National Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Its mission focuses on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of 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. Established to advocate for gender equality, UN Women operates in multiple countries and collaborates with various stakeholders to promote women's rights and gender-responsive policies. The organization has launched initiatives such as the Gender Action Lab (GAL) in partnership with the Government of Australia, aimed at fostering innovations and actions that advance gender equality in the Asia-Pacific region. UN Women employs a diverse workforce and engages in multi-stakeholder partnerships to drive transformative change in gender equality across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in identifying key thematic areas aligned with the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) and establishing a foundation for initiating additional WEPs Corporate Action Labs in the Philippines. This position involves collaborating with various stakeholders, including government officials, private sector actors, and civil society, to assess gaps in gender equality actions and explore opportunities for innovative solutions. The consultant will be responsible for drafting challenge briefs that articulate thematic issues and conducting stakeholder consultations to gather insights and feedback. The overarching goal is to empower more women to lead and participate equitably in the workforce by implementing gender-responsive business practices and policies. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Analyst – GAL (Philippines) and contribute to the momentum generated by the GAL initiative, which aims to close the private sector and government 'Action Gap' in gender equality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Drafting 1–2 challenge briefs that clearly articulate the thematic issue, background, stakeholder landscape, and a 'How Might We' challenge framing, informed by desk research and stakeholder engagement.
• Conducting and organizing stakeholder consultations (minimum of 1) and key informant interviews (KIIs) with at least 5 identified key stakeholders to assess gaps in action and explore envisioned outcomes.
• Coordinating and engaging with key stakeholders across the private sector, public sector, civil society, and development actors to assess their roles and influence in advancing gender equality.
• Ensuring that the developed challenge briefs reflect gender-responsive strategies and actions, incorporating insights from consultations and feedback from UN Women and stakeholders.
• Providing technical support to UN Women’s Women’s Economic Empowerment portfolio, including facilitating WEPs information sessions and supporting GAL-related events and innovation lab workshops. Expected outputs include proposed stakeholder mapping, progress reports, and documentation of activities related to WEPs, GAL, and WEE.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates should possess excellent research and analytical skills, strong knowledge of the private sector in the Philippines, and a solid understanding of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. Familiarity with the Women’s Empowerment Principles is considered an asset. The consultant should also demonstrate the ability to analyze trends and synthesize data into actionable recommendations for management and strategic decision-making.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in gender/women's studies, international development, 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. This educational background is essential to ensure that the consultant has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to effectively engage with gender issues and women's empowerment initiatives.

Experience:
At least one year of progressively responsible work experience in the Philippines in the areas of private sector engagement, research, or gender equality and women’s economic empowerment is required. Experience in the private sector focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), sustainability, or gender equality is essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience in conducting research and analysis of private sector or policy trends relevant to women’s economic empowerment, which will be critical for the successful execution of the consultant's responsibilities.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Filipino languages is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, conducting interviews, and drafting reports and challenge briefs. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultant is expected to work remotely and report to the UN Women office as needed. Access to the UN Women office may be provided for printing relevant documents or for on-site work when required. The consultant may be required to undertake a minimum of two official travels outside the duty station. Reimbursement for transportation and official meeting-related costs incurred during stakeholder consultations and other official engagements will be provided in accordance with UN Women’s policies. The contract duration is from February 28, 2026, to December 30, 2026, with expected outputs due every 30th of the month. UN Women emphasizes its core values of respect for diversity, integrity, and professionalism, and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.