Expert consultant on empowerment of marginalized groups and referral coordination (Phase I)

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, working to ensure that every person can exercise their rights to health, education, and equality. The organization is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, particularly in areas related to family planning, maternal health, gender-based violence, and demographic change. UNFPA's mission is driven by a focus on human rights and the empowerment of marginalized groups, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are met in the development agenda.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to support the establishment and operationalization of a referral coordination mechanism for women's economic empowerment. The consultant will play a crucial role in designing and launching the Investment Facility for Economic Empowerment, which involves strengthening institutional coordination among various stakeholders, including government institutions, employment services, private sector partners, and women's support organizations. The consultant will accompany beneficiaries and employers throughout the process, from consultation and design to application and post-award implementation. This first phase includes consultations in RS and Brčko District, validation conferences in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, and the establishment of the referral coordination framework. The consultant will focus on two interconnected workstreams: supporting self-employment pathways for marginalized women and establishing preferential employment pathways for these women, particularly survivors of gender-based violence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for two main workstreams: 1) Investment Facility for Economic Empowerment and the self-employment pathway, which includes liaising with the RS Gender Equality Centre, planning and organizing consultation meetings, preparing consultation reports, and refining the design of the Investment Facility based on stakeholder feedback. 2) Preferential employment pathway, which involves engaging employers to identify workforce needs, coordinating with Employment Bureaus, establishing referral pathways, identifying barriers to employment, and advising institutions on sustainable employment pathways. The consultant will also support the organization of two stakeholder validation conferences in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, ensuring that the proposed Investment Facility is validated and institutional ownership is built among partner institutions. The consultant will document all deliverables electronically in English and in editable format, ensuring timely submission of reports and recommendations throughout the assignment.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a blend of knowledge in empowerment of marginalized groups and complex ecosystem coordination. Required qualifications include at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in empowerment, employment/entrepreneurship, or social inclusion programmes for marginalized groups. Candidates should demonstrate experience in referral coordination across diverse stakeholders, hands-on experience with marginalized women, and proven ability to navigate government and UN systems. Knowledge of employment benefits for self-employment and practical experience in entrepreneurship support are essential. Candidates should also have experience in programme design, implementation, and monitoring, as well as an understanding of the institutional structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in economics, business administration, policy, development studies, gender studies, social sciences/humanities, or a relevant field is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in relevant fields, particularly in empowerment, employment, or social inclusion programmes for marginalized groups. Experience in referral coordination and working directly with marginalized women is crucial, as is familiarity with government and UN systems.

Languages:
Fluency in the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian) is mandatory, along with an excellent command of English, both spoken and written. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics.