Economist And/Or Women’s Economic Empowerment Research Expert - For Systematic Literature Review On Women’s Entrepreneurship, Home-Based, Retainer International Consultant Home Based Posting Date06/10/2026

Organizational Context

UN Women is dedicated to advancing women's rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of all women and girls globally. As a lead UN entity, it works to shift laws, institutions, and social norms to close the gender gap. The Economic Empowerment section focuses on gender-responsive SME development and supporting women entrepreneurs, particularly in the care and green economies, to foster inclusive growth and achieve the 2030 Agenda.

Job Purpose

This role is to conduct a systematic literature review on women's entrepreneurship, focusing on the care and green economies, and its contribution to women's economic empowerment. The purpose is to consolidate existing evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and develop a coherent economic framework linking inclusive businesses to labor market outcomes and ecosystem enablers. The findings will inform policy, advocacy, and investment strategies, contributing to UN Women's knowledge generation pillar and supporting initiatives like the Care and Climate Entrepreneurship Accelerator and the WE RISE Together programme.

Responsibilities

The International Consultant will develop an analytical framework and research design for a systematic literature review on women's entrepreneurship, including defining search strategies and inclusion criteria. They will conduct a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing evidence on definitions of women-owned enterprises, constraints (structural and gender-specific), types of support, and reported outcomes. This will involve developing a constraint framework, a typology of women-owned firms, and inputs for the study's conceptual framework. The consultant will translate findings into a structured, policy-relevant narrative, ensuring alignment with programme goals and complementing ecosystem engagement. Key deliverables include an analytical report and actionable implications for policymakers, investors, and ecosystem actors.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in research on entrepreneurship, private sector development, and business economics is required. Proven experience in conducting systematic literature reviews, research on SMEs, peer-reviewed research, and gender analysis is essential. Prior experience within the UN system and a strong understanding of women's economic empowerment or the care economy are desirable.

Skills

Systematic literature review, Research design, Economic analysis, Gender analysis, Business economics, SME development, Policy analysis, Knowledge product development.

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