Family Law and Legal Reform Expert (National Consultant)

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to 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, merging the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender equality. 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. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UN Women collaborates with various partners, including UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA, to implement initiatives like the Gender Equality Accelerator Joint Programme, which focuses on eliminating violence against women, empowering women economically, and advancing women's leadership in governance. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to strict policies against discrimination and misconduct.

Job Overview:
The Family Law and Legal Reform Expert will play a crucial role in strengthening the legal recognition and protection of single mothers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This position involves conducting a gender-responsive legal review of applicable family laws, identifying gaps in legal and policy frameworks affecting single mothers, and preparing recommendations for legislative amendments. The consultant will facilitate consultations with relevant stakeholders, including public institutions and civil society organizations, to ensure that proposed legal reforms are evidence-based and responsive to the needs of women. The assignment aims to align family legislation with international human rights standards and promote stronger linkages between family law, social protection systems, and the care economy. The consultant will report to the WEE Programme Coordination Specialist and will be supported by the WEE Programme Associate and Assistant throughout the assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive gender-responsive review of family legislation and related legal frameworks affecting single mothers. This includes identifying legal, policy, and implementation gaps, assessing linkages between family law and other relevant areas such as labor rights and social protection, and preparing recommendations for legislative amendments. The consultant will also undertake comparative legal analysis to identify good practices from other jurisdictions, assess the practical implementation of legal rights, and develop targeted recommendations for strengthening institutional and employer-level policies. Additionally, the consultant will facilitate stakeholder consultations, document feedback, and support the finalization of legislative amendments based on stakeholder input.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent in Law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Public Policy, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Applicants should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in legislative drafting, legal analysis, or policy development, with demonstrated experience in family law, human rights law, or gender equality legislation. Experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and integrating gender equality into legislative processes is also required. Previous work with UN agencies or international organizations is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in Law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Public Policy, or a related discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas such as legislative drafting, legal analysis, or policy development. This experience should include demonstrated work in family law, human rights law, or gender equality legislation, with at least two relevant assignments in the last three years. Additionally, candidates should have experience facilitating consultations with various stakeholders, including public institutions and civil society organizations, and integrating gender equality standards into legislative processes.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is required. This is a mandatory qualification for the position.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, with potential travel to Sarajevo and other locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina as required. Any travel will be arranged and covered by UN Women according to their rules and procedures. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, and candidates are expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures, including a zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. The consultant will be expected to provide targeted legal and policy advisory support throughout the assignment, ensuring that all tasks are documented and aligned with international standards.