[Hiring] International Consultant @UNDP

Role Description

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a regional mapping and assessment of:

• National consultation, coordination and monitoring mechanisms related to EU accession;
• The extent to which gender equality and women’s participation are integrated into these mechanisms.

Under the overall supervision of UN Women ECARO Gender and Good Governance Specialist and in close coordination with participating UN Women Country Offices, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Task 1. Develop the methodology:
  • Develop the methodology and data collection template for mapping official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process across the participating countries and territories.
  • Agree the methodology and mapping template with UN Women prior to commencing the assignment.
• Task 2. Map official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process:
  • Conduct a mapping of official government mechanisms established for civil society engagement in the EU accession process across the 10 participating countries and territories.
  • The mapping shall include, where applicable:
    • Official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process;
    • Sectoral and negotiation working groups;
    • Public participation mechanisms related to EU accession reforms;
    • Monitoring mechanisms established under the Reform and Growth Facility, including monitoring committees or equivalent structures;
    • Other official mechanisms supporting civil society participation in EU accession-related policy development, implementation and monitoring.
  • Information shall be collected through a desk review and consultations with the relevant ministries, government institutions responsible for EU integration and other competent public authorities, in close cooperation and coordination with UN Women Country Offices.
• Task 3. Prepare the mapping report:
  • Prepare a regional mapping report containing findings for each participating country and territory.
  • For each identified mechanism, the report should include, as applicable:
    • Legal or institutional basis;
    • Responsible institution(s);
    • Mandate and purpose;
    • Organisational structure;
    • Composition and membership;
    • Participation of civil society organisations;
    • Participation of women's rights organisations (WROs) and women-led organisations (WLOs) including organisations representing young women, women peacebuilders and women experiencing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, where information is available;
    • Frequency of meetings and working modalities.
  • The report should present factual information only and should not include analysis, conclusions or recommendations.
• Task 4. Validate the findings:
  • Organise and facilitate an online validation meeting with representatives of participating UN Women Country Offices to present the draft findings and verify the accuracy and completeness of the information collected.
  • Revise the report, as necessary, based on the comments received during the validation process and submit the final mapping report to UN Women ECARO.

Deliverable

• 1. Methodology and mapping template:
  • Methodology, workplan and standardized data collection template for mapping official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process across the participating countries and territories.
  • Indicative Timeline: 15 September 2026
• 2. Draft mapping report:
  • Draft regional mapping report covering the 10 participating countries and territories, presenting factual information on official government mechanisms for civil society participation in the EU accession process, including Reform and Growth Facility monitoring mechanisms (or equivalent mechanisms), where applicable.
  • Indicative Timeline: 15 October 2026
• 3. Online validation meeting:
  • Organisation and facilitation of one online validation meeting with representatives of UN Women ECARO and participating Country Offices to present the draft findings and validate the information collected.
  • Indicative Timeline: 20 October 2026
• 4. Final mapping report:
  • Final regional mapping report incorporating comments received from UN Women following the validation meeting.
  • Indicative Timeline: 25 October 2026

Qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Law, Political Science, European Studies, Sociology, Public Administration, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or another relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality, women's rights, governance, democratic development, EU integration, or related fields.
• Proven professional experience working in one or more countries of the Western Balkans, Türkiye and/or the Eastern Partnership region, with strong understanding of the regional political and institutional context.
• Demonstrated experience working with civil society organisations, including women's rights organisations and women-led organisations.
• Experience conducting desk research, mapping exercises and preparing high-quality analytical or technical reports for international organisations, governments or development partners.
• Good understanding of participatory governance mechanisms and institutional arrangements for civil society engagement in public policymaking is an asset.
• Previous experience working with UN agencies, the European Union or other international organisations is an asset.

Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required.
• Knowledge of one or more languages spoken in the EU enlargement region is an asset.

Benefits

• 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.