Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women Uzbekistan is mandated to lead, promote and coordinate efforts to advance the full realization of women’s empowerment and rights in Uzbekistan under the leadership of Europe and Central Asia Regional Office. Based in Tashkent, UN Women Uzbekistan focuses on five key pillars which include women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, gender responsive budgeting, strengthening gender data and statistics and strengthening inter-agency coordination on gender mainstreaming. To advance gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) in the country UN Women Uzbekistan aims to strengthen the UN response in addressing priorities for gender equality and women empowerment through the development and implementation of innovative approaches and providing support to governments and civil society organizations.

In line with the UN Women Global Strategic Plan (2022-2025) and building on its previous efforts, UN Women Uzbekistan is currently in the process of developing its first Strategic Note (SN) which will cover the five-year period 2025-2030. The SN will be fully aligned with both the forthcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026-2030 and Uzbekistan’s global and regional normative commitments, including Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the Beijing Platform for Development, and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women. The SN will be informed by Uzbekistan Country Gender Equality Profile (CGEP), UPR, CEDAW recommendations, the results of the UNSDCF 2020-2025, the UN Common Country Analysis, the National Development Plan and the Strategy for Achieving Gender Equality in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The SN will also set out how UN Women Uzbekistan will increase results for gender equality and women’s empowerment through strategic partnerships such as with the UN Agencies, and national stakeholders including the Government of Uzbekistan, civil society, IFIs, think tanks, youth and final beneficiaries of the programmes.

Under the overall guidance and direct reporting to the Country Programme Manager of UN Women Uzbekistan, the International Consultant will be responsible for developing a Theory of Change (ToC) and results framework (DRF – OEEF) and providing a first working draft with required annexes of the UN Women Uzbekistan’s SN narrative in line with UN Women’s corporate guidance, working closely with the Country Programme Manager for Uzbekistan. The consultant will be supported by the Administrative Assistant, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

The new SN 2025-2030 will determine UN Women Uzbekistan’s strategy for the next five years and define programme development and strategic partnerships. The main purpose will be to clearly identify and articulate key strategic priorities and programmatic approaches within the Uzbek context.

The main objectives of this assignment are therefore as follows:

1. To develop the Theory of Change, including overarching Results Chain and proposed programmes (including initial baselines, milestones, and targets).
2. To develop the Strategic Note RRF & Narrative; including Lessons Learned, Proposed Programmes, UN System Coordination, Strategic Partnerships, Programme Sustainability (including Exit Strategy), Programme Management & Operations, Monitoring and Evaluation, Research and Knowledge Management, Resource Mobilization Strategy, Communication & Advocacy, Key Risk and Mitigation Strategy. To develop the DRF and OEEF for the Strategic Note with all required Annexes.

Deliverables

Final output will be a strategic, analytical and operative document. The following deliverables will be produced:

1. Theory of Change Development
2. Strategic Note Narrative development
3. DRF & OEEF development

Methodology:

The Consultant will work closely with the Country Programme Manager of Uzbekistan to get appropriate feedback throughout the process and as per each deliverable. The Consultant should be prepared to undertake mission travel outside of Tashkent as appropriate/if needed and as allowed by UNDSS.

The Methodology is as follows:

1. Based on the TORs and initial literature review, prepare and submit an inception report including methodology and workplan (3 days);

2. Identify and review data and evidence to develop and submit draft context analysis (5 days);

3. Support facilitation of stakeholder consultations (15 days);

4. Implement Inception Report and Workplan with all deliverables (26 days);

5. Facilitate stakeholders’ validation of the draft Strategic Note (3 days)

6. Incorporate all peer review/validation comments and submit the final Strategic Note (2 days).

The Consultant will be paid upon achieving the above-mentioned deliverables and receiving UN Women’s approval for the satisfactory completion of each assigned task.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies:

https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Ability to handle a large volume of work possibly under time constraints.
• Builds strong relationships with colleagues and audience, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong relationships with partners and targeted groups.
• Demonstrate exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and right deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, and ability to work in multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environments.
• Excellent communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, development or a related field is required. A PhD is an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated extensive experience working on social research, gender analysis and policy studies on gender equality, women’s rights, peace and security.
• Good knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, tools, assessments, data collection and analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of the overall context in Uzbekistan, particularly relating to women’s issues, with expertise in gender analysis, national gender policies, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing similar projects on research and gender equality and/or women’s empowerment

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Uzbek and, or Russian is an asset.

How to Apply

• Personal P11

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About%20Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)