UNWOMEN: Research Specialist – Women, Peace and Security, Home-Based, International Consultant

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. 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. 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. 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 four key programme priorities: (1) Gender in Humanitarian Action, (2) Ending Violence Against Women, (3) Women’s Economic Empowerment, and (4) Women, Peace and Security.  Under the Women, Peace and Security portfolio, UN Women focuses on supporting women-led/gender focused civil society organizations to promote social cohesion and produce research analysis and reports to build evidence and understanding around the gender equality dynamics in Afghanistan.  Under the guidance of the Programme Manager-WPS, the consultant (Researcher) will provide strategic advice and technical expertise to shape research priorities and advance key knowledge products within the WPS portfolio. The consultant will also ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of research initiatives that inform policy and programming on women’s rights and gender equality in Afghanistan. The consultant is expected to collaborate closely with the WPS programme team as well as external partners such as technical consultants, other researchers, and service providers, as applicable.  

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Manager – WPS, the consultant will contribute to three overarching tasks. 

 Task I: Produce high-quality thematic reports and reflection papers on key women’s rights issues 

The consultant will lead the development of up to 10 thematic reports or reflection papers on critical women’s rights issues in Afghanistan, based on priorities identified by the Women, Peace and Security team. Tasks will include conducting literature reviews, analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data, identifying evidence gaps, and drafting written outputs tailored to various audiences. The consultant will also support validation processes, present findings to internal and external stakeholders, and collaborate with communications staff to finalize layout and formatting in accordance with UN Women standards.The consultant may also be requested to advise on the design and direction research initiatives related to WPS, gender equality, and women’s rights in Afghanistan. This includes identifying emerging themes, proposing relevant research angles, recommending methodologies, and reviewing existing data sources to guide future analysis.

Task II: Develop tailored dissemination strategies for thematic research outputs

 The consultant will design and implement dissemination and risk management plans for a series of research reports, as requested by the WPS team. This will involve identifying key policy entry points, drafting engagement strategies, and tailoring messaging and materials for a range of stakeholders. The consultant will analyze context-specific risks related to the dissemination of sensitive findings and advise on mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and effectiveness of communication efforts. They will also contribute to the development of summaries, presentations, and other dissemination products in line with UN Women’s guidelines.

Task III: Strengthen ACO staff capacity in research, activity design, and report writing

The consultant will lead the design and delivery of targeted capacity-building activities to enhance ACO staff skills in research, activity design, and report writing. This includes conducting a needs assessment, developing a training concept note, facilitating up to five interactive sessions, and providing ongoing coaching. The consultant will also produce a resource pack for sustained learning and su