Senior Research Consultant For Mapping Narratives Contributing To Discriminatory Social Norms (homebased) Home Based Posting Date07/07/2026 BE THE FIRST TO APPLY

Organizational Context

UN Women's East & Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) works across 25 countries to advance gender equality and eliminate discrimination. The office supports member states and partners in transforming discriminatory social norms and strengthening gender-responsive financing, data, and practices. Efforts focus on empowering women's rights organizations and civil society to influence decision-making and enhance institutional accountability.

Job Purpose

This role supports UN Women ESARO's strategic note by conducting a regional mapping of narratives that contribute to discriminatory social norms affecting gender equality across East and Southern Africa. The purpose is to establish a baseline understanding of these narratives, identify their drivers, and inform the development of counter-narratives. The research will capture dominant narratives within state, market, religious, community, and family institutions, providing qualitative benchmarks and contextual analysis to support UN Women's programming and indicators for gender equality, women's freedom from violence, economic empowerment, leadership, and inclusive peace and security.

Responsibilities

The Senior Research Consultant will develop and implement a mixed-method regional research methodology for mapping discriminatory narratives and their contribution to discriminatory norms. This includes reviewing background documentation, preparing a workplan, and proposing a research methodology adhering to decolonial principles, participatory approaches, and ethical/digital safety practices. The consultant will establish protocols for informed consent, confidentiality, data protection, and safeguarding, particularly for vulnerable groups. Responsibilities also involve identifying potential stakeholders and proposing 3-5 case studies from the ESA region, and contributing baseline evidence, qualitative benchmarks, and recommendations for monitoring changes in discriminatory narratives and institutional responses.

Work Experience

Requires at least 10 years of experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating research on EVAWG or gender equality, with a focus on narratives and social norms, particularly in middle and low-income countries. Demonstrated experience working with civil society, women's rights movements, and coalition-building is essential. Proven expertise in participatory research methods, coordinating virtual data collection, and familiarity with the UN system are also required. Experience in the East and Southern Africa region is an asset.

Skills

Research methodology design and implementation, data collection and analysis, social norms change, gender equality, EVAWG, participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement, report writing, project coordination.

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