta7wisha model.
• Preparing and delivering presentations on the findings and recommendations of the report to relevant stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in finance, social sciences, economics, gender development studies, or other relevant fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in project implementation, particularly in areas related to gender issues and rural development. Familiarity with the context of rural Upper Egypt and the ability to engage with government partners, NGOs, and community stakeholders is essential. A solid understanding of gender equality and women's economic empowerment issues is required, along with excellent analytical skills and a strong drive for results.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as finance, social sciences, economics, or gender development studies is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and economic empowerment in rural contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in project implementation, particularly in areas related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and rural development. Experience working with government partners, NGOs, and community stakeholders is essential, as is familiarity with the socio-economic challenges faced by women in rural Upper Egypt.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position. Knowledge of any other UN official language, such as French, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with potential travel to Assiut, Beni Suef, Sohag, and Minya for field research. The contract duration is expected to span approximately 11 months, with a total of 92 working days. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a commitment to integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to verify academic credentials and employment history.