UN Women Consultant to Support the Development of a Report on International Models for Gender-Responsive Procurement Implementation

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as a response to the United Nations General Assembly's call for a dedicated entity to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization is grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and works towards eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving 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 globally, with a presence in multiple countries, focusing on various initiatives that promote gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Manager of the WRT 2.0 Project in Vietnam, collaborating closely with stakeholders such as the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) under the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The primary objective of this consultancy is to support the development of a comprehensive report on international models for Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP) implementation. This report aims to provide practical guidance for implementing GRP in Vietnam's public procurement system, responding to the legal mandates introduced by the revised Public Procurement Law and related legislation. The consultant will analyze international GRP models, focusing on how procurement officials in various countries operationalize GRP in their daily work, beyond mere policy commitments. The consultant will also identify common challenges in GRP implementation and propose practical solutions tailored to Vietnam's legal and institutional context. The primary users of the report will be procurement officials at ministries and provincial governments, while secondary users will include public procurement policy bodies and training institutions responsible for guidance and capacity building.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant is expected to undertake several key activities, including: 1) Conducting a desk review of relevant Vietnamese legislation and reports to inform the development of the report framework and draft report. This involves analyzing existing legal documents and reports that contribute to the understanding of GRP in Vietnam. 2) Supporting the lead consultant in conducting targeted technical consultations with selected stakeholders through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The consultant will gather feedback on the draft report framework and draft report, ensuring that the inputs collected are incorporated into the final document. The consultant will also be responsible for regular update meetings with the Programme Manager and Country Representative, as well as broader meetings with the VCO programme team as needed. Additionally, the consultant may be required to travel to selected provinces and cities to undertake necessary activities related to the consultancy.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree or higher in fields such as Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Procurement, Business, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or a related discipline. Candidates must possess a strong understanding of international commitments on gender equality, including CEDAW, CSW, and the Beijing Declaration. Furthermore, a good knowledge of the private sector context in Vietnam is essential. The consultant should demonstrate strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills, with a proven ability to work independently and deliver results. Additionally, the consultant should possess strong planning and organizing skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree or higher in relevant fields such as Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Procurement, Business, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or related areas. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of public procurement and gender-responsive policies.

Experience:
The consultant should have at least 5 years of professional experience in public procurement, public financial management, procurement policy, or related fields. This includes a minimum of 5 years of experience conducting policy research, legal analysis, comparative studies, or developing technical reports. Additionally, candidates should have at least 2 years of experience integrating gender equality, women's economic empowerment, supplier diversity, or social inclusion considerations into policies, programs, or procurement systems. Demonstrated experience in researching, advising, or supporting the implementation of GRP or inclusive procurement policies is also required.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Vietnamese is mandatory for this position. This linguistic proficiency is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the preparation of reports and documentation in both languages.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is set to commence on September 1, 2026, and will conclude on February 28, 202

• This is a home-based consultancy, with the possibility of attending meetings and consultations at the UN Women Office in Vietnam as needed. The consultant will be expected to participate in regular update meetings with the Programme Manager and Country Representative, and may also need to travel for official missions to selected provinces and cities. All travel arrangements will be managed by UN Women in accordance with their Consultant Contract Policy and Duty Travel Policy. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, aligning with UN Women's core values and competencies.