International Consultant - Mapping Official Government Mechanism

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds upon the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality: the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI), the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). The organization 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. UN Women leads and coordinates the UN system's efforts to translate commitments on gender equality into action, providing coherent support to Member States while building effective partnerships with civil society. The organization is active in multiple countries across various regions, including Europe and Central Asia, where it engages in initiatives to support women's rights and gender equality in the context of EU accession processes.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive regional mapping and assessment of national consultation, coordination, and monitoring mechanisms related to EU accession, focusing on the integration of gender equality and women's participation within these frameworks. The consultant will work under the supervision of the UN Women ECARO Gender and Good Governance Specialist and in close coordination with participating UN Women Country Offices. The consultant's primary responsibilities will include developing a methodology for mapping official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process, conducting the mapping across ten participating countries and territories, preparing a detailed mapping report, and validating the findings through an online meeting with UN Women representatives. The consultant is expected to provide a factual report that outlines the legal or institutional basis, responsible institutions, mandates, organizational structures, and participation of civil society organizations, particularly women's rights organizations, in the identified mechanisms. This role is crucial in strengthening the engagement of women's rights organizations in EU accession processes and ensuring that women's perspectives are systematically included in reform priorities and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop the methodology and data collection template for mapping official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process across the participating countries and territories. This includes agreeing on the methodology and mapping template with UN Women prior to commencing the assignment.
• Conduct a mapping of official government mechanisms established for civil society engagement in the EU accession process across the ten participating countries and territories. The mapping should include official government mechanisms for civil society participation, sectoral and negotiation working groups, public participation mechanisms related to EU accession reforms, monitoring mechanisms established under the Reform and Growth Facility, and other official mechanisms supporting civil society participation in EU accession-related policy development, implementation, and monitoring. Information will be collected through desk reviews and consultations with relevant ministries and government institutions.
• Prepare a regional mapping report containing findings for each participating country and territory, detailing the legal or institutional basis, responsible institutions, mandate and purpose, organizational structure, composition and membership, participation of civil society organizations, and frequency of meetings.
• Organize and facilitate an online validation meeting with representatives of participating UN Women Country Offices to present the draft findings and verify the accuracy and completeness of the information collected. Revise the report based on feedback received during the validation process and submit the final mapping report to UN Women ECARO.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, European Studies, Sociology, Public Administration, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or another relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of gender equality, women's rights, governance, and democratic development, particularly in the context of EU integration. Additionally, candidates should have proven experience working with civil society organizations, including women's rights organizations, and possess strong analytical and technical report writing skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Law, Political Science, European Studies, Sociology, Public Administration, International Relations, Gender Studies, or Social Sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender equality and women's empowerment in the context of public policy and governance processes.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to gender equality, women's rights, governance, democratic development, or EU integration. Experience working in one or more countries of the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and/or the Eastern Partnership region is essential, along with a strong understanding of the regional political and institutional context. Demonstrated experience in working with civil society organizations, particularly women's rights organizations, is crucial. Candidates should also have experience conducting desk research, mapping exercises, and preparing high-quality analytical or technical reports for international organizations, governments, or development partners.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and oral, is required for this position. Knowledge of one or more languages spoken in the EU enlargement region is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The consultant will be expected to adhere to UN Women's core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The position emphasizes the importance of gender sensitivity and accountability, as well as effective communication and stakeholder engagement. The consultant will be required to undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from individuals regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or ability. All employment decisions will be based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational need.