International Consultant, Expert in Women's Economic Empowerment, Care Economy and Caregiving in Crisis and Recovery Settings (Retainer)
Organizational Context
UN Women is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women globally. In the State of Palestine, its work from 2023-2025 aligns with national priorities, focusing on economic opportunities, social services, and governance. The organization's Strategic Note supports impacts in governance, women's economic empowerment, ending violence against women, and peace and security. This role specifically addresses the disproportionate increase in care responsibilities faced by women and girls in crisis and recovery contexts, identifying it as a barrier to their economic participation.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to provide expert technical assistance on the care economy, caregiving systems, unpaid care, and gender-responsive recovery programming. The consultant will support the design, implementation, evidence generation, and institutionalization of care-focused approaches within UN Women's recovery portfolio, particularly in Gaza. The role will address how care burdens limit women's engagement in economic activities and explore opportunities within the care economy for job creation and resilience-building. The consultant will report to the UN Women Programme Analyst (Humanitarian and Early recovery) and collaborate with various stakeholders to integrate care solutions into recovery initiatives.
Responsibilities
The consultant will lead technical efforts to increase women's employment during early recovery in Gaza and guide the integration of care-responsive approaches across humanitarian, recovery, and development programs. Key duties include identifying and addressing care-related barriers to women's economic participation, developing recommendations for childcare and caregiving support systems, and advising on the establishment of formal and informal care structures in crisis settings, ensuring safeguarding and decent work standards. The role also involves conducting care economy assessments, identifying job creation opportunities, and developing evidence-based guidance. Furthermore, the consultant will design and deliver capacity-building initiatives, strengthen partnerships with relevant organizations, and develop learning materials to scale up care-focused programs.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in the care economy, caregiving systems, social protection, or women's economic empowerment is required. Experience in designing and implementing care-responsive programs and policies, supporting women's employment initiatives, and working in humanitarian, crisis-affected, or recovery settings is essential. Experience in conducting care economy analysis and research is desirable. Experience with UN agencies or in the Middle East region is also highly desirable.
Skills
Strong technical expertise in care economy and caregiving systems; Knowledge of women's economic empowerment and recovery programming; Experience in humanitarian, development, and recovery contexts; Ability to conduct care economy analysis and generate evidence-based recommendations; Experience developing policy, program design, and practical guidance tools; Strong facilitation, coordination, and partnership-building skills.