National Consultant on Women’s Economic Empowerment

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. The organization merges the efforts of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. 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 is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives. UN Women is currently implementing a regional project on Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, which aims to economically empower women, particularly the poor and socially excluded, in Azerbaijan and other South Caucasus countries.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant on Women’s Economic Empowerment will play a crucial role in promoting the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) among private sector partners and business associations in Azerbaijan. This position involves engaging with various stakeholders to raise awareness and support the implementation of gender-responsive corporate policies and practices. The consultant will be responsible for organizing meetings, liaising with the WEPs Secretariat, and documenting success stories related to WEPs signatory companies. The overarching goal is to ensure that women, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, can access economic opportunities and participate in decision-making processes. The consultant will work closely with the UN Women team in Azerbaijan and Georgia, reporting to the Programme Specialist, and will be expected to deliver measurable outcomes that contribute to the project's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promote Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) among private sector partners and business associations in Azerbaijan through multilateral and bilateral meetings.
• Support the signing of the UN Women/UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) by new private enterprises in Azerbaijan, focusing on implementing gender-responsive corporate policies and practices.
• Create, update, and maintain coordination work around WEPs with the engagement of WEPs focal points from private sector companies.
• Liaise with the WEPs Secretariat regarding Azerbaijani members as relevant.
• Write success stories in news format about WEPs signatory companies.
• Undertake other tasks to promote WEPs as requested by UN Women in Azerbaijan.
• Conduct targeted outreach through bilateral and multilateral meetings with private companies, chambers of commerce, business associations, and private sector platforms to promote WEPs and support onboarding of new signatories.
• Map potential WEPs signatories, including within ICT and innovation sectors.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in business, finance, gender, social sciences, economics, or related fields. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must have at least 2 years of relevant experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly in the private sector. Experience in coordinating networks and proficiency in office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is also required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as business, finance, gender, social sciences, or economics. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and economic empowerment.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly within the private sector. Experience in coordinating networks and working with private sector partners is highly desirable. Familiarity with web-based management systems and office software is also required to effectively manage tasks and communications.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Azerbaijani is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and facilitate communication.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with the consultant expected to provide services in Baku, Azerbaijan. The contract duration aligns with the project timeline, which runs from September 2024 to August 202

• The consultant will be compensated based on the completion of deliverables, with specific payment schedules outlined for each task. UN Women emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all recruitment processes are conducted fairly and without discrimination.