National Consultant – Legal Expert

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an entity of the United Nations established in July 2010, with the mission to promote gender equality and empower women globally. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender issues. UN Women works towards the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men. The organization operates in multiple countries, providing technical support to state and non-state partners to achieve substantive gender equality. In Georgia, UN Women focuses on various issues including gender mainstreaming in governance reforms, enhancing women's political participation, and addressing violence against women.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant – Legal Expert will play a crucial role in supporting the development and improvement of legislation and policies related to violence against women and domestic violence (VAWG/DV) in Georgia. This position involves engaging with various stakeholders, including governmental agencies and legislative bodies, to ensure compliance with international standards such as the Istanbul Convention. The consultant will be responsible for drafting amendments to existing legislation, facilitating consultations, and providing capacity development interventions to enhance the effectiveness of VAWG/DV services. The consultant will also be tasked with developing sexual harassment response mechanisms and ensuring that service providers are equipped to meet international standards. This role is essential for advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls in Georgia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will be responsible for a range of duties including: developing draft amendments to VAWG/DV-related legislation and policy papers; creating explanatory notes for legislative initiatives; facilitating consultations to gather feedback on draft documents; participating in Parliamentary Committee hearings; conducting further research and data collection as needed; collaborating with state agencies to enhance their capacity to respond to VAWG/DV cases; updating training modules on VAWG/DV and conducting necessary training sessions; developing methodologies for case analysis and producing analytical reports; establishing sexual harassment response mechanisms in alignment with national legislation and international best practices; and providing training to governmental agencies and political parties on preventing and responding to sexual harassment in the workplace. The consultant may also be required to perform additional duties related to data collection and capacity development interventions around gender-based violence prevention and response.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a higher university degree (master’s) in public policy, law, or human rights. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in these fields may be considered if accompanied by at least two years of relevant work experience. The position requires at least five years of experience (seven years if holding a bachelor’s degree) in working on gender equality and VAW/DV within the criminal justice system, particularly in law enforcement. Additionally, candidates should have substantial experience in drafting VAWG/DV-related legislation, conducting research and policy analysis on gender equality issues, and delivering training on VAW/DV topics.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a master’s degree in public policy, law, or human rights. A bachelor’s degree in these fields may be acceptable if the candidate has significant relevant work experience. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender equality issues and the legal frameworks surrounding them.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience for candidates with a master’s degree, or seven years for those with a bachelor’s degree. This experience should include work on gender equality and VAW/DV within the criminal justice system, involvement in drafting legislation related to VAWG/DV, and conducting research or policy analysis in this area. Additionally, candidates should have experience in training professionals on gender equality and VAW/DV issues, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Languages:
Fluency in Georgian and English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of reports and legislative documents. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with the possibility of up to 20 trips to various regions of Georgia during the contract period. Travel costs will be covered separately according to UN Women’s travel policy. The position is expected to adhere to UN Women’s values and competencies framework, emphasizing integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct incompatible with its aims, including discrimination and harassment. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history.