National Assistant Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact on gender equality and women's empowerment. 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 significant presence in the Pacific region, including the Fiji Multi-Country Office based in Suva, Fiji, which collaborates with over 20 other UN agencies across 14 countries and territories in the Pacific.

Job Overview:
The National Assistant Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting UN Women’s initiative to conduct a gender-responsive safety and access audit of the Port Vila market and the wider Central Business District (CBD). This position is integral to ensuring that reconstruction efforts post the December 2024 earthquake not only restore but enhance the safety, accessibility, and inclusivity of public spaces for women, girls, and marginalized groups. The consultant will assist in assessing the current reconstruction plans, identifying risks related to safety and violence in public spaces, and developing actionable recommendations to mitigate these risks. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government representatives and community members, to ensure that the audit findings are effectively integrated into ongoing reconstruction processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Assistant Consultant will be responsible for supporting the lead consultant in various phases of the gender audit. This includes conducting a desk review of relevant documents, facilitating key informant interviews and focus group discussions, leading site visits to assess the market and CBD, and managing data collection and analysis. The consultant will also contribute to the drafting of reports, including the Inception Report, Preliminary Findings Report, and the Full Gender Audit Report. Additionally, the consultant will assist in stakeholder engagement and validation workshops, ensuring that all data collection adheres to ethical standards and survivor-centered principles. The consultant will work closely with UN Women and relevant government stakeholders throughout the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher) in Gender Studies, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality, ending violence against women and girls (EVAWG), or social research, with experience in qualitative research in Vanuatu or the Pacific being highly desirable. Familiarity with gender audits, safety assessments, or urban planning processes is an advantage, as is knowledge of the local context and key stakeholders in Port Vila.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s equivalent or higher) in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related area is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree if accompanied by sufficient relevant experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or 7 years for those with a first-level university degree. Experience in conducting qualitative research, particularly in the context of Vanuatu or the Pacific, is essential. Familiarity with gender audits, safety assessments, or urban planning processes is preferred, along with a strong understanding of survivor-centered principles and ethical standards for data collection.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English is mandatory. Knowledge of Pacific languages, such as Bislama, is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's ability to engage with local communities effectively.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for up to 60 working days over approximately four months, with a possible start date from Q3 202

• The consultant will be based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, and will be required to conduct in-country fieldwork throughout the assignment. Home-based work may be permitted for certain phases of the project. Travel costs will be covered separately by UN Women, and the consultant's performance will be evaluated based on various criteria, including timeliness, quality of contributions, and adherence to ethical standards. Payments will be made based on deliverables, with specific percentages allocated to each phase of the consultancy.