National Expert for CEDAW Reporting

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women (UNW) is an entity of the United Nations established in July 2010, with a mission to promote gender equality and empower women globally. It was formed as part of the UN reform agenda, merging the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates in numerous countries, including the State of Palestine, where it has been active since 1997 under the name UNIFEM. The organization aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, promote women's empowerment, and ensure gender equality in development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. UN Women works closely with Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders to translate commitments on gender equality into actionable results.

Job Overview:
The position of National Expert for CEDAW Reporting involves providing technical support to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) in Palestine. The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive and evidence-based national document that responds to the CEDAW Committee's List of Issues. This role requires a deep understanding of the Palestinian context, particularly how the ongoing occupation and conflict impact the State's ability to fulfill its obligations under CEDAW. The consultant will work under the guidance of the UN Women Deputy Special Representative and collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including MoWA and OHCHR, to ensure that the national replies document is coherent, inclusive, and reflective of the realities faced by Palestinian women and girls. The expert will facilitate consultations, analyze data, and draft the national replies document, ensuring it meets the CEDAW Committee's reporting requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Expert will be responsible for several key tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant documentation, including the CEDAW Convention and previous State reports.
• Analyze sectoral reports and data from governmental and non-governmental sources to ground the response in credible evidence.
• Develop a standardized data collection template for ministries and institutions to gather qualitative and quantitative information.
• Facilitate national consultations with the CEDAW national team and ensure inclusive participation from all stakeholders.
• Consult with member states and international organizations to incorporate their perspectives into the review process.
• Draft the national replies document, ensuring clarity, conciseness, and adherence to UN reporting standards.
• Document all consultations and integrate their outcomes into the drafting process, highlighting the impact of the Israeli occupation on the implementation of CEDAW.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, law, international development, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience working with international human rights mechanisms and treaty body reporting processes, particularly with CEDAW and related UN mechanisms. Experience in gender issues and women's human rights, as well as proven experience in drafting analytical and policy documents in both English and Arabic, is required. Candidates should also provide two samples of previous work relevant to the assignment.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, law, international development, or a related field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to engage with complex gender equality issues and international human rights standards.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of professional work experience, particularly in working with international human rights mechanisms and treaty body reporting processes. Candidates must have experience specifically related to CEDAW and its implementation, as well as a background in gender issues and women's human rights. Experience in monitoring and evaluation related to gender issues and national gender strategic frameworks is highly desirable. Previous experience in drafting high-quality analytical and policy documents in both English and Arabic is also a requirement, demonstrating the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in both languages.

Languages:
Proficiency in Arabic is mandatory for this position, as the work will involve engaging with local stakeholders and drafting documents that reflect the Palestinian context. Proficiency in English is also required, as the national replies document must meet the CEDAW Committee's reporting standards and may involve communication with international organizations and stakeholders. Candidates should be able to demonstrate their language skills through previous work samples or relevant experience.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based but requires field visits to various stakeholders, including MoWA, government entities, and civil society organizations. The position is expected to be full-time, and the consultant will work closely with UN Women and other partners throughout the assignment. The deliverables include an analytical review, a draft national replies report, and a final consolidated national replies document, all of which must be completed by specified deadlines. 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 United Nations.