International Consultant for Strategic Note Development

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment globally. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing on eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving equality between genders. UN Women operates in multiple countries, working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring that gender equality is integrated into all aspects 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 equality in its workforce.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the UN Women Country Office in Kazakhstan by providing technical assistance in developing the Strategic Note (SN) for the period of 2026-202

• This position requires a comprehensive understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment (GEWE) issues within the national context of Kazakhstan. The consultant will conduct a thorough national context analysis, facilitate stakeholder consultations, and ensure that the new SN aligns with national strategies and development priorities. The consultant's work will be instrumental in setting priorities based on extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including civil society, women's rights organizations, and government partners. The goal is to create a strategic framework that effectively addresses the challenges and opportunities related to gender equality in Kazakhstan, ensuring that the SN is informed by data and analysis from various sources, including public surveys and evaluations of previous programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of the current UN Women programme in Kazakhstan, providing practical recommendations for improved cohesion and coherence in achieving results.
• Facilitate consultations with key stakeholders to validate findings from the desk review and gather additional insights on GEWE gaps, challenges, and opportunities.
• Support the development of the Strategic Note 2026-2029, ensuring alignment with the UN Cooperation Framework for Kazakhstan and UN Women’s Global Strategic Plan.
• Analyze national context and political developments to ensure the SN reflects current trends and aligns with national strategies, including the Concept of Family and Gender Policy.
• Summarize lessons learned from recent evaluations and reviews of UN Women’s programmes in Kazakhstan.
• Prepare and present reports and documentation as required, ensuring all findings and recommendations are clearly communicated to stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in social sciences, gender studies, public administration, international relations, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in gender mainstreaming within development programmes/projects at both national and international levels.
• Previous experience in developing Strategic Notes is considered an asset.
• Proven track record of working in Kazakhstan and/or the Central Asian region, particularly with UN agencies, government counterparts, and civil society organizations is mandatory.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, gender studies, public administration, international relations, international law, or public policy. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of gender issues and the socio-political landscape in Kazakhstan, enabling the consultant to effectively contribute to the development of the Strategic Note.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in gender mainstreaming within development programmes and projects. Candidates should have a proven history of working on similar initiatives at both national and international levels, with specific experience in Kazakhstan or the Central Asian region being highly desirable. Familiarity with UN processes and frameworks will be beneficial for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within UN Women. Knowledge of Russian is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this consultancy is expected to commence in April 2025 and conclude in October 2025, contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required services. While the consultant will primarily work remotely, there may be a need for travel to Kazakhstan to engage with stakeholders and fulfill specific tasks related to the development of the Strategic Note. The position is designed to be flexible, accommodating the consultant's schedule while ensuring that all deliverables are met within the specified timeframe.