National Consultant for Gender Equality and Human Rights

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda, aimed at consolidating resources and mandates to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving gender equality in various sectors including development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women operates globally, with a significant presence in Ukraine, where it supports the government and civil society in advancing gender equality and implementing national and international commitments, particularly in the context of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda. The organization focuses on four priority areas: Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action; Ending Violence against Women and Girls; Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Governance and Participation in Public Life. UN Women’s Strategic Note for 2025–2029 aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Ukraine, addressing national priorities in humanitarian response, early recovery, and long-term reconstruction, particularly in light of the ongoing recovery efforts in Ukraine, which are projected to cost hundreds of billions of USD.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in providing legal and regulatory expertise to ensure that gender equality and human rights are effectively integrated into decentralization reforms, regional and local development, and recovery-related legal and policy frameworks in Ukraine. This position requires a deep understanding of the legal landscape and the ability to analyze and provide recommendations that align with international commitments such as CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners, to promote gender-responsive governance and planning. The role also involves capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and the development of knowledge products to support the integration of gender equality into recovery processes. The consultant will be expected to conduct gender analyses of legal frameworks, develop gender-responsive legal recommendations, and provide advisory support on strategies and planning to ensure compliance with gender equality standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including: conducting regular screenings of draft and existing legislation related to decentralization and recovery processes; preparing evidence-based, gender-responsive recommendations for laws and policy frameworks; providing legal and policy advice on integrating gender equality into national and local development strategies; supporting advocacy efforts for harmonizing legislation with international gender equality standards; offering technical support to working groups on decentralization and recovery; designing and delivering capacity-building activities for key stakeholders; identifying and documenting good practices on gender-responsive legal frameworks; engaging in consultations and coordination meetings with various stakeholders; contributing to the development of analytical papers and policy briefs; ensuring the integration of gender equality standards into digital recovery tools; advising on the application of gender mainstreaming tools; and strengthening the capacity of development partners to apply gender-responsive approaches in governance and recovery initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced (Masters) degree in law, gender studies, or a related field. They should have at least 2 years of relevant work experience in human rights, gender equality, governance, or public administration. Proven experience in providing legal support and policy advice to government institutions at various levels is essential, along with a strong understanding of human rights and gender equality commitments in Ukraine. Experience in high-level dialogues and consultations with government officials and parliament members is also required. Previous work with development agencies or the United Nations is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced (Masters) degree in law, gender studies, or a similar discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of legal frameworks and gender issues in the context of decentralization and recovery efforts in Ukraine.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience following their Master's degree. This experience should be in fields related to human rights, gender equality, governance, or public administration, with a focus on providing legal and policy advice to government institutions. Familiarity with national and international gender equality commitments, as well as experience in engaging with high-level stakeholders, is essential for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in verbal and written Ukrainian is required, along with a working level of verbal and written English. Proficiency in these languages is necessary for effective communication and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions and civil society organizations.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with occasional travel required to partner institutions and target regions. The consultant may need to undertake up to five official trips, with all travel-related expenses covered by UN Women in accordance with their rules and regulations. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, aligning with UN Women’s core values and competencies. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and standards of conduct, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.