National Expert on Workplace Discrimination

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 work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving gender equality. UN Women operates in various countries, including Uzbekistan, where it has been active for over two years, concentrating on Women's Economic Empowerment, Gender Responsive Budgeting, and addressing harmful social norms and gender stereotypes. The organization aims to support the Global Accelerator initiative, which seeks to create decent jobs and extend social protection to marginalized populations.

Job Overview:
The National Expert on Workplace Discrimination will conduct a comprehensive research study focusing on both direct and indirect forms of discrimination in the workplace, particularly emphasizing gender-related dimensions. This role involves assessing national legislation on discrimination, analyzing cases, and identifying gaps in the current framework. The expert will collaborate closely with an international expert to ensure a thorough desk review of international legislation and policies, comparing them with national standards. The assignment aims to culminate in a detailed report that presents key findings and actionable policy recommendations to promote gender equality in the workplace. The expert will also engage with various stakeholders, including government entities and workers, to gather diverse perspectives on discrimination practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a legislative scan of national laws related to workplace discrimination, focusing on both direct and indirect discrimination.
• Analyze existing cases and decisions related to discrimination in the workplace.
• Perform a gap analysis to identify shortcomings in the current legal framework regarding gender equality.
• Conduct interviews with relevant national entities, including the Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Employment and trade unions, to gather insights on discrimination practices.
• Engage with workers, particularly informal workers, to capture a broader range of experiences related to workplace discrimination.
• Draft a comprehensive report detailing findings, policy recommendations, and strategies to address identified gaps.
• Collaborate with the international expert to ensure alignment of national standards with international conventions.
• Present findings at the Tripartite Round Table and other relevant forums.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in legal, political or social science, economics, international development studies, gender/women's studies, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in developing concept papers, policy documents, methodologies, and guidelines.
• Extensive experience in labor relations, decent work, macroeconomics, and gender equality.
• Demonstrated expertise in women’s economic empowerment, particularly in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region.
• Proficiency in computer applications, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as legal studies, political science, social science, economics, international development, or gender studies is required for this position. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of workplace discrimination and to develop effective policies and recommendations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, particularly in developing policies and methodologies related to workplace discrimination and gender equality. Candidates should have a strong background in labor relations and women's economic empowerment, with specific knowledge of the ECA region being advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. This language requirement ensures effective communication and reporting, particularly in a global context where English is often the primary language of discourse.

Additional Notes:
This is a home-based consultancy position, and no travel is expected during the assignment. The consultant will be compensated based on the completion of deliverables, with specific payment schedules outlined for each phase of the project. The assignment will involve collaboration with UN Women and the ILO, ensuring adherence to international standards and conventions related to discrimination and gender equality. The consultant will be expected to maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity throughout the assignment, in line with UN Women’s values and competencies.