National Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in EU Accession Process

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations entity dedicated to 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 on gender equality. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, with a mission 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. In Ukraine, UN Women focuses on advancing gender equality through its strategic priorities, including women's political participation, gender-responsive public policy, and women's economic empowerment. UN Women plays a critical role in supporting Ukraine's efforts towards European integration, particularly in aligning national legislation with EU gender equality standards.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will provide expert support for gender mainstreaming in the European accession process, specifically focusing on cluster 5, which includes resources, agriculture, and cohesion. This role involves close coordination with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine, as well as other relevant stakeholders at both national and regional levels. The consultant will assist the government of Ukraine by offering technical support and expert advice on integrating gender considerations into EU integration processes. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing relevant policies and legislation, developing recommendations for aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU gender equality acquis, and preparing analytical briefs and presentations. The consultant will also facilitate public discussions and consultations on gender issues, engaging various stakeholders, including government, parliament, and civil society organizations. This position is crucial for ensuring that gender equality is effectively integrated into Ukraine's EU accession efforts, particularly in the agriculture and rural development sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support coordination and communication with relevant government institutions to identify priorities for gender mainstreaming in the EU accession processes.
• Review policies and legislation related to specific EU negotiating chapters (cluster 5) and identify areas for intervention in line with EU gender equality acquis.
• Develop recommendations and provide expert advice on aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU standards.
• Provide policy advice on gender mainstreaming in the EU integration processes, including monitoring alignment of Ukrainian legislation with EU acquis.
• Prepare analytical briefs, presentations, and other materials related to proposed amendments to national legislation.
• Facilitate public discussions and consultations on gender issues, engaging government, parliament, and civil society organizations.
• Develop a handbook on gender mainstreaming in agriculture and rural development.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of capacity-building and training activities for stakeholders on gender equality and EU integration.
• Report to the Programme Specialist and submit all reports in English, with supporting documents in Ukrainian.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced (Masters) degree in Law, Agriculture, Public Policy and Administration, Economics, European Studies, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social and Humanitarian Sciences, or related fields.
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in agriculture, human rights, gender equality, governance, public administration, or related fields.
• Proven experience providing legal support in agriculture and rural development to government institutions.
• Previous experience with EU institutions and the accession process is an asset.
• Experience with UN Women or other UN agencies is also an asset.
• Strong understanding of human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, as well as national and international commitments in Ukraine.
• Experience coordinating and providing technical support for meetings and consultations with government authorities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced (Masters) degree in relevant fields such as Law, Agriculture, Public Policy and Administration, Economics, European Studies, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social and Humanitarian Sciences, or related disciplines. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender mainstreaming within the context of EU integration and agricultural policies.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant work experience following the completion of a Master's degree. This experience should be in fields related to agriculture, human rights, gender equality, governance, or public administration. Candidates should demonstrate proven experience in providing legal support within the agriculture sector and have familiarity with the EU accession process. Experience working with UN Women or other UN agencies will be considered a significant advantage, as will a solid understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment commitments both nationally and internationally.

Languages:
Fluency in both verbal and written English and Ukrainian is mandatory for this position. Candidates who possess knowledge of any other UN official language will be considered favorably, as this can enhance communication and collaboration in a diverse working environment.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is based in Kyiv and is classified as a partial office-based role. The consultant will be expected to engage in official travel as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities outlined in the job description. The position is part-time, and candidates should be prepared to work closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions and civil society organizations. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and is committed to creating a respectful work environment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.