Thematic Consultant (Gender)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in promoting 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. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men. UN Women collaborates with national and state governments, civil society partners, and development organizations to advance women's political participation, economic empowerment, and prevent gender-based violence. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Thematic Consultant (Gender) will conduct a comprehensive review and gender audit of the Nirbhaya Fund schemes, assessing their implementation and effectiveness at the field level. The consultant will utilize a mixed-method approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the gender responsiveness of government schemes under the Nirbhaya Fund. The role involves identifying gaps, good practices, and lessons learned, and providing actionable recommendations to enhance the gender focus of these initiatives. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and community organizations, to gather insights and validate findings. The audit will cover multiple states across India, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of the schemes' impact on women's safety and empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake the following duties:

• Conduct an inception and desk review, including meetings with key stakeholders and submission of an inception report detailing methodology and analytical framework.
• Develop and roll out online surveys to assess the implementation status of Nirbhaya Fund schemes, analyzing findings from central, state, and district-level officials.
• Conduct key informant interviews with representatives from relevant ministries, state officials, and civil society organizations to understand sustainability, quality, and accountability of the schemes.
• Organize two virtual regional consultations with stakeholders to discuss various interventions and validate findings.
• Facilitate a hybrid validation workshop to present consolidated findings and prioritize recommendations for strengthening Nirbhaya-funded interventions.
• Prepare high-level presentations and policy briefs for senior officials, ensuring that key findings and recommendations are effectively communicated.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment, with demonstrated experience in researching or working on gender issues. They should have strong research and writing skills, analytical abilities, and creative thinking. The ability to work harmoniously with diverse teams and stakeholders is essential. The consultant should also have a solid understanding of gender data and research, as well as experience in gender equality initiatives.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or equivalent degrees from recognized institutions is required for this position. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in gender issues and related fields.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 12-15 years of professional work experience in action research, data and policy analysis, and the development of gender-responsive programs. Experience working at the national level on gender-related policies and safety schemes is essential. The consultant should also have a proven track record of engaging with institutional mechanisms to strengthen survivor-centric services.

Languages:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory. Proficiency in any other Indian language is considered an asset, as it will aid in communicating research findings to diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
This is a part-time assignment, and the consultant is expected to use their own computer equipment, as the office will not provide any. Travel and DSA will be booked and settled as per SSA norms. The evaluation and selection process will include an interview and presentation. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The consultant must adhere to UN Women's policies and procedures, including undergoing rigorous reference and background checks.