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.
The security landscape in the Western Balkans remains complex, shaped by historical, ethnic, and geopolitical factors. While efforts toward dialogue and regional cooperation continue, challenges persist.ย As countries in the subregion continue to actively pursue European Unionย (EU)ย accession, this framework offers a strategic opportunity to further advance cross-border peace and security. Alignment with EU standards and increased cooperation under the accession process can reinforce commitments to conflict resolution, inclusive governance, and regional stability.
The EU has reiterated its commitment to supporting the region through enhanced security and defense cooperation, including assistance in addressing hybrid threats and disinformation. Progress in implementing dialogue agreements remains essential for advancing regional stability and accessing EU support mechanisms.ย The Berlin Process, launched in 2014, serves as a platform to strengthen cooperation between the Western Balkans Six (WB6), EU member states, and Berlin Process host countries. It provides an inclusive format for dialogue, with annual summits and ministerial meetings involving high-level officials, EU institutions, international partners, civil society, youth, and businesses. The process supports regional cooperation, EU integration efforts, and connectivity projects, aiming to deliver tangible benefits to citizens. Gender equality and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) forums are being considered as part of the Berlin Process agenda for 2025.
Over the past 30 years of implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, Western Balkan countries have adopted and advanced national action plans onย WPS (NAPs on WPS), integrating these commitments into national policies and programming. Significant progress has been made in both judicial and non-judicial accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, including reforms to protect the rights of women and girls. Measures to combat human trafficking and improve support services for conflict-affected women have also been introduced. Additionally,ย efforts to eliminate discrimination against girlsโparticularly through education reforms and initiatives to address harmful practicesโhave been prioritized.ย Some countries have made the elimination of gender-based violence (GBV) a key element of their future agendas โ Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia โ as a follow-up to B+30 national reviews. In May 2025, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina andย North Macedonia made specific commitments in aย frame ofย OSCE-wide Roadmap for the effective implementation of WPS commitmentsย launched by Finland as OSCE CiO.
In 2023, UN Women conducted a regional researchโVoices of YOUth: Gender Equality and Social Cohesion in the Western Balkansโ, co-designed and carried out by young researchers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo[1], North Macedonia, and Serbiaโto examine the links between youth development, gender equality, and social cohesion. The study, part of the UN regionalย joint programmeย Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust,ย funded by PBF andย provided important insights into how young people across the region perceive these interconnected challenges and how they believe they should be addressed.ย The research brought forward youth-driven perspectives and actionable recommendations for promoting gender equality and strengthening social cohesion. It highlighted the importance of inclusive policies, meaningful youth participation in decision-making, and targeted interventions to address gender norms, discrimination, and social divisions. The study also contributes to building a strong foundation for exploring the interlinkages between the WPS agenda and the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda.ย
The overall objective of this assignment is to contribute to more effective and inclusive peacebuilding in the Western Balkans by generating a comprehensive understanding of the gendered dimensions of conflict, trust, and social cohesion, through an in-depth desk review and targeted expert consultations. It is expected to support informing future strategies, programs, and policies that promote sustainable peace from gender equality perspectives in the region. By this it is expected to contribute to preparations for Gender Equality and WPS forums.
This assignment will be entirely home-based and focused on desk research and virtual consultation. Any change will be communicated and agreed upon in advance.ย The consultants are expected to apply a gender-responsive conflict analysis framework, such as those developed by UN Women where relevant, and ensure intersectional, inclusive, and context-specific analysis. ย
Expected tasks and responsibilitiesUnder the supervision of the WPS Regional Policy Advisor and in direct consultation with UN Women heads of offices in Western Balkans, the consultants will be responsible for the following tasks:
Under the supervision of the WPS Regional Policy Advisor and in direct consultation with UN Women Heads of Offices in the Western Balkans, the consultant(s) will be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Desk Review
Conduct a comprehensive desk/literature review of existing gender analyses, peacebuilding and reconciliation frameworks, and conflict assessments in the Western Balkans. Map regional and national policies, action plans, and legal frameworks relevant to the WPS agendaย implementation andย identify sources of funding - both domestic and external - that support their implementation.ยReview how WPS is reflected in respective regional forums/summit agendas, working groups, and/or regional cooperation platforms, and recommend how UN Women and partners could better position WPS within these evolving processes. Identify key insecurity risks and conflict drivers, as well as opportunities for peace and trust-building, and their gender dimensions and dynamics, with specific attention to intergenerational dynamics and the role of youth and older women in peacebuilding processes. Analyze socio-political and economic trends affecting gender dynamics in peace and trust-building, including interethnic relations, post-conflict recovery, transitional justice, and evolving generational perspectives on security and inclusion. Identify and documentย main gaps in regard of data, evidenceย and knowledge to advance WPS agenda implementation in theย subregions. Review best practices and lessons learned from gender-responsive and intergenerational peacebuilding efforts in the Western Balkans and comparable regions.
[1] All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UNSC resolution 1244(1999)
ย2. Stakeholder Mapping
Identify key regional stakeholders relevant to gender and peacebuilding, including civil society organizations, womenโs and youth organizations and networks, academic institutions, and government bodies. Particular attention should be given to grassroots womenโs organizations engaged in peacebuilding and transitional justice, to ensure their direct perspectives inform the analysis going forward. Map institutional mechanisms and cooperation platforms that support gender equality and inclusive peace efforts, including initiatives that engage both younger and older generations (e.g. intergenerational dialogues, peace education, or cross-border youth-led initiatives). Identify and map current funding flows and donors in support of WPS efforts to better understand gaps and ways to inform future programming. This is expected to include a critical analysis of the regional external funding trends and gaps and explore emerging opportunities for strategic partnerships in advancing the WPS agenda.3. Expert Consultations
Design and conduct virtual consultations with a diverse range of regional experts (state actors, CSOs, academics, youth leaders, activists, etc.) to gather insights and validate initial findings from the desk review. Topics should include gender dimensions of conflict and peacebuilding, barriers to womenโs participation and leadership, and intergenerational approaches to trust-building and social cohesion. Facilitate individual interviews and/or group discussions (focus groups) as needed, ensuring representation across gender, age, and ethnic backgrounds. Document regional experiences, perspectives, and good practices related to inclusive and intergenerational peacebuilding strategies.4. Gap Analysis and Needs Assessment
Assess gaps in current approaches to gender sensitive transitional justice,ย gender-inclusive and intergenerational peacebuilding and trust-building in the Western Balkans.ย Deepen the analysis of how regional EU integration initiatives and frameworks (e.g., the Berlin Process, EUโWestern Balkans Summits,ย Regional Cooperation Council) ย influence or could more effectively incorporate gender equality and WPS commitments. Identify knowledge, capacity, and coordination needs among key stakeholders to strengthen gender-responsive and age-inclusive peacebuilding strategies. 5. Final Recommendations and Reporting Develop actionable recommendations for integrating gender and intergenerational perspectives into future peacebuilding, trust-building, and social cohesion programming. Provide specific recommendations to inform UN Womenโs strategic regional engagement and contribution to the regional EU integration initiatives and frameworks. Summarize key findings from the desk review and stakeholder consultations, with an emphasis on opportunities to advance inclusive peace in the region. Refine recommendations in close consultation with UN Women, incorporating feedback received. Prepare and submit a final analytical report to UN Women.Deliverables Deliverables Expected completion time (due day)ย Payment Schedule (optional)
Desk review ย ofย ย existingย ย analyses, peacebuilding frameworks, and conflict assessments in the Western Balkans
Stakeholders mappingย
By 25 July (7 working days each consultant) By 23 JulyThe virtual expert consultation conducted and summary of discussions and findings prepared. Informants
Draft analytical report (main findings of the desk review and consultations and draft recommendations)
By 5 August (3 working days each consultant)
By 20 August (5 working days each consultant)
By 11 August
By 25 August
Final report (max 40 pages) executive summary and annexes with UN Women feedback addressed submittedย By 5 September (3 working days)Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.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:
At least 3 years of practical experience in analytical/research area on gender equality and womenโs empowerment. Strong understanding of gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive approaches. Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs on time. Excellent drafting and writing skills to produce and present concise and analytical discussion papers. Knowledge in results-based programming in support of gender and human rights.Required Qualifications
Education and Certification:
Masterโs degree or equivalent in gender studies, political science, international relations, environmental studies, water governance, or a related field.Experience:
Minimum 3 years of professional experience in gender responsive conflict analysis or environmental governance. Proven experience in desk-based research and analysis. Familiarity with the context and regional dynamics in the Western Balkans.ยLanguages:
Fluency in English (written and oral) is required. Albanian, Bosnian, Serbian or MacedonianยStatements :
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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