International consultant to support the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Analysis in Tajikistan

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. It leads and coordinates UN efforts to ensure that gender equality commitments are translated into action globally, in line with key frameworks such as CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda.

In 2008, the UN Development Group (now UNSDG) endorsed the Gender Scorecard, “Accounting for Gender Equality”, as a UN Country Team (UNCT) accountability tool to assess gender mainstreaming efforts. This was developed in response to the UN Chief Executives Board’s 2006 policy on gender equality. In 2018, a revised version, the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard, was launched, aligning with the SDGs and harmonized with the UN-SWAP.

The 2016 QCPR and the 2019 UNSDG Guidance on the UNSDCF emphasized using the Scorecard as a central planning and reporting tool. It calls for active and meaningful participation of both women and men, and the empowerment of women and girls, as per UNSDG-endorsed minimum requirements.

In Tajikistan, the UNCT has shown strong commitment to advancing gender equality through regular use of the Scorecard. This year, a Comprehensive UNCT-SWAP assessment will be carried out to inform the design and planning of the new UNSDCF cycle, ensuring that gender equality remains a central pillar of UN programming in the country. Starting this year, the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard analysis will also incorporate the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP), providing an overview of how UN Country Teams are beginning to implement the GEAP.

As the successor to the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the UNCT in Tajikistan has developed a nationally owned UNSDCF for 2023–2026. The framework is anchored in national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda, and the principles of the UN Charter.

The UNSDCF 2023–2026 outlines the strategic programmatic collaboration between the UN system and the Government of Tajikistan through four Outcomes under four Strategic Priority Areas: (1) Inclusive Human Development; (2) Sustainable, Inclusive, and Green Economic Growth; (3) Integrated Management of Climate and Environmental Risk; and (4) People-Centered Governance and Rule of Law. These areas aim to address the challenges and risks to accelerating and achieving the SDGs.

Under this UNSDCF cycle, four Results Groups (RGs) have been established to enhance coherence and strategic cross-sectoral collaboration, ensuring complementarity between intervention areas.

The Gender Theme Group (GTG) in Tajikistan plays a key role in mainstreaming gender across UNSDCF planning and implementation. It also supports UN agencies in promoting coordinated joint programming that advances gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Objective:

In order to support the implementation of a gender-responsive Cooperation Framework and strengthen UNCT accountability for gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with UN corporate policy, the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard will be used to assess the current status, identify gaps, and recommend corrective actions. While the Gender Theme Group (GTG) will play an active role, an Inter-Agency Team (IAT), comprising representatives from the GTG, Results Groups, the RCO, the UN Communications Group, and the Operations Management Team (OMT), will lead the implementation of the UNCT-SWAP process. This team will ensure the assessment is carried out in a participatory and timely manner, with the support of a consultant.

Duration of the Contract and location:

The Contract is expected to commence in August 2025 and come to an end on the satisfactory completion of the services in December 2025. The Consultant will work 20 working days but may be required to travel to Tajikistan if required (for up to 5 working days upon the decision of the UNCT) to fulfill the tasks.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance of the UN GTG members, and direct support of UN Women Tajikistan Head of Office, in close collaboration with the IAT and RCO, the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Consultant will be responsible for facilitating the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Comprehensive Scorecard exercise and application of participatory methods to ensure the assessment team is formed from the beginning of exercise, leads and own the process. 

To guide and support the Inter-Agency Assessment Team (IAT), the Consultant will conduct the following activities within the stipulated timeframes:

Documents to be reviewed:

2. Prepare and facilitate a UNCT-SWAP orientation during the UNCT meeting (1 working day)

Conduct an orientation session for UNCT members to introduce the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Exercise, including its purpose, structure, and key components. The session will clarify roles and responsibilities, outline an effective reporting process, and provide guidance on how to use assessment findings to identify gaps, document best practices, and develop advocacy messages for both internal and external audiences.

3. Initial assessment and data collection mission (possible in-country visit for up to 5 working days upon the decision of the UNCT)

4. Assistance and support for the IAT to be performed reporting and development of action plan (5 working days)

5. Validation and finalization of SWAP Comprehensive Assessment Report and Action plan (5 working days)

Deliverables: Tranche # Deliverables Delivery Date Tranche amount Tranche 1

Inception report submitted and approved, outlining the proposed methodology, tools, and timeline for implementation of the assignment; 

Desk review is conducted;
UNCT orientation session conducted, including the development and presentation of relevant briefing materials tailored to the country context.

30 September 2025 (5 w/d)

30% of contract amount

Draft UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard Comprehensive Report and the Action Plan are submitted for review and comments by the UNCT.

20 October 2025 (10 w/d)

40% of contract amount

Validation and Submission of Final UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment Report and Action Plan endorsed by UNCT by the set deadline.

20 December (5 w/d)

30% of contract amount 

Ownership: 

The developed products belong to the UNCT solely.

Competencies:

Core Values:

Core Competencies:

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

Qualifications

Education: 

Knowledge and professional experience:

Language:

Application procedure:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the online application:

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.