National Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in EU Integration

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in promoting 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, which include normative support, UN system coordination, and operational activities. The organization has been actively involved in supporting national priorities related to women's political participation, gender-responsive public policy, and women's economic empowerment, particularly in the context of Ukraine's European integration efforts.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant for Gender Mainstreaming in EU Integration will play a crucial role in supporting the government of Ukraine (GoU) in integrating gender considerations into the EU accession processes. This position requires close coordination with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. The consultant will provide expert and technical support to ensure that gender mainstreaming is effectively incorporated into the various stages of EU integration. The role involves analyzing national legislation, developing policy recommendations, and facilitating discussions among stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and women's groups. The consultant will also be responsible for preparing analytical materials and presentations, as well as organizing training activities to enhance the capacity of relevant stakeholders on gender equality and EU integration. This position is essential for ensuring that gender equality is prioritized in Ukraine's efforts to align with EU standards and commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Consultant will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Supporting coordination and communication with relevant government institutions to identify priorities for gender mainstreaming in the EU accession processes.
• Assisting in the preparation of Enlargement Package Reports.
• Screening national legislation relevant to specific EU negotiating chapters and gender-relevant EU acquis.
• Developing propositions for aligning Ukrainian legislation with EU acquis, including sectoral legislation.
• Providing policy advice on gender mainstreaming in the EU integration processes, including monitoring compliance of Ukrainian legislation with EU acquis across all negotiation chapters.
• Preparing presentations and analytical materials on proposed amendments to national legislation.
• Facilitating public discussions and multistakeholder consultations on gender issues, engaging government, parliament, civil society organizations, and women's groups.
• Providing expert support to international consultants hired by UN Women for expert advice on Ukraine's EU accession.
• Organizing training activities to build the capacity of stakeholders at national and local levels on gender equality and EU integration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced (Master's) degree in Law, Public Policy and Administration, Economics, European Studies, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social and Humanitarian Sciences, or related fields. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant work experience in human rights, gender equality, governance, public administration, or related fields. Proven experience in providing legal support to government institutions regarding the alignment of Ukrainian legal frameworks with the EU accession process is essential. Familiarity with EU institutions and the accession process will be considered an asset, as will experience with UN Women or other UN agencies. A strong understanding of human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, as well as knowledge of EU acquis and frameworks related to gender equality, is required. Experience in coordinating and providing technical support for meetings and consultations with government authorities is also necessary.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced (Master's) degree in relevant fields such as Law, Public Policy and Administration, Economics, European Studies, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social and Humanitarian Sciences, or related disciplines. This advanced education is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues within the context of EU integration and legal frameworks.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience following the completion of their Master's degree. This experience should be in areas related to human rights, gender equality, governance, public administration, or similar fields. Proven experience in providing legal support to government institutions regarding the alignment of Ukrainian legislation with EU standards is critical. Previous involvement with EU institutions and the accession process will be viewed favorably, as will experience working with UN Women or other UN agencies. A demonstrated understanding of human rights, gender equality, and women's empowerment, along with knowledge of EU acquis and frameworks, is essential for success in this role.

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 to have an additional asset, enhancing their qualifications for the role.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is based in Kyiv and is classified as a partial office-based consultancy. The role requires a commitment to UN Women’s core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations. The recruitment process will involve rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Candidates must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.