Gender Specialist

Result of ServiceThe objective of this consultancy is to strengthen UNEP’s Circularity in the Electronics Sector project by ensuring gender-responsive approaches in e-waste management, circular economy policies, and industry engagement in Mexico. Through gender analysis, stakeholder engagement, and policy recommendations, the consultant will help integrate gender considerations into regulations, capacity-building efforts, and consumer awareness initiatives. Through these efforts, the consultancy will bridge gender gaps in e-waste management, promote women's empowerment in the circular economy, and enhance gender equality in regulatory frameworks. The work will directly contribute to safer working conditions, improved economic opportunities for women in waste management, and more inclusive policies streamlining circularity in the electronics sector. The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen UNEP’s Circularity in the Electronics Sector project by ensuring gender-responsive approaches in e-waste management, circular economy policies, and industry engagement in Mexico. Through gender analysis, stakeholder engagement, and policy recommendations, the consultant will help integrate gender considerations into regulations, capacity-building efforts, and consumer awareness initiatives. The Gender Specialist will bolster the Circularity in the Electronics Sector project by integrating gender perspectives into e-waste management, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and consumer outreach in Mexico. The consultant will work closely with UNEP LACO, UNEP IETC, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and civil society organizations to ensure a gender-responsive approach across all project activities. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Officer for Chemicals and Waste based in Mexico and by UNEP International Environmental Technology (IETC) Project Manager, the Gender Specialist Consultant will perform the following activities: Output (1) Gender-Responsive E-Waste Management and Circular Economy Policies • Conduct a comprehensive gender analysis to assess gender disparities in e-waste management, recycling, and circular economy participation, with a focus on women and marginalized groups • Identify barriers and opportunities for women in formal and informal e-waste collection, repair, and recycling sectors. • Review existing policies, laws, and regulations on circular economy and waste management from a gender perspective. • Develop policy recommendations to ensure equal access to opportunities, decision-making and leadership roles, and safer working conditions in the sector. Output (2) Strengthened Inclusion of Women and Marginalized Groups in E-Waste Sector • Provide policy briefs and recommendations to integrate gender equality considerations into national e-waste policies and circular economy frameworks. • Identify best practices for gender inclusion in the electronics value chain, with a focus on fair working conditions, financial access, and training opportunities. • Facilitate the inclusion of gender-responsive indicators in policy monitoring and project evaluation • Promote gender-responsive policies that improve working conditions, training opportunities, and financial access for women in e-waste management and electronics value chains. • Facilitate the integration of gender-responsive indicators into policy monitoring and circular economy strategies. • Engage with women-led organizations, cooperatives, and informal sector workers to enhance their participation in circular economy initiatives Output (3) Strengthen Capacity-Building and Stakeholder Engagement for Gender Equality • Engage with government agencies, private sector companies, NGOs, and women-led organizations to promote gender equality in the circular economy. • Organize multi-stakeholder dialogues, policy roundtables, and focus groups to ensure inclusive participation. • Facilitate training sessions and capacity-building workshops and training programs for policymakers, businesses, and waste sector workers on gender- inclusive approaches in waste management and circularity. • Along with the communications consultant develop communication materials and advocacy campaigns to promote awareness of gender equality in circular electronics. • Bolster multi-stakeholder dialogues with government agencies, industry leaders, and gender advocacy groups to integrate gender perspectives into policy discussions Output (4) Promote Gender-Responsive Consumer Outreach and Behaviour Change Strategies • Conduct consumer research and behavioural studies to understand gender-specific barriers to e-waste disposal, recycling, and repair practices • Assess gender-specific behavioural patterns in electronics consumption, disposal, and repair practices. • Develop targeted outreach strategies and campaigns that encourage inclusive consumer participation in circular electronics initiatives to address gendered barriers in consumer participation in e-waste management and recycling programs. • Create communication materials, social media content, and advocacy campaigns highlighting the role of women in circular economy solutions to Promote public awareness campaigns that highlight women’s role in driving circular economy transitions Output (5) Final Gender Integration Report and Knowledge Products • Develop and submit a Gender Analysis Report with key findings and recommendations. • Provide a final report summarizing activities, outcomes, and best practices for gender mainstreaming in the circular economy. • Contribute to UNEP’s global and regional knowledge-sharing efforts by documenting lessons learned and case studies. • Deliver a final report summarizing gender analysis findings, stakeholder engagement outcomes, and policy recommendations. • Develop a gender integration framework for circularity in the electronics sector. • Ensure that all project outputs, policies, and implementation strategies are inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive. • These tasks will be conducted in close collaboration with UNEP and national stakeholders, ensuring that gender equality is mainstreamed across all aspects of e-waste management and circular economy policy development in Mexico. Work LocationMexico City, Mexico Expected duration9 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). To accomplish this, UNEP´s Headquarter and its Regional and Country offices work with a wide range of partners, including other United Nations entities, international organizations, national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LAC Office), located in Panama City is supported by UNEP Mexico´s Country Office, located in Mexico City and, since 2020, the Representative Office of UNEP in Mexico acts as Focal Point to support UNEP´s Programme of Work in Guatemala. UNEP´s Mexico Country Office collaborates with the Mexican and Guatemalan governments and other stakeholders in areas ranging from low carbon and resilient growth, resources efficiency, environmental governance, to projects on ecosystems and climate change, and supports Mexico in its transition to a low carbon and green economy. The overall objective of the UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division at the UNEP Headquarters is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. As part of the Industry and Economy Division, UNEP International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) works with developing countries to implement sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, with a focus on holistic waste management. UNEP-IETC provides technical and advisory support to national and local governments to enhance their use of environmentally sound strategies and approaches. UNEP-IETC also implements in-country demonstration projects using innovative waste prevention and management methods and technologies to improve human well-being, reduce the impact of climate change, increase resilience and create jobs. Working with a wide range of partners and in line with relevant multilateral environmental agreements, UNEP-IETC mission is to serve as a global center of excellence on environmentally sound technologies with a focus on holistic waste management. Under the Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2022–2025, UNEP developed a waste management programme aimed at achieving zero waste, which includes waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Additionally, under the same MTS, the Circularity in Sectors programme was established, identifying the electronics sector as one of the priority high-impact sectors, leading to the development of the “Circularity in the Electronics Sector” project. To achieve these ambitious objectives, the project’s intervention strategy focuses on three key areas: 1. Generating scientific, economic, industrial, and financial evidence to influence policies on circular electronics and encourage the adoption of sustainable business strategies. 2. Building alliances and partnerships to drive the industry toward circular practices, ensuring coordinated action among key stakeholders. 3. Implementing circular electronics projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of circularity, providing a proof of concept for industry transformation. Under this project, UNEP-IETC and UNEP Mexico’s Country Office will implement a Circularity in the Electronics Sector initiative in Mexico, focusing on: 1. Establishing strategic partnerships. 2. Updating the e-waste inventory in Mexico. 3. Assessing and strengthening the legal framework. 4. Designing an integrated circular economy roadmap for the electrical and electronic sector. While the circular economy presents significant opportunities for sustainable development, gender disparities persist in the electronics supply chain, e-waste management, and recycling sectors. The role of women in informal e-waste collection and recycling is particularly critical, as they are often engaged in low-income, high-risk work with limited access to protective measures, technology, and decision-making processes. To address these challenges, this consultancy will ensure a gender-responsive approach within the project, facilitating policy recommendations, stakeholder engagement, and data collection to strengthen gender equality in circular economy initiatives for the electronics sector. In this sense, UNEP Mexico will need the technical expertise of a Gender specialist consultant to ensure a gender-responsive approach within the project, facilitating policy recommendations, stakeholder engagement, and data collection to strengthen gender equality in circular economy initiatives for the electronics sector of the Circularity in the Electronics Sector initiative in Mexico. The Consultant will be supervised by Regional Officer for Chemicals and Waste based in Mexico and by UNEP International Environmental Technology (IETC) Project Manager; and will work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, full time at UNEP Mexico’s Office located in Mexico City, Mexico. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC: - A Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, International Development, or a closely related field, is required. - Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, International Development, or a closely related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: - Three (3) years of experience in gender analysis, social inclusion, or women’s empowerment initiatives is required - Proven expertise in integrating gender perspectives into environmental, sustainability, or waste management projects, is desirable. - Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, or international organizations on gender and policy development is desirable. - Familiarity with circular economy principles, waste management, and e-waste policies is desirable. - Knowledge of gender-responsive policy frameworks and international guidelines is desirable. - Experience in conducting stakeholder engagement, training, or capacity-building activities focused on gender equality is desirable. LanguagesLANGUAGE: - Fluency in Spanish is required. - Fluency in English is required. Additional InformationSPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: - Proven ability to manage different stakeholders is desirable. - Be computer literate in standard software applications is desirable. - Knowledge of Excel and other database programs is desirable. - Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views is desirable. - Ability to deliver timely and high-quality results under tight deadlines is desirable. - Excellent coordination skills, and an ability to follow instructions, work under pressure as a part of a team, or independently as required. Excellent attention to detail is desirable. COMPETENCIES: Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situation. Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours; Acts without consideration of personal gain; Resists undue political pressure in decision-making; Does not abuse power or authority; Stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular; Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise, is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.