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.
UN Women China Country Office (CO) provides technical and financial assistance to innovative programmes and strategies for gender equality and women's empowerment in China. We work in partnership with governments, civil society organizations, UN agencies, donors, communities and networks to advance gender equality. Placing the advancement of women's human rights at the center of our work, UN Women China CO focuses on violence against women, leadership and political participation, women’s economic empowerment, sustainable financing, global partnerships and South-South Cooperation for gender equality.
Under the supervision of the UN Women Country Representative in China, the Government Partnership Consultant is to support the development, implementation, oversight and management of UN Women’s partnership portfolio in China in line with UN Women’s global mandate, plans and priorities, with focus on the Government of China; lead the liaison, engagement and communications with the Government of China to ensure UN Women’s corporate priorities, roadmap and workstreams on Beijing+30 including the Global Leaders’ Meeting among many others; provide technical guidance and advice to CO management and programme teams concerning government partnerships, engagement tactics and risk mitigation, to address emerging issues and opportunities in area of promoting gender equality and to facilitate programme development and delivery, as well as campaign and policy advocacy. Working with the Head of Partnerships and programme teams, the Government Partnership Consultant will also contribute to UN Women China CO’s annual work planning, resource mobilization and internal knowledge management with focus on government partnerships.
The is consultancy is a maternity cover for office’s Partnership Specialist and will need to work in close collaboration with UN Women colleagues across various programme teams of UN Women, UN Women regional and HQ (as required), UN RC/O, and other UN agencies in China.
The Consultant will be supported by colleagues on the contract and payment issues.
Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work
Enhance UN Women’s strategic partnerships with the Government of China (20%) Serving as the government liaison focal point, foster and strengthen UN Women’s strategic partnerships with key counterparts with focus on women’s federations, line ministries, departments and institutions at national and subnational levels, in line with UN Women’s corporate mandates, positioning and strategic partnership with China. Lead discussions with national South-South Cooperation (SSC) stakeholders, UN Agencies, Development Partners as well as private sector and international non-governmental organizations in advancing UN Women’s portfolio on global partnerships and SSC for gender equality, when appropriate and if needed. Act as the main technical focal point for strategic partnership and engagement with the Government in socializing UN Women’s Strategic Note (2026-2030) for China office. As liaison focal point, support follow-up actions (as needed) coming out of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women 2025 and Beijing+30 engagement in China and contribute to ensuring UN Women’s technical lead role in UNCT on any relevant Beijing+30 follow-up items. Advance and contribute to UN Women’s corporate resource mobilization efforts for South-South Cooperation funding (60%) Advance UN Women’s corporate non-core resource mobilization efforts, by possibly utilizing China’s evolving South-South Cooperation funding mechanisms. This would entail facilitating conversations between national stakeholders and UN Women internal, providing quality and timely advisory and technical inputs to programme formulation and revision rounds. Act as liaison to other UN Women offices vis-à-vis Chinese donor(s) funding South-South Cooperation projects. Support the preparation, review, and monitoring of donor agreements for South-South Cooperation projects. Track and monitor any follow-up requirements (e.g., donor queries, partner contracting, project inception) once proposals are approved. Provide periodic reports to the Country Representative and Head of Partnerships on proposal pipeline status, risk assessment, and South-South Cooperation opportunity mapping. Lead the development of local standard operating procedures (SOPs) to guide South-South Cooperation resource mobilization funding – from concept ideation to project closure. Strengthen UN Women’s internal knowledge management and resources on South-South Cooperation funding opportunities – including through internal briefings, regular updates, development of donor fact sheets and other resources. Enhance CO programme delivery, results-based management and risk management (20%) Guidance and advice to the SSC for gender equality team to ensure meaningful engagements with key stakeholders and successful delivery of annual activities for impact under CO’s joint programme with UNDP on ‘effective multilateralism for SDGs’; and activities to assure normative support around Beijing+30 and SSC for GEWE. Provide technical guidance and support to programme teams to enhance effective partnerships as well as risk management with focus on government partners in support of implementation of CO’s existing portfolios and programmes; provide quality assurance to programme teams on formal written correspondence with government counterparts. Provide advice and support to CO senior management on high-level engagements, missions and events incl. identifying and assessing needs, risk mitigation, proposing thematic priorities, programme design, BNs, coordination with national counterparts as well as keeping track of follow-up actions on behalf of senior management. Advance and ensure UN Women’s active and tangible contribution to the new UNSDCF through the UN Women-supported Results Group on Global Partnerships, where needed. Set and monitor CO’s annual priorities, goals and key performance indicators with focus on government partnerships, where needed.Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel
This is an office-based consultancy with work from home flexibility (twice a week). There is no expectation for official trips over the duration of the consultancy unless it becomes necessary. Any official travel will be arranged by China office separately, if need arises.
Competencies :
Deliverables
Timelines
Monthly summary report on partnership support actions of enhance UN Women’s strategic partnerships with the Government of China, advance and contribute to UN Women’s corporate resource mobilization efforts for South-South Cooperation funding, enhance CO programme delivery, results-based management and risk management.31 December 2025
Monthly summary report on partnership support actions of enhance UN Women’s strategic partnerships with the Government of China, advance and contribute to UN Women’s corporate resource mobilization efforts for South-South Cooperation funding, enhance CO programme delivery, results-based management and risk management. 31 January 2026 Monthly summary report on partnership support actions of enhance UN Women’s strategic partnerships with the Government of China, advance and contribute to UN Women’s corporate resource mobilization efforts for South-South Cooperation funding, enhance CO programme delivery, results-based management and risk management. 28 February 2026 Monthly summary report on partnership support actions of enhance UN Women’s strategic partnerships with the Government of China, advance and contribute to UN Women’s corporate resource mobilization efforts for South-South Cooperation funding, enhance CO programme delivery, results-based management and risk management. 31 March 2026Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues Accountability Creative Problem Solving Effective Communication Inclusive Collaboration Stakeholder EngagementPlease visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
Demonstrated partnership building and communication skills to interact effectively with Government of China stakeholders; Strong negotiating skills along with demonstrated diplomatic acumen; Knowledge and understanding of UN system; Strong knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues; Strong analytical and interpersonal skills; Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages.Deliverables and Timelines
Required Qualifications
Education and Certification:
Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, public administration, international relations, communications, women's studies, business management, or a related field is required. Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject with 7 years’ experience may be accepted.Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in partnership building, resource mobilization, and/or business development in emerging economies and complex contexts; Deep knowledge of Chinese government and governance and past working experience in partnership development with the Government of China is needed; Excellent analytical and advisory skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently; Past working experience with the UN including an understanding of intergovernmental process is desired; Understanding of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment agenda is highly desired.Languages:
Fluency in English is required. High command of Chinese language 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, 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.