UN Women: Human Rights and Gender Analyst, Geneva, Switzerland, Consultancy

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.

The UN Women Geneva Office works to expand, deepen and broaden UN Women’s strategic engagement in Geneva-based intergovernmental and multilateral processes related to human rights, humanitarian affairs, and others. The Geneva Office builds and nurtures strategic relationships and alliances with Geneva-based stakeholders that are essential for advancing and successfully achieving the mission of UN Women. It works with a wide range and number of key humanitarian and development partners, including delegates appointed to the UN, International NGOs, UN Geneva-based agencies, as well as the private sector, foundations, academia, think tanks, and the media to support them to effectively contribute to the full realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

The UN Women Human Rights and Non-Discrimination Section based in Geneva works closely with Member States and other key stakeholders such as treaty bodies and Special Procedures mandate holders to mainstream gender in intergovernmental processes and high-level discussions, in the Human Rights Council as well as in discussions related to trade, labor, health, and climate. The section aims to build stronger relationships with Geneva-based UN agencies as well as with other International Organizations, Member States, civil society organizations and the private sector, to mainstream gender across the UN system and beyond. Additionally, this team leads relevant UN-wide communications campaigns and provides support in the dissemination of UN Women’s latest research and evidence base. The International Consultant will support the Human Rights and Non-Discrimination Section’s objectives by providing targeted technical analysis, inputs and insight, and supporting stakeholder engagement and consultations, with regards to advancing gender equality in various Geneva-based intergovernmental processes.

The International Consultant will be reporting to the Chief of the Human Rights and Non-Discrimination Section and the Deputy Director of the UN Women Geneva Office and will be supported by the Human Rights and Development Specialist, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

1.Intergovernmental support

• Provide high-quality technical inputs to strengthen the integration of gender equality and women’s rights in Geneva-based intergovernmental processes, including the Human Rights Council (HRC), World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and other relevant fora.
• Deliver expert analysis and recommendations during negotiations, dialogues, and meetings by preparing briefing notes, talking points, and summaries that reflect a gender-responsive perspective on human rights issues.
• Monitor, analyze, and document developments in key intergovernmental meetings across sectors such as health, labor, and technology, and prepare gender-focused policy analysis and written reports that include strategic recommendations and follow-up actions for UN Women.
• Support the drafting of outcome documents, statements, and submissions led or contributed to by UN Women, ensuring alignment with the organization’s mandate and priorities.

2.Coordination and technical support

• Provide coordination and technical support for UN Women’s human rights engagement in Geneva, with a specific focus on supporting the Secretariat of the President of the Human Rights Council’s Advisory Board on Gender Equality.
• Support the planning and implementation of the Advisory Board’s work plan, including by preparing agendas, synthesizing discussions into actionable meeting summaries, and tracking progress toward deliverables.
• Develop targeted inputs to strategic and operational documents such as workplans, policy strategies, and programmatic reports, ensuring gender-responsive analysis and alignment with international human rights standards.
• Support the identification and development of initiatives and strategic entry points in new and emerging areas of concern, such as digital rights, the care economy, climate justice, and the intersection of gender and technology.
• Facilitate and contribute to the organization of high-level briefings, workshops, and capacity-building events tailored to diverse audiences, including UN Member States, UN system partners, civil society organizations, and academia.
• Conduct focused background research and comparative analysis on key thematic areas relevant to the Human Rights and Non-Discrimination Section’s portfolio, and synthesize findings into policy briefs, issue papers, or talking points as required.
• Produce well-structured, concise, and targeted written outputs such as analytical briefs, background papers, technical memos, and meeting reports that support advocacy, knowledge dissemination, and inter-agency coordination efforts.

3.Deliverables

• Development of a gender-responsive glossary of language.
• Conduct a comprehensive mapping of data, normative references, and commitments relevant to human rights and gender equality.
• Tailored training modules and workshops for gender equality.
• Technical inputs to resolutions of intergovernmental bodies.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

UN Women Geneva, Switzerland office-based. Travel if and when required.

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:

• Good knowledge of intergovernmental processes and mechanisms related to human rights and gender equality.
• Technical expertise in international human rights law, gender equality and women´s empowerment.
• Good technical understanding of gender-related issues in the context of intergovernmental processes, particularly in the field of human rights, health, labor, and technology.
• Strong research, analytical and writing skills.
• Familiarity with the United Nations system and the mandates of relevant agencies, including those relating to gender equality, human rights, health, labor, and technology.
• Ability to maintain diplomacy, tact and strict confidentiality with internal and external partners and clients.
• Ability to innovate and propose solutions and new approaches.

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender/Women’s Studies, Human Rights, Political or Social Science, Economics, International Development Studies, Technology, Health, is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in technical support, policy analysis and advocacy, or stakeholder engagement related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is required.
• Experience coordinating and liaising with Member States and UN agencies is desirable.
• Excellent analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of French or any other UN official language 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.

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