Exciting Home-Based Research Specialist At UN Women. APPLY NOW! 2024

September 2, 2024

6 minutes read

Exciting Home-Based Research Specialist At UN Women. APPLY NOW! 2024

Job Post: Research Specialist on Gender and Climate Change Consultant

Position Overview

Position: Research Specialist on Gender and Climate Change Consultant
Organization: UN Women, Advertised on behalf of UNDP
Location: Home-based
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Application Deadline: 04-Sep-24 (Midnight New York, USA)
Duration: 4 months (with potential for extension)

Introduction

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the United Nations Charter, works tirelessly to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, promote their empowerment, and achieve gender equality. To address these goals, UN Women undertakes various initiatives and research projects to drive systemic change across the globe. As part of this mission, UN Women is seeking a highly qualified Research Specialist on Gender and Climate Change Consultant. This individual will play a pivotal role in developing a global report on gender equality and climate change, as well as piloting a gender equality and climate policy scorecard that will serve as a critical tool for assessing and advancing gender-responsive climate policies worldwide.

Background and Context

The role of gender in climate change has become increasingly prominent as the interconnected nature of global challenges continues to evolve. Climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls, exacerbating existing inequalities and creating new challenges for gender equality. In response to these challenges, UN Women’s Strategic Plan (2022-2025) emphasizes integrated approaches that tackle the root causes of inequality and drive broader systems change. The upcoming “Progress of the World’s Women” report will focus on gender equality and climate change, using the “Feminist Climate Justice: A Framework for Action” as its conceptual foundation.

The Research and Data Section (R&D) within the Policy, Programme, and Intergovernmental Division (PPID) of UN Women is responsible for leading this initiative. The R&D section has a strong track record of producing flagship publications, including the “Progress of the World’s Women” and “The World Survey on the Role of Women in Development.” This upcoming report will be a critical addition to their portfolio, offering insights into the intersection of gender and climate change and setting a new agenda for gender-responsive climate policies.

Key Responsibilities

The Research Specialist on Gender and Climate Change Consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, which include:

Development of the Global Report:

Outline Creation: The consultant will be responsible for developing an outline for the “Progress of the World’s Women” report. This will involve extensive collaboration with UN Women’s research and data section, as well as external experts in gender and climate change. The consultant will review the “Feminist Climate Justice: A Framework for Action” paper and use it to guide the development of the report’s structure. This outline will include initial chapter summaries, identifying key policy issues, data points, and case studies to be included.
Consultation with Experts: The consultant will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including gender and climate change experts from within and outside the UN system. This will ensure that the report reflects the latest research, best practices, and innovative approaches to integrating gender considerations into climate policy.

Research Commissioning Strategy:

Strategy Development: The consultant will develop a strategy for commissioning new research to support the global report. This strategy will include identifying gaps in the existing literature and determining where UN Women can contribute unique insights and data. The consultant will conduct a thorough scan of current research and engage with key stakeholders to ensure that the commissioned research addresses critical needs in the field of gender and climate change.
Collaboration with Data Specialists: The consultant will work with data specialists at UN Women, both at headquarters and regional offices, to identify new opportunities for data analysis. This may include leveraging data that UN Women already possesses or coordinating with other institutions within and beyond the UN system to access relevant datasets.

Pilot of the Gender Equality and Climate Policy Scorecard:

Methodological Development: The consultant will contribute to the pilot study of a gender equality and climate policy scorecard, designed to assess the gender-responsiveness of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other climate policies. This will involve refining the scorecard’s methodology, analyzing pilot data from 15-17 countries, and making recommendations for further improvements. The consultant will work closely with UN Women’s research team to ensure that the scorecard is robust, reliable, and able to provide meaningful insights into how well countries are integrating gender considerations into their climate policies.
Adaptation to Climate Finance: In addition to analyzing NDCs, the consultant will help adapt the scorecard’s methodology to examine climate finance mechanisms, such as the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Fund. This analysis will provide valuable insights into how these funds are being used to support gender-responsive climate action.
Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant will support the development of a proof-of-concept document for the scorecard, which will be used to engage stakeholders in key multilateral forums, including COP29. This document will summarize the scorecard’s unique research approach and highlight its potential impact, helping to position UN Women as a leading voice in gender and climate policy analysis.

Core Competencies and Values

UN Women expects all employees and consultants to uphold its core values and competencies, which include:

Core Values:
Respect for Diversity: A commitment to inclusivity and recognizing the value of diverse perspectives.
Integrity: Adherence to ethical standards and the pursuit of transparency and accountability.
Professionalism: Commitment to high standards of performance and excellence.
Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues: A deep understanding of gender dynamics and the ability to apply this knowledge to policy and research.
Accountability: Taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions.
Creative Problem Solving: The ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Effective Communication: Clear, concise, and impactful communication with a wide range of stakeholders.
Inclusive Collaboration: Working effectively with diverse groups to achieve common goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners.
Leading by Example: Demonstrating leadership through actions that reflect UN Women’s values.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political/Development Studies, or a related field with a strong gender focus is required.
A PhD in a relevant area, particularly with a focus on gender and climate change or environment, would be a significant asset.
Experience:
At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in research and/or policy work with a strong focus on gender equality and climate change or environment.
A proven track record of publishing peer-reviewed work on gender equality and/or climate change is highly preferred.
Experience in analyzing climate change policies from a gender perspective, particularly in relation to NDCs, is highly desirable.
Experience working within an international organization, particularly within the UN system, and/or participating in multilateral climate negotiations and forums is an asset.
Skills:
Expert Researcher: Demonstrated expertise in gender and climate change policy research, with specific knowledge in areas such as agriculture, energy, or financing.
Data Analysis: Experience in analyzing gender and climate policy data, including NDCs, and the ability to work with diverse datasets.
Stakeholder Management: Ability to engage and build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including international organizations, academic institutions, and policy networks.
Project Management: Ability to manage complex projects, ensuring that all deliverables are met on time and to a high standard.
Language:
Fluency in English is required; proficiency in another UN official language (such as French or Spanish) would be an asset.

Application Process

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the deadline on 04-Sep-24. UN Women is deeply committed to diversity and encourages individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities to apply. All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks to ensure compliance with UN Women’s values and standards.

This position represents an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled researcher with a passion for gender equality and climate change to make a significant impact on global policy. The successful candidate will contribute to shaping the future of gender-responsive climate action and help drive meaningful change for women and girls worldwide.

Keywords: Gender and Climate Change, Research Specialist, UN Women, Policy Scorecard, Gender Equality, Climate Policy, NDCs, International Consultant, Research Networks.