Gender and Social Safeguards Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the international environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP was established in 1972 and has since grown to operate in over 100 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. The organization works collaboratively with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to address pressing environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Gender and Social Safeguards Expert will play a crucial role in developing gender-responsive measures, criteria, and indicators for the Revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Implementation Plan and the Updated NDC Investment Plan. This position involves conducting a comprehensive gender analysis, creating a project gender strategy, and ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into all aspects of the NDC processes. The expert will be responsible for engaging with various stakeholders, including women-led organizations and marginalized communities, to ensure their voices are heard and included in the planning and implementation phases. The role requires a strong understanding of gender issues in the context of climate change and development, as well as the ability to produce high-quality reports and documentation that reflect gender mainstreaming outcomes. The expert will also be expected to train project teams and government staff on gender mainstreaming practices, ensuring that gender equality is prioritized throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The expert will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: conducting a detailed gender analysis at the inception phase, developing a project gender strategy aligned with national and international gender policies, providing gender-mainstreaming inputs to the NDC 3.0 review, and designing a sex-disaggregated monitoring and evaluation framework. The expert will also engage with stakeholders to ensure the inclusion of women's organizations and marginalized communities in consultations, contribute to the design of consultation methodologies, and draft gender-responsive sections of the Revised NDC Implementation Plan and Updated NDC Investment Plan. Additionally, the expert will analyze financial flows to identify gender gaps and provide recommendations for improving access to climate finance for women and vulnerable groups. The expert will ensure that all deliverables meet the project's gender targets and that progress is reported accurately, including sex-disaggregated data.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in gender studies, sociology, development studies, or a related field. A minimum of nine years of experience in gender equality and social safeguards within climate or development projects is required. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in policy and investment planning, including the design of gender-responsive measures, criteria, and indicators. Familiarity with international gender frameworks and Liberia's national gender frameworks is essential, as is experience in integrating inputs from women's groups and civil society organizations into technical analyses and planning frameworks. Proven ability to produce actionable gender assessments and to train multi-sectoral teams on gender mainstreaming is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in gender studies, sociology, development studies, or related social sciences is required for this position. This educational background provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to understand and address gender issues in the context of climate change and development projects.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least nine years of relevant experience working on gender equality and social safeguards in climate or development projects. This experience should include a strong track record of mainstreaming gender in policy and investment planning, as well as the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including women's organizations and marginalized communities.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but English is the primary language of communication within the organization and for the project.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the contract is from September 25, 2026, to March 30, 2027, with a total of 45 working days over six months. The position is expected to be full-time, and the consultant will report to Jérôme Malavelle, Global Coordinator of NDC Act & Invest, Global Climate Action Unit, Mitigation Branch. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be aware that the organization does not request information regarding bank accounts.