Consultant for Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality Assessment

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as part of the UN reform agenda. The organization is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, merging the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on these issues. UN Women 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. The organization has a significant presence in various countries, including Somalia, where it addresses the challenges faced by women and youth in conflict-affected areas.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Economic Empowerment and Gender Equality Assessment will play a crucial role in the Strengthening Resilience of Displaced and Host Communities in Dolow (SRDHT) Project. This project aims to provide durable solutions through women's and youth economic empowerment, climate-resilient livelihoods, and institutional strengthening. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a rapid context assessment to analyze the economic empowerment and gender equality landscape in Dolow, focusing on the needs and opportunities for women and youth. This includes mapping partners working on women's empowerment, documenting available vocational training courses, and assessing barriers to employment and financial access. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Country Programme Manager and in close coordination with the Programme Specialist, ensuring that the assessment is gender-responsive and inclusive of youth perspectives.

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

• Developing an inception report that outlines the methodology, work plan, data collection tools, and risk mitigation measures for the assignment.
• Conducting rapid data collection on women's and youth economic empowerment and employment conditions across targeted IDP locations and host communities.
• Undertaking focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), stakeholder consultations, and community profiling.
• Assessing displacement dynamics, service availability, access constraints, security, social norms, and operational risks.
• Identifying key barriers affecting women's and youth participation in economic activities.
• Mapping active women-led and women's rights organizations in Dolow and assessing their capacity to support economic empowerment initiatives.
• Conducting a market-based assessment to identify viable microbusiness opportunities for women and youth.
• Developing a concise Gender & Youth Brief that synthesizes key findings and provides recommendations for project implementation.
• Mapping community structures and analyzing decision-making processes to identify opportunities for strengthening social cohesion and youth participation in peacebuilding.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Sociology, Labour Market Studies, Youth Development, Statistics, Public Policy, or a related social science field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a strong commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work under pressure. Strong communication and facilitation skills are essential, along with the ability to produce high-quality analytical reports and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in a relevant field such as Gender Studies, Development Studies, or Economics is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional relevant experience. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in social science methodologies and gender analysis, equipping the candidate to conduct assessments and analyses in humanitarian or development contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in conducting rapid assessments, context analyses, and socio-economic studies in humanitarian or development settings. Experience in gender and youth economic empowerment is essential, along with proven expertise in designing and implementing mixed-method data collection methodologies. Familiarity with the socio-economic and labour market context of Somalia, particularly in Dolow or Jubaland, is highly desirable. Experience working with displacement-affected populations and engaging with UN agencies and local stakeholders is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is essential for communication and reporting. Knowledge of the Somali language is desirable, as it would facilitate engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The assignment will be field-based in Dolow, with community engagement in IDP settlements and host communities. The consultant will coordinate closely with various UN agencies and government counterparts throughout the assessment process. The position may involve travel within the region and requires a commitment to gender-responsive and inclusive practices. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims of the organization.