UN Women: International Consultant, Home-based, Normative Frameworks Consultant (EVAWG, TF VAW)

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 Europe and Central Regional Office covers 12 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Serbia, Republic of Moldova Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Ukraine). UN Women ECARO works on analysis, research, and knowledge management that provides the evidence base to UN Women country and regional office on gender equality and women's empowerment. Furthermore, UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECARO) develops and manages regional level programmes and provides policy and technical support to regional and country offices on ending violence against women (EVAW) and women’s economic empowerment (WEE).

The EU-funded regional programme “EU4 Gender Equality – Women’s Economic Empowerment and Ending Violence Against Women in the Western Balkans” jointly implemented by UNDP and UN Women (February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2028) aims to enhance women's economic empowerment and provide support for women and girls who have experienced violence. The programme focuses on two main outcomes. The first outcome is focused on increasing women's participation in managerial and leadership roles and encouraging more women and girls to enter STEM, green, and digital fields by building capacity, strengthening networks to support women's entrepreneurship, and addressing gender disparities in education and employment. The second outcome focuses on ensuring that women and girls who have experienced violence, including online and technology-facilitated violence, have access to multi-sectoral, inclusive, and survivor-centred services by improving the capacity of key stakeholders to provide coordinated support and equipping women and girls with the knowledge and tools to recognize and report violence. Overall, the programme seeks to create an environment with more economic opportunities for women and advocate for gender-sensitive policies and services for survivors of violence.

Current policies and legislation in the region are inadequate for addressing technology-facilitated violence against women (TF VAW). With the exception of North Macedonia, most criminal codes and specialized laws do not directly address TF VAW, and when they do, they lack gender sensitivity. Legal provisions on stalking and threats are often inconsistently applied to TF VAW cases. Urgent measures are needed to address these gaps, as the current legal frameworks, policies, and evidence-gathering mechanisms have fallen behind technological advancements, creating substantial knowledge gaps. 

Action is imperative to revamp legal structures, fill these knowledge gaps, and empower civil society organizations in the Western Balkans to effectively understand and combat TF VAW. This involves expanding services for survivors and advocating for more robust legislative frameworks. The Programme will concentrate efforts on enhancing legislation in the region, particularly in areas where criminal codes and specialized laws inadequately address VAW. It will work towards a more comprehensive approach to addressing digital crimes by explicitly including the technological dimensions of violence in laws and policies targeting VAW.

Moreover, the Programme will strengthen the application of existing legal provisions related to stalking and threats, making them directly applicable to cases of TF VAW. It will also address the inconsistent and often ineffective enforcement observed in offline violence cases. By focusing on these areas, the Programme aims to create a more effective and responsive legal environment that can better protect women and girls from technology-facilitated violence.

To achieve these goals, UN Women is looking for the services of an international consultant, expert on normative frameworks on EVAWG and TF VAW, to analyze the normative framework on EVAWG and specifically TF VAW across the region, focusing on suggesting revisions and developing new provisions to address technology-facilitated violence against women (TF VAW) specific for each IPA beneficiary. Additionally, the consultant will advise selected CSOs selected to implement Activity 2.1.2, on undertaking policy advocacy and providing technical assistance for the introduction and implementation of specific gender-sensitive normative frameworks and services in the area of EVAWG across the region and guide them on how to advocate for policy changes in the 6 Western Balkans IPA beneficiaries.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Regional Programme Manager based in Belgrade, and in close collaboration with the UN Women team. The consultant will be supported by the Programme Management Unit, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues. The consultant is expected to closely collaborate with the selected CSOs to ensure effective implementation and advocacy efforts.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Under direct supervision of the Regional Programme Manager, and in close collaboration with the UN Women team, the consulta will be responsible for:

1. Conducting an in-depth analysis of existing normative frameworks on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) and Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women (TF VAW) across the Western Balkans region.
2. Suggest revisions and develop new legal provisions to address TF VAW specific to each IPA beneficiary.
3. Provide technical assistance and policy advocacy guidance to selected Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the introduction and implementation of gender-sensitive normative frameworks and services.
4. Work closely with the Regional Programme Manager, UN Women team, and selected CSOs to ensure effective implementation and advocacy efforts.
5. Preparing comprehensive reports on findings, recommendations, and progress of activities.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to submit the following deliverables within the indicative timeframe:

Deliverable Expected completion time (due day)  A detailed Workplan with a timeline, outline, and methodology to conduct the tasks outlined in this TOR, aligned with the workplan of the engaged CSO. Within the first 2 weeks of assignment Draft analysis with recommendations for UN comments, including sections for each specific IPA beneficiary and a general regional overview. By December 10, 2025 Final Analysis and Recommendations, including sections for each specific IPA beneficiary and a general regional overview. By January 20, 2026 Plan on technical assistance and policy advocacy guidance to selected Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for the introduction and implementation of gender-sensitive normative frameworks and services. By January 20, 2026 Brief report on technical assistance and policy advocacy guidance, not exceeding 5 pages. By April 15, 2026

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy with the expectation that the consultant will be available to work in the CET time zone. If any travel is required during the contract duration, these will be covered by UN Women in line with UN Women Travel Policy.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

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 Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

1. Technical Credibility in EVAWG and TF VAW:

• Demonstrates deep knowledge and expertise in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) and Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women (TF VAW).
• Applies technical skills to analyze, develop, and implement normative frameworks effectively.

1. Policy Advocacy and Change Management:

• Skilled in advocating for policy changes and managing the implementation of new frameworks.
• Capable of guiding CSOs through the process of policy advocacy and change management.

1. Research and Analytical Skills:

• Proficient in conducting comprehensive research and analysis of legal frameworks and policies.
• Able to identify gaps and propose evidence-based recommendations.

1. Collaboration and Partnership Building:

• Strong ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, including UN Women team, CSOs, and regional partners.
• Builds and maintains effective partnerships to enhance the impact of interventions.

1. Communication and Reporting:

• Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills. Communicates sensitively, effectively, and creatively across different constituencies.
• Capable of conveying complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.

1. Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Shares knowledge and experience, seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UN Women.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan, and applies newly acquired skills.

1. Leadership and Self-Management:

• Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remains calm, in control, and good-humored even under pressure.
• Proven networking skills and ability to generate interest in UN Women’s mandate.
• Identifies opportunities and builds strong partnerships with clients and partners.

Education And Certification:

• MA degree in social sciences, law, humanities, political science, or a related field[PK1] [NO2] . PhD in relevant field desirable but not required.
• BA degree in social sciences, law, humanities, political science, or related field is acceptable in lieu of a master’s degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

• At least 7 years of demonstrated work experience in gender mainstreaming, policy analysis in the fields of gender equality, political science, social sciences, or related fields.
• Demonstrated work experience with developing or implementing international and national legal, policy frameworks regarding gender equality[PK3] [NO4] .

Nota bene: Applicants are required to submit a sample of relevant work, specifically an analysis of legal or policy frameworks addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG), conducted within the last five years.

• Demonstrated work experience with gender institutional mechanisms, national institutions, civil society and the international organizations on implementation of international and national normative commitments.
• Experience working on gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Western Balkan region.
• Previous experience working/consulting for international and/or regional projects/programmes.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required
• Excellent English communication and writing skills; (Samples of previous work will be required.)
• Knowledge of any of the Western Balkan languages is an asset.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity And Inclusion:

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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.