National Consultant - Follow-up Assessment of Gender-Responsive Budgeting

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. It merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender issues. UN Women operates globally, 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. The organization works in numerous countries, including Ethiopia, where it collaborates with the government to advance gender equality through various frameworks and commitments, including CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will undertake a targeted follow-up assessment of Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) and Budget Tagging initiatives at federal and selected regional levels in Ethiopia. This consultancy aims to build on previous assessments and recent work on GRB by reviewing progress, documenting implementation experiences, identifying good practices and challenges, analyzing the federal and regional budgets from a gender perspective, and establishing baseline data for measuring budget allocations to gender-specific initiatives and programs. The consultant will work closely with UN Women and UNFPA, as well as relevant government partners, to ensure that the assessment is comprehensive and reflective of the current state of gender-responsive budgeting in Ethiopia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including: preparing an inception report that outlines the understanding of the assignment, methodology, work plan, stakeholder mapping, and data requirements; conducting a desk review of previous GRB assessments and related documents; performing targeted key informant interviews with federal and regional stakeholders to identify progress and challenges; analyzing the 2026/2027 Federal Budget from a gender perspective; estimating baseline values for project indicators; identifying good practices and bottlenecks; and preparing a draft assessment report that presents findings, analysis, and recommendations. The consultant will also present preliminary findings in a validation session and finalize the assessment report along with other deliverables such as an executive summary and a budget tracking template.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Economics, Public Finance, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in areas related to gender equality, public finance, and institutional assessment. Experience in gender-responsive budgeting and public financial management is essential, along with proven skills in conducting assessments and analyzing budget documents.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as Gender Studies, Economics, Public Finance, or Development Studies is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted with additional qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender-responsive budgeting and public finance.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in gender equality, public finance, and institutional assessment. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in gender-responsive budgeting and planning, as well as proven skills in conducting assessments and evaluations. Experience working with government institutions at federal or regional levels is necessary, along with the ability to analyze budget documents and develop monitoring frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Amharic is required for this position. Knowledge of other Ethiopian languages relevant to the target regions is considered an asset, as is knowledge of any other UN official language. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and stakeholder engagement throughout the consultancy.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is office-based and will involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government partners. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s values and competencies, which emphasize integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The consultancy will also require a commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women, aligning with UN Women’s mission. The specific contract duration and payment schedule will be outlined in the deliverables section, with payments linked to the completion of specific tasks.