International Consultant - International Trade and Gender Equality

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is an organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, established to eliminate discrimination against women and girls. It operates globally, leading efforts to ensure that gender equality commitments are translated into action. UN Women collaborates with various stakeholders, including civil society, governments, and the private sector, to promote women's rights and economic empowerment, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization focuses on initiatives that support women in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic practices, and it has a significant presence in multiple countries.

Job Overview:
The position of International Consultant for UN Women involves developing a strategic framework and actionable program proposals aimed at enhancing gender-responsive implementation of Generalized System of Preferences (GSPs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in Asia and the Pacific. The consultant will be responsible for creating a robust evidence base that identifies how trade agreements can be leveraged to expand opportunities for women workers and women-owned businesses. This role requires a deep understanding of trade policy, gender equality, and economic empowerment, as well as the ability to translate complex legal provisions into practical actions that promote women's economic agency. The consultant will work closely with the Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment and engage with various stakeholders to validate and refine implementation proposals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Developing an inception workplan and analytical framework for the assignment, including a consultation plan and quality assurance approach.
• Conducting a comprehensive literature and policy review on gender-responsive trade approaches.
• Mapping relevant Asia-Pacific trade agreements and identifying gender provisions and implementation mechanisms.
• Conducting interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders to inform UN Women’s approach.
• Identifying opportunities for gender-responsive implementation support and mapping promising practices.
• Developing a comprehensive framework for gender-responsive implementation of GSPs and FTAs, including actionable entry points and success indicators.
• Creating a donor-facing program proposal that outlines UN Women’s value proposition in this area.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in fields such as international trade, economics, law, public policy, or gender studies. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in areas related to international trade, gender equality, and economic development. Experience analyzing trade agreements and integrating gender equality into trade and economic programming is essential. Familiarity with the Asia-Pacific region and experience working with UN Women or similar organizations is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in international trade, economics, law, public policy, international development, gender studies, or a related field. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional qualifying experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of trade policies and their implications for gender equality and women's economic empowerment.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in international trade, trade policy, economic development, and gender equality. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in analyzing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Generalized System of Preferences (GSPs), as well as integrating gender considerations into trade and economic programming. Experience in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with ASEAN and trade agreements involving the EU, Canada, and Australia, is a strong asset. Additionally, experience in developing strategic frameworks and donor proposals is required.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality analytical reports and proposals in English. Knowledge of other UN languages or languages spoken in the Asia-Pacific region is considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the organization's goals.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based and deliverable-based, with a total duration of 6 months. The consultant may need to travel to Bangkok or other selected countries in Asia and the Pacific for consultations and workshops, subject to prior agreement with UN Women. The payment for the consultancy will be based on the satisfactory completion of deliverables, which include a detailed workplan, literature review, mapping of trade agreements, and development of a comprehensive framework and program proposal. The consultant will report to the Regional Lead for Women’s Economic Empowerment and will collaborate with various teams within UN Women.