Senior Experts on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Local Economic Development

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the United Nations reform agenda to enhance gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. 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, promoting mutual respect, and ensuring that all employment decisions are based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational needs. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination.

Job Overview:
The position of Senior Experts on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Local Economic Development is crucial for the implementation of the project 'Empower Women for Rural Development in Northern Albania.' This project aims to improve the empowerment of women in Northern Albania and promote their role as active contributors to sustainable rural development. The Senior Experts will provide expert guidance and expertise in designing and implementing activities related to women's economic empowerment (WEE) with a focus on rural economy and location-specific value chains. They will work in collaboration with local and international consultants and will be responsible for enhancing income and employment opportunities for rural communities and women in Northern rural areas. The role involves analyzing value chains using a gender-sensitive approach, promoting good agricultural practices, and building the capacity of municipal staff to implement gender-sensitive value chain methodologies. The Senior Experts will also support women entrepreneurs by strengthening their businesses through mentoring and marketing training, ultimately enabling them to leverage value chains that improve their economic stability and food security.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Experts will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including providing technical advice and expert guidance in designing and implementing interventions focused on women's economic empowerment, particularly for rural women. They will contribute to the implementation and mentoring of targeted interventions informed by Gender Sensitive Value Chains Analysis (GSVCA) findings. Their duties will include conducting missions and consultations with partners and stakeholders, strengthening the capacity of local actors on gender-sensitive value chain approaches, facilitating engagement with private sector partners, and advising on activities that promote women's economic empowerment. Additionally, they will provide technical guidance and capacity-building activities for women farmers, offer expert advice to women entrepreneurs, and contribute to the development of analysis, inputs, briefs, and communication materials for UN Women. The Senior Experts will also maintain organized records of their work and provide periodic reports detailing their assignments and challenges encountered.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in economics, business administration, marketing, rural development, food and agriculture, 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. The position requires at least 15 years of progressively responsible work experience in local economic development and economic empowerment interventions, with proven experience in leading gender-sensitive value chain development and mentoring women entrepreneurs. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in providing technical advice and support for women's economic empowerment interventions, particularly for rural women, and have experience engaging with national and local stakeholders, women's groups, and the private sector. Familiarity with the UN system or international organizations is considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in relevant fields such as economics, business administration, marketing, rural development, food and agriculture, or related disciplines. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of women's economic empowerment and local economic development.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible work experience in local economic development and economic empowerment interventions, particularly in rural development contexts. They should have a proven track record in leading gender-sensitive value chain development, designing targeted interventions, and mentoring women entrepreneurs to ensure their inclusion in economic development initiatives. Experience in engaging with national and local stakeholders, women's groups, cooperatives, and the private sector is crucial, with a strong emphasis on capacity development and networking to facilitate sustainable economic growth. Previous experience or familiarity with the UN system or international organizations is considered an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Albanian is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries, as well as for the preparation of reports and documentation in both languages.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, but it will require missions to the target municipalities of the project, which include Shkodër, Bulqizë, Malësi e Madhe, and Dibër. The position emphasizes the importance of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity, aligning with UN Women's core values. The Senior Experts will be expected to maintain organized records of their work, provide periodic reports, and adhere to UN Women's policies and procedures, including undergoing rigorous reference and background checks. The role is designed to be flexible, allowing for collaboration with other consultants and stakeholders while focusing on achieving the project's objectives.