Online Volunteers for Gender Responsive Budgeting Research

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is a global champion for gender equality, established in 2010, 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. UN Women operates in multiple countries, working towards the goals set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims for a more equal, just, peaceful, and sustainable world. The organization focuses on various initiatives, including the GenderEqualityXcelerate project in India, which aims to strengthen women's leadership in economic, social, and political spheres over a four-year period from 2024 to 2028.

Job Overview:
The position of Online Volunteers (OVs) is integral to supporting UN Women's research on Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and the Sixteenth Finance Commission in India. The OVs will engage in qualitative and quantitative research to analyze how fiscal devolution and local governance can better reflect women's priorities and gender equality outcomes. This role involves extensive literature review, data analysis, and the development of research tools to assess the effectiveness of GRB practices at the local level. The OVs will work under the supervision of the Programme Analyst and will be responsible for coordinating with the GRB Unit to ensure that the research aligns with UN Women's objectives and contributes to the broader goals of gender equality and women's empowerment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The OVs will be tasked with a variety of responsibilities, including conducting literature reviews, preparing annotated bibliographies, mapping relationships between GRB and local governance, compiling quantitative data, supporting qualitative research tool development, and preparing high-quality written inputs for research reports. They will also be responsible for maintaining clean datasets, participating in review calls, and ensuring adherence to ethical research principles. The OVs will focus on four interlinked research questions related to gender gaps in the Finance Commission, gender-responsive GPDP, translating GRB allocations into outcomes, and institutionalizing GRB at the local level. Each OV will be assigned specific tasks based on their expertise and the needs of the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong analytical and report writing skills, with a deep engagement in academic literature and policy analysis. They should have experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, particularly in the context of gender budgeting and fiscal policies. Familiarity with gender-responsive planning and budgeting frameworks is essential, as well as the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights. The role requires excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
A background in social sciences, public policy, gender studies, economics, or a related field is required. Candidates should have a strong understanding of gender issues and fiscal policies, as well as experience in research methodologies relevant to the study of gender-responsive budgeting and local governance.

Experience:
Candidates should have prior experience in research, particularly in the areas of gender equality, public finance, or local governance. Experience working with governmental or non-governmental organizations on gender-related projects will be an advantage. The role requires familiarity with data analysis tools and research methodologies, as well as the ability to engage with stakeholders at various levels.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all documentation and communication will be conducted in English. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, and Bihar would be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is part-time and will involve a commitment over the duration of the research project. The OVs will work remotely and will be compensated for their contributions. The project is expected to run from 2024 to 2028, and the OVs will be expected to participate in regular meetings and provide updates on their progress. UN Women is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.