Consultant for Women's Economic Empowerment

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women 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. The organization has a significant presence in various countries, working to strengthen institutional mechanisms for gender equality and promote gender-responsive governance.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening women's economic empowerment and financial inclusion through integrated support for business formalization, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and access to formal financial services in targeted districts. The overall objective is to enhance women's economic participation by working closely with local councils to formalize businesses and build the capacity of women entrepreneurs. Specific objectives include establishing and strengthening VSLAs using gender-transformative approaches, conducting training sessions, and facilitating effective linkages between VSLAs and formal financial institutions to expand access to financial services. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of gender equality issues and the ability to implement strategies that promote women's economic empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for operationalizing integrated business formalization clinics within selected local councils, facilitating registration processes for women entrepreneurs, and delivering tailored capacity-building sessions covering business planning, financial literacy, record keeping, and market access. Additionally, the consultant will conduct VSLAs trainings, strengthen existing VSLAs through governance and leadership training, and ensure transparency and accountability in financial management. Key deliverables include an inception report detailing methodology and stakeholder engagement, reports on business training and formalization clinics, VSLA training outcomes, and financial linkages with formal institutions. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist and collaborate with various stakeholders to achieve these objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in women's economic empowerment, enterprise development, business formalization, VSLA programming, and financial inclusion. Proven experience in gender equality and women's rights, particularly in women's civil society organizations or gender-based violence, is essential. Candidates should have a strong understanding of gender-transformative programming and experience engaging with financial institutions and market systems. Strong facilitation, training, and report-writing skills are also required, along with the ability to work in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's Degree in relevant fields such as Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or Gender Studies. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be considered sufficient. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of women's economic empowerment and the necessary strategies to promote it effectively.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in areas such as women's economic empowerment, enterprise development, business formalization, and financial inclusion. Experience working with local councils, government agencies, and community structures is essential. Proven experience in conducting training and evaluations related to VSLAs and business development is also required. Familiarity with international standards on human rights and women's rights, as well as experience in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development programs, is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Krio is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but the primary requirement is strong communication skills in these two languages to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and facilitate training sessions.

Additional Notes:
The position is a consultancy role, and specific details regarding contract duration, seniority level, and full-time or part-time status are not specified in the job ad. UN Women emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on qualifications, competence, and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy on 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. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.