International Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet need for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the importance of addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and aims to recover lost gains while realizing its goals. UNFPA seeks principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards and are committed to delivering excellence in program results.

Job Overview:
The International Consultant will play a crucial role in strengthening the national statistical systems in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by focusing on the measurement and reporting of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5-related indicators on Gender Equality. The consultant will conduct a thorough review of existing household surveys and census data to generate additional gender data on key priority issues of gender equality in Armenia, Kyrgyz Republic, and Moldova. This consultancy aims to enhance the capacity of national statistical systems to produce new gender indicators and improve the ability of national statistical offices to mainstream gender into their analyses and dissemination of high-quality gender-disaggregated data. Ultimately, this work will enable accurate monitoring and reporting of SDG 5 indicators, which are essential for promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks under the supervision of the Regional Programme Specialist on Population and Development and the UN Women Regional Gender Statistics Specialist. These tasks include:

• Mapping existing household surveys (such as LFS, LSMS, DHS, MICS, GGS) and census data to identify data gaps on SDG5 indicators and other key gender equality issues, assessing the potential for generating additional gender data, including new levels of data disaggregation.
• Developing recommendations for mainstreaming gender into data collection and analysis of selected household surveys and population censuses, aligning with global and regional recommendations and best practices.
• Creating a set of recommendations on key indicators and analytical tables to be produced using selected household survey and census data to generate new data for at least 10 core indicators per data source.
• Preparing training materials and co-facilitating a three-day workshop on mainstreaming gender into census analysis, ensuring alignment with existing recommendations from various UN and non-UN bodies in the relevant field.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree or equivalent in gender studies, population studies, social studies, international relations, or other related fields. Candidates must have at least 10 years of experience in conducting desk reviews and analytical work in gender data and research, results-based monitoring, or related fields, particularly in human rights for international organizations or development agencies. Proven experience in developing toolkits and recommendations on data and/or statistics in areas of gender and social norms, gender equality, and women empowerment is essential. Familiarity with the EECA region is an advantage, along with extensive knowledge of the mandates of UNFPA and UN Women. Excellent drafting/report writing skills, analytical skills, and computer skills are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as gender studies, population studies, social studies, international relations, or other related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender data and its implications for policy and practice.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in conducting desk reviews and analytical work related to gender data and research. This experience should include work with international organizations or development agencies, focusing on results-based monitoring and human rights. Familiarity with the EECA region is considered an advantage, as it demonstrates an understanding of the local context and challenges.

Languages:
A strong command of written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the Russian language is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication and collaboration with stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last from June 2025 to October 2025, with a total of up to 30 working days. The consultant will provide home-based or remote technical support and will communicate with UNFPA EECARO. Key deliverables include an initial mapping outline, a desk review of existing data sources, a report on key results, a comprehensive report with recommendations, and training materials for a workshop. All deliverables are to be submitted electronically in English and must be professionally edited and proofread. The consultant's work will be monitored by the Regional Programme Specialist in Population and Development, and direct supervision will be provided. Travel to the Regional Office in Istanbul and selected country offices may be required, with all travel-related expenses covered separately according to UNFPA Travel Rules. UNFPA promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups.