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.
Between 2022 and 2024, the UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) supported a series of dialogues at both regional and national levels to review progress, identify challenges, and explore solutions for implementing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. In Central Asia, these dialogues led to the development of a detailed justification for a subregional policy or action plan to advance WPS implementation.
These consultations helped identify gaps and opportunities for collaboration, highlighted the benefits of a coordinated regional approach, and proposed key priorities and actions for the practical implementation of the WPS agenda in the Central Asian context. The dialogues also revealed a clear need to integrate intergenerational perspectives into WPS implementation, particularly by incorporating elements of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. This is especially relevant given the high proportion of youth in Central Asia and their recognized role in conflict prevention and resolution.
In 2025, UN Women ECARO plans to support the development of this subregional WPS policy/plan in an inclusive and effective manner. This process will engage a broad range of stakeholders to build consensus around a common vision, identify both short- and long-term priorities, and foster cooperation in the implementation of the WPS agenda.
To support this effort, UN Women ECARO intends to recruit an Expert on Youth Engagement who will work under the overall supervision of the Regional WPS Policy Advisor and in close coordination with partners across the region.
Scope of Work / Description of Responsibilities
The Expert will be responsible for the following tasks:
Prepare consultations with youth activists in Central Asia on an inclusive format, focusing on the synergies between the WPS and YPS agendas, and applying strategic thinking approaches. Conduct a desk review of youth policies and other relevant national policies in Central Asian countries to identify potential entry points and cross-cutting issues for further integration with the WPS agenda. Map the existing youth organizations and activists activelyย engaged into YPS and cross-cutting areas. Compile best practices in the region related to youth engagement in policy development, and integration of youth aspects into policies and actions promoting development and peace. Organize a series of online consultations with youth activists and networks to gather perspectives and define youth priorities for inclusion in the subregional WPS policy/plan. Document findings of consultation and desk review into a SWOT analysis and a summary document outlining key youth priorities, recommended actions, and proposed mechanisms for tracking progress. Review the alignment with global UN frameworks, including the Pact for the Future, New Agenda for Peace, UN Security Council Resolutions on WPSย and other relevant global commitments, while tailoring the approach to regional needs and mandates. Support to identify potential partnerships based on expected results, levels of engagement, and modalities for technical and financial support for proposed actions. Support to develop of an advocacy package that clearly communicates the value and impact of integrating youth into WPS efforts and promotes support for implementation across stakeholders. Deliverables Expected completion time (due day)ย Payment Schedule (optional) Summary of findings of the desk review of policies and mapping of partnersย By 25 May 2025 Upon certification of the quality deliveryย A detailed report summarizing the findings from the online consultations with youth activists across Central Asia, including ย SWOT analysis reflecting youth perspectives on the WPS-YPS linkage, regional priorities, and challenges, as well as key actions and recommendations to feed into the subregional WPS policy/plan. By 1 July 2025 Upon certification of the quality deliveryA final document demonstrating the integration of youth perspectives into the WSP sub-regional plan/policy ย considering cross-cutting issues, alignment with global frameworks, and proposed mechanisms for monitoring progress.ย
Documented contribution to an advocacy brief/package to communicate the added value of youth engagement in WPS to key stakeholders and donors.
By 25 August 2025 Upon certification of the quality deliveryConsultantโs Workplace and Official Travel
This is a home-based consultancy.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
Functional Competencies:
Strong knowledge of gender equality and womenโs empowerment and their intergenerational dimensions Strong political experience in the Central Asia region on peace and development issues Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience Excellent negotiation, advocacy and interpersonal skills Proven expertise in writing cogent and convincing documents Strong communications and public speaking skills Proven analytical and problem solving skills Ability to work in team and manage performance Strong understanding of GEWE intergovernmental processes and international platforms (Generation Equality, etc.) Effectiveness in establishing and fostering good relations with government counterparts, UN agencies, donors, and NGO partners.Required Qualifications
Education and Certification:
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
At least 1 year of active participation in youth and gender-related development programmes in countries of Central Asia ย is required.ย Preference will be given to candidates with direct affiliation and experience in countries of Central Asia Experience with UN Women is required.Languages:
Fluency in English and Russian is required.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,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย 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 toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย 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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