Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is a leading organization in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries, with a mission to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization focuses on improving the lives of women and girls, advocating for their rights, and addressing issues such as gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls as a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for sustainable development. The organization employs thousands of staff worldwide, working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Expert will play a crucial role in the independent evaluation of the UNFPA Mongolia 7th Country Programme (2023-2027). This position requires a deep understanding of gender equality, women's empowerment, and the human rights of women and girls, particularly in the context of sexual and reproductive rights. The expert will be responsible for assessing the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of the programme. This includes contributing to the methodological design of the evaluation, participating in data collection and analysis, and providing substantive inputs throughout the evaluation process. The expert will engage with various stakeholders, including UNFPA staff and the evaluation team, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation that informs the next programme cycle. The role demands a commitment to ethical evaluation practices and the integration of human rights and gender perspectives in all phases of the evaluation process.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a technical assessment of interventions related to the human rights of women and girls, harmful gender norms, and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response.
• Contribute to the methodological design of the evaluation, ensuring that it is robust and inclusive.
• Undertake a thorough document review to gather relevant information and context for the evaluation.
• Conduct interviews and facilitate group discussions with stakeholders to gather qualitative data during the field phase.
• Draft substantive inputs for evaluation deliverables, focusing on Gender and GBV thematic areas.
• Collaborate with the CPE Manager and Team Leader to develop the evaluation work plan and agenda for fieldwork.
• Ensure that all deliverables are submitted electronically in English, adhering to the specified deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical standards throughout the evaluation process.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the evaluation team, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess a Master’s degree in women/gender studies, human rights law, social sciences, development studies, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting evaluations, reviews, assessments, research studies, or monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in the field of international development is required. The candidate should have substantive knowledge of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, GBV, and issues surrounding masculinity, gender relationships, and sexuality. The ability to ensure ethics and integrity in the evaluation process, including confidentiality and the principle of do no harm, is essential. Furthermore, the candidate must demonstrate excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as experience working with multidisciplinary teams of experts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as women/gender studies, human rights law, social sciences, or development studies. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the empowerment of women and girls, as well as for conducting thorough evaluations in these areas.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience is required, specifically in conducting evaluations, reviews, assessments, or research studies in international development. The candidate should have a proven track record of working on gender equality and women's empowerment issues, as well as experience in monitoring and evaluation processes. Familiarity with the national development context of Mongolia is also highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, as all deliverables must be submitted in English. Proficiency in Mongolian is also required, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the evaluation process. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 45 non-consecutive working days, distributed between March 2026 and September 202

• The consultant will be required to deliver services primarily in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with travel to sub-national project sites. All deliverables must be submitted electronically, and the consultant will report to the CPE Manager and Team Leader. Payments will be made based on the approval of deliverables, with specific percentages allocated to different stages of the evaluation process. Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) and travel costs for field missions will be settled separately from consultancy fees, in accordance with UNFPA Duty Travel Policy. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.