National consultancy for Expert consultant on empowerment of marginalized groups and referral coordination (Phase I)

Organizational Context

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency dedicated to a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The organization's Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 aims to accelerate the ICPD Programme of Action and achieve the SDGs by 2030. This role operates within this framework, focusing on key outcomes related to family planning, maternal health, gender-based violence, and demographic change adaptation.

Job Purpose

The consultancy aims to establish and operationalize a referral coordination mechanism for women's economic empowerment and to lead the design and launch of the Investment Facility for Economic Empowerment. The role will enhance institutional coordination among government bodies, employment services, private sector entities, financial institutions, and women's support organizations. The consultant will guide beneficiaries and employers through the entire process, from consultation and design to application, award, and post-award implementation. This phase focuses on consultations, validation conferences, launching the Investment Facility, establishing the referral framework, building an initial beneficiary pipeline, supporting co-financing rounds, and providing initial post-award support.

Responsibilities

The consultant will manage two workstreams: Investment Facility for Economic Empowerment and the self-employment pathway, and the Preferential Employment Pathway. For the first workstream, responsibilities include liaising with the RS Gender Equality Centre for consultations, planning and facilitating meetings with diverse stakeholders (ministries, employment bureaus, chambers of commerce, investors, private sector), preparing consultation reports, replicating the methodology in Brčko District, and refining the Investment Facility design based on feedback. For the second workstream, the consultant will establish referral pathways connecting marginalized women with employers, engage employers to identify needs, coordinate with employment bureaus, identify and propose solutions for employment barriers, and support co-financing applications. The role also involves organizing and implementing validation conferences, supporting the Investment Facility launch, establishing cooperation mechanisms, building an initial beneficiary pipeline, providing entrepreneurship mentoring, and offering continuous post-award technical support and monitoring.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of professional experience in empowerment, employment/entrepreneurship, or social inclusion programs for marginalized groups. Demonstrated experience in referral coordination, working with marginalized women, navigating government partnerships, and supporting entrepreneurship is essential. Experience with employment benefits, financing mechanisms, and understanding of Bosnia and Herzegovina's administrative structure is highly desirable.

Skills

Strong facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills. Excellent analytical and report writing abilities. Results orientation, sound planning, and organizational skills. High ethical standards, including confidentiality and data protection. Ability to manage parallel processes under time pressure. Analytical and strategic thinking. Teamwork and interpersonal skills. Professional expertise and business acumen.

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