International Consultant for Gender-Responsive Foreign Policies

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for 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 and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender issues. The organization operates globally, supporting governments, civil society, and regional organizations in translating global norms into coherent regional and national actions. UN Women is committed to ensuring that women can fully participate in decision-making processes and benefit from gender-responsive laws and policies. The organization has a significant presence in various countries and regions, including Europe and Central Asia, where it prioritizes gender-responsive governance and women's participation in political and public life.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant for Gender-Responsive Foreign Policies involves leading a regional scoping study aimed at understanding the current landscape of gender-responsive foreign policies in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region. The consultant will be responsible for designing the study, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing a comprehensive report that assesses the state of gender equality in foreign policy frameworks. This role requires collaboration with the UN Women Regional Office, headquarters, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the study aligns with UN Women's strategic vision and thematic priorities. The consultant will analyze how gender considerations are integrated into foreign policy domains such as peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, trade, and humanitarian action, and will provide actionable recommendations for policy development and implementation. The consultant will also facilitate stakeholder consultations to gather qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring that the voices of diverse actors are included in the study.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will conduct a comprehensive desk review on gender mainstreaming in foreign policy, mapping how gender equality is integrated across UN Women programme and non-programme countries. They will analyze key lessons learned from previous dialogues on feminist and gender-responsive foreign policy, assess how foreign policy links with Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and humanitarian action, and develop a methodology for the scoping study. The consultant will undertake in-depth regional analysis to identify best practices in feminist foreign policies, examine gaps and barriers to implementation, and organize stakeholder consultations to gather data. They will articulate a strategic vision for advancing gender-responsive foreign policies, lead an expert group meeting to validate findings, and summarize the results into a regional strategic vision report.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in gender studies, international relations, public policy, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting research and analysis on gender-responsive foreign policy is required, along with familiarity with the regional context and relevant stakeholders. Experience with UN Women or other UN agencies is preferred. Strong analytical skills, excellent writing and communication abilities, and effective stakeholder engagement skills are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in gender studies, international relations, public policy, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues within the context of foreign policy and international relations.

Experience:
The position requires at least 7 years of experience in research and analysis specifically focused on gender-responsive foreign policy. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in this field, demonstrating familiarity with the regional context and relevant stakeholders. Experience with UN Women or other UN agencies is preferred, indicating a strong understanding of the organization's mission and objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in another UN language used in the region is preferred, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and access a wider range of resources and literature.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women's values and competencies, including integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The role emphasizes the importance of gender sensitivity and accountability, requiring the consultant to engage effectively with various stakeholders. The position may involve organizing travel for stakeholder consultations, and the consultant will be expected to produce deliverables within specified timelines, including an inception package, draft regional scoping study, and final strategic vision report.