Background/Context
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, 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.
Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs.
UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has five key program priorities: (1) Integrated Programming and Localization, (2) Women’s movement building through core grant making; 3) Policy and Research; 4) Economic Resilience and Private Sector and 5) Coordination, Access and Humanitarian Response. UN Women Afghanistan operates through its main office in Kabul and five suboffices located in the provinces of Balkh, Bamyan, Herat, Kandahar and Nangarhar.
It is essential that Afghan women and girls can continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan. Per the General Assembly’s 2020 resolution on the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR, A/75/233), accelerating progress on gender equality is a core function of UNCTs. Evidence generated for these standards and procedures showed that GTGs play an important role in Cooperation Framework development, in consensus building on national gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) priorities, and in driving cross-thematic collaboration.
UNCT in Afghanistan endorsed the workplan of the Gender Theme Group and UNCT Capacity Development Plan, which inter alia envisages gender equality training for all personnel, as well as implementing partners. In 2025, DSRG-Development/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG-RC/HC) Integrated Office (“Integrated Office”) developed gender mainstreaming training materials in cooperation with UN Women. These materials were tested and delivered through two gender mainstreaming sessions with UN personnel in Afghanistan, and subsequently further contextualized. To this end, UN Women is recruiting a consultant to support the work of the UNCT and GTG, in delivery of gender mainstreaming trainings to the UN personnel and their implementing partners, on the basis of previously developed tailor-made contextualized materials and delivery of system-wide training.
The consultant will be reporting to the Gender Equality Coordinator (DRSG-D/RC/HC Integrated Office) and designated staff members who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.
The envisaged time frame of consultancy is estimated to be up to maximum 50 working days during the period from August 2026 to July 2027.
In response to significant needs for strengthening capacities on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) in the implementation and delivery of Basic Human Needs (BHN) programmes, the consultant will provide expert guidance and support to variety of stakeholders (inside and outside the UN system), including training and capacity-building activities, as they may relate to:
The trainings will be delivered in person, to maximize the following benefits:
The training approach will combine didactic and interactive methods, with emphasis on active learning.
Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work
1. Strengthening Training of Trainers’ capacities of UN personnel and implementing partners in mainstreaming gender in the BHN
programs.
(Deadlines determined in consultation with Supervisor upon request of deliverables)
2. Strategic advisory on further contextualization of capacity building needs to strengthen gender mainstreaming efforts in delivery
of BHN programs.
(Deadlines determined in consultation with Supervisor upon request of deliverables)
Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel
This consultancy will require intermittent presence in Afghanistan (Kabul and selected provinces) in relation to delivery of inperson
capacity building sessions, in compliance with the do no harm principle, safety protocols and measures recommended by
the United Nations Department for Security Services. As part of this assignment, the consultancy will include work from home as
well as travel to the country (with a maximum of five trips to Afghanistan). Working week in Afghanistan is Sunday-Thursday.
III. 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:
• Substantive knowledge related to conducting gender analyses, policies, and practices, especially in preparing gender analysis,
program planning, and policy advice.
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
• Understanding of Results-Based Management, Indicators and Results Frameworks Across the UN System.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with
attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong communication skills and abilities to use didactic and interactive teaching methods.
• Expertise in research, data analysis, and report writing, and
• Adept at writing reports and presenting findings.
IV. Required Qualifications
Experience:
• At least seven years of practical experience with gender mainstreaming in development/humanitarian programs/projects at national
and international levels, in Afghanistan or a similar country context is required
• Experience in conducting gender evaluations, gender data collection and analysis, including interviews, surveys, and focus groups is
desirable.
• At least 3 years of experience in results-based management, review, and/or evaluation is desirable.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently is desirable.
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.
