Women’s Economic Empowerment Consultant

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 merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. UN Women operates with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men in various sectors including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization has a global presence and works in numerous countries, including Uzbekistan, where it aligns its initiatives with national strategies and laws to promote gender equality and women's rights.

Job Overview:
The Women’s Economic Empowerment Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the 'Women’s Economic Empowerment in Uzbekistan' project. This position involves providing technical and coordination support for various program activities aimed at enhancing women's economic participation and empowerment. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Analyst and the guidance of the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director, focusing on designing, implementing, and monitoring initiatives that promote women's entrepreneurship, access to financial services, and job matching for women graduates. The consultant will also engage with multiple stakeholders, including government entities, private sector partners, and civil society organizations, to foster collaboration and ensure the successful execution of project objectives. The overarching goal is to create an inclusive economic environment where women can thrive and contribute to sustainable development in Uzbekistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support for the Women’s Entrepreneurship EXPO, including designing the program, coordinating stakeholders, and documenting outcomes.
• Develop and implement gender-responsive financial services for women entrepreneurs, including assessing existing products and creating training materials.
• Facilitate job matching and employment opportunities for women graduates, organizing job fairs and tracking employment outcomes.
• Expand the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) program by promoting its adoption among companies and providing guidance on gender-responsive policies.
• Contribute to knowledge management by developing tools and reports related to women's economic empowerment and documenting lessons learned from project activities.
• Coordinate with various partners to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of project outputs, ensuring gender-responsive recommendations are integrated into all activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of women's economic empowerment, including experience with entrepreneurship, access to finance, and labor market policies. Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and coordinate multi-stakeholder activities is essential. The consultant should demonstrate skills in data analysis, report writing, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively. Strong communication skills in English and Uzbek are required, with knowledge of Russian considered an asset. The consultant should also have a commitment to gender equality principles and experience applying gender-responsive approaches in design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in economics, gender studies, development studies, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in women’s economic empowerment, livelihood recovery, or employment-related programming is required. Candidates should have experience in designing and implementing skills mapping, gap analyses, and vocational training programs, as well as working with public institutions and civil society organizations on women's economic empowerment initiatives. Familiarity with results-based management and reporting tools is an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek is mandatory, while knowledge of Russian is considered an asset. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for facilitating meetings and consultations with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based assignment with a total contract duration of a maximum of 100 working days until December 31, 202

• The consultant will be compensated monthly based on approved deliverables and timesheets. UN Women will cover travel costs for any necessary trips to project provinces, adhering to UN Women’s rules and regulations. The consultant is required to complete all mandatory UN training courses and submit certificates to the supervisor. The position emphasizes core values such as integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications and experience in relation to the job requirements.