Job Description

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 girls; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security.

Gender equality in Armenia has progressed in key areas, including legal reforms, political participation, and service provision. However, persistent challenges remain, including gender-based violence, harmful gender stereotypes, and gaps in the implementation of legislation. The United Nations in Armenia recognizes gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (GEWE) as central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5.

In Armenia, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030 provides the overarching framework for the UN system’s collective contribution to Armenia’s sustainable development priorities. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are mainstreamed across the UNSDCF 2026–2030, reinforcing the UN Country Team’s commitment to systematically integrate gender equality considerations across its strategic priorities, programming, implementation, monitoring, and results.

The United Nations Country Team System-wide Action Plan (UNCT-SWAP) Gender Equality Scorecard is a standardized accountability and performance assessment tool that enables United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) to assess how effectively gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are mainstreamed across their collective work. It assesses UNCT performance against defined indicators covering areas such as strategic planning and programming, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, leadership, organizational culture, gender architecture and capacities, resources, and results. The comprehensive Scorecard assessment provides an evidence-based picture of UNCT performance, identifies strengths and gaps, and informs concrete actions to strengthen gender mainstreaming and accountability throughout the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

In March 2024, the UN Secretary-General launched the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP), calling on Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams to accelerate gender equality results through stronger leadership, accountability, financing, partnerships and evidence-based programming.

Therefore, UN Women seeks to engage a consultant to support the UN Country Team in Armenia to conduct the comprehensive UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment, in accordance with the established UNCT-SWAP methodology and technical guidance as well as to deliver Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP).

The consultant will facilitate the exercise and application of participatory methods to ensure the assessment team is set up from the beginning of the exercise, promoting the leadership and ownership of the process by the assessment team. This includes providing support for the technical assessment process, including the collection and review of relevant documentation and evidence; facilitating consultations with UNCT entities and inter-agency mechanisms; application of the UNCT-SWAP performance indicators and rating methodology; facilitation of the assessment and validation process and development of the action plan; and preparation and finalization of the comprehensive Scorecard assessment and related recommendations and action plan.

The consultant will report to the UN Women Programme Specialist based in Yerevan, and who will be the primary point of contact for the assignment, including contractual and payment matters. Throughout the assignment, the consultant will work closely with the UNGTG, the Inter-Agency Assessment Team (IAT) and relevant UNCT entities and will receive technical and coordination support from the UN Women teams in Armenia and Georgia.

Objective of the Consultancy

The overall objective of the assignment is to facilitate the comprehensive United Nations Country Team System-wide Action Plan (UNCT-SWAP) Gender Equality Scorecard assessment for the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Armenia and deliver Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP)., in accordance with the established United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) methodology and technical guidance. The assessment will examine the UNCT’s performance and accountability for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, identify progress, strengths and remaining gaps, and inform concrete actions to strengthen gender mainstreaming throughout the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030, in which gender equality is mainstreamed as a cross-cutting priority.

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Programme Specialist based in Armenia, who serves as Chair of the UN Gender Theme Group (UNGTG) in Armenia, and in close collaboration with the UNGTG, relevant UN entities and the designated inter-agency assessment mechanism (IAT), the consultant will assist the IAT with the comprehensive assessment and facilitate a participatory process to ensure collective UNCT ownership of its findings and recommendations.

Specifically, the assignment will aim to:

A. UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard

1. Assess the UNCT’s performance against the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard performance indicators and related criteria across its seven dimensions: Planning; Programming and Monitoring and Evaluation; Partnerships; Leadership and Organizational Culture; Gender Architecture and Capacities; Financial Resources; and Results.
2. Assess the extent to which gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are systematically mainstreamed in the UNSDCF 2026–2030 and its related planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and accountability mechanisms, as well as in joint programmes, joint initiatives and other relevant UNCT processes.
3. Review and analyse relevant evidence and documentation and undertake consultations with UNCT entities and inter-agency mechanisms to determine performance against each UNCT-SWAP indicator and ensure that ratings and findings are evidence-based and consistent with the UNCT-SWAP methodology.
4. Identify achievements, strengths, gaps, challenges and good practices in mainstreaming gender equality across UNCT planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation, partnerships, coordination, leadership, organizational culture, institutional capacities, resource allocation and results.
5. Assess the effectiveness of existing UNCT coordination, leadership and accountability mechanisms for gender equality, including the role, capacities and functioning of the UN Gender Theme Group and other relevant inter-agency structures and mechanisms.
6. Assess institutional capacities and available technical mechanisms for gender mainstreaming, including capacities of UNCT entities to apply gender-responsive approaches, generate and use gender analysis and sex-disaggregated data, monitor gender equality results, and strengthen accountability for gender equality commitments.
7. Facilitate the validation of the Scorecard findings and ratings with the UNCT and relevant inter-agency stakeholders, promoting collective reflection, learning, shared accountability and ownership of the comprehensive assessment.
8. Develop, in consultation with the UN Gender Theme Group and relevant UNCT entities, a practical and results-oriented Action Plan based on the findings of the comprehensive assessment, setting out priority actions, responsibilities and proposed timelines to address identified gaps and strengthen UNCT performance against UNCT-SWAP standards during implementation of the UNSDCF 2026–2030.

The comprehensive assessment and resulting Action Plan will provide the UNCT in Armenia with an evidence-based accountability and planning framework to strengthen system-wide performance on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and to support the effective implementation of gender equality commitments under the UNSDCF 2026–2030.

B) Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP).,

1. Gender equality assessment and situation analysis, identifying key gender gaps, barriers, needs, risks, and priority areas.
2. Stakeholder consultation report summarizing findings from interviews, meetings, focus groups, and/or workshops with relevant stakeholders.
3. Draft Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP), including objectives, priority areas, proposed actions, responsible parties, timelines, targets, and resource requirements.
4. GEAP monitoring and results framework, including indicators, baselines where available, targets, data sources, reporting frequency, and responsible parties.
5. Validation workshop to present and discuss the draft GEAP with relevant stakeholders and collect feedback.
6. Final Gender Equality Action Plan incorporating feedback from the organization and stakeholders, including a detailed implementation and monitoring framework.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

A. UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

1. Inception Phase: Desk Review, Methodology and Workplan Development

The consultant will undertake a comprehensive desk review of relevant UNCT strategic, programming, monitoring, coordination and accountability documents and develop the methodology and detailed workplan for conducting the comprehensive UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment.

The desk review will include, but not necessarily be limited to:

• UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Technical Guidance and Framework, including the most recent methodology and performance indicators;
• Armenia’s previous UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment, annual progress reports and related Action Plans, as applicable;
• UNCT-SWAP comprehensive assessments and relevant good practices from comparator countries, where useful;
• Common Country Analysis (CCA) and relevant updates;
• United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030, including its results and monitoring framework;
• Relevant documentation from the preceding Cooperation Framework cycle, where necessary to assess progress and continuity;
• UNCT joint workplans, joint programmes, funding frameworks, monitoring and reporting documents, and other relevant planning and programming documentation;
• UNCT meeting records and relevant decisions related to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls;
• UN Gender Theme Group Terms of Reference, workplans, reports, meeting minutes and other relevant documentation;
• Documentation of Results Groups, thematic groups and other relevant inter-agency coordination mechanisms;
• Available documentation on UNCT gender equality results, capacities, financial resources, partnerships, communications and organizational culture;
• Relevant national gender equality strategies, policies and frameworks, where applicable to the assessment; and
• Any other documentation required under the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard methodology.

Based on the desk review and initial consultations, the consultant will prepare an inception report, including a detailed methodology, assessment approach, evidence requirements, stakeholder consultation plan and workplan for completion of the exercise.

1. Assistance and support for the IAT with the Comprehensive UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Assessment

The consultant will provide technical and facilitation support for the comprehensive assessment in close consultation with the UNGTG, relevant UNCT entities and the designated inter-agency assessment mechanism. The consultant will:

• Collect, organize and review the data, documentation and evidence required to assess the UNCT against all applicable UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard performance indicators and criteria;
• Conduct gender analysis of the verification documents and other evidence required under the UNCT-SWAP methodology to help the IAT assess performance;
• Support IAT assessment of UNCT performance across the seven UNCT-SWAP dimensions: Planning; Programming and Monitoring and Evaluation; Partnerships; Leadership and Organizational Culture; Gender Architecture and Capacities; Financial Resources; and Results;
• Support IAT assessment of the extent to which gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are effectively mainstreamed throughout the UNSDCF 2026–2030, including its results framework, implementation arrangements, monitoring and reporting mechanisms;
• Conduct consultations and working sessions with relevant UNCT stakeholders, including UNGTG members, programme and monitoring and evaluation personnel, Results Groups and thematic groups, Operations Management Team and other inter-agency mechanisms, as relevant;
• Facilitate structured discussions with relevant stakeholders to review evidence, assess performance and agree on ratings against the UNCT-SWAP performance indicators;
• Identify achievements, strengths, gaps, challenges, good practices and opportunities for strengthening gender mainstreaming and accountability across the UNCT;
• Complete the UNCT-SWAP rating matrix, including evidence, analysis and justification for the proposed ratings, based on the documentation reviewed and consultations undertaken;
• Facilitate validation of the preliminary findings and ratings with the UNGTG and relevant UNCT stakeholders; and
• Prepare the key findings and supporting analysis for presentation and discussion with the UNCT, including Heads of Agencies.

1. Reporting, Validation and Development of the Action Plan

Based on the comprehensive assessment, the consultant will prepare the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard report and facilitate the development and validation of an Action Plan to strengthen UNCT performance. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Draft the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment Report with inputs from the IAT, including the methodology applied, evidence reviewed, assessment findings and ratings for each performance indicator, good practices, identified gaps and challenges, and recommendations for improvement;
• Document any methodological or operational limitations encountered during the assessment, including gaps in available evidence, data or access to relevant stakeholders;
• Develop, in consultation with the UNGTG and relevant UNCT entities, a results-oriented Action Plan based on the assessment findings, setting out priority actions, responsibilities, indicative timelines and relevant follow-up measures to strengthen UNCT performance against UNCT-SWAP requirements;
• Ensure that the proposed Action Plan is aligned with and contributes to the implementation and monitoring of gender equality commitments under the UNSDCF 2026–2030 as well as the system-wide Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP);
• Present the draft comprehensive assessment findings, ratings and proposed Action Plan to the UNGTG, IAT and relevant inter-agency stakeholders for review, feedback and validation;
• Present and/or provide technical inputs for the presentation of the comprehensive assessment findings and proposed Action Plan to the UNCT, including Heads of Agencies, for discussion and feedback;
• Incorporate comments and recommendations received through the validation process;
• Finalize the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment Report, rating matrix and Action Plan for submission in the UNCT SWAP Platform in accordance with UNCT-SWAP requirements and UNCT feedback;
• Support the IAT in responding to any comments on the report during the quality assurance process

B) Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP)

• Gender Equality Assessment and Situation Analysis: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing gender equality situation, including a review of relevant policies, strategies, institutional arrangements, available data, and existing practices. The assessment should identify key gender gaps, inequalities, barriers, needs, risks, and opportunities, as well as the underlying factors contributing to these gaps. The analysis should provide clear findings and recommendations and identify priority areas to be addressed through the Gender Equality Action Plan.
• Stakeholder Consultation Report: Conduct consultations with relevant internal and external stakeholders through interviews, meetings, focus group discussions, workshops, and/or other appropriate participatory methods. The consultations should capture stakeholders’ experiences, perspectives, needs, challenges, and recommendations related to gender equality. The consultant should prepare a consolidated consultation report summarizing the key findings, common concerns, identified priorities, and recommendations that will inform the development of the GEAP.
• Draft Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP): Develop a comprehensive draft GEAP based on the findings of the gender equality assessment and stakeholder consultations. The draft should establish clear strategic objectives and priority areas and propose practical and achievable actions to address identified gender gaps and barriers. For each action, the GEAP should specify responsible parties, implementation timelines, expected results, measurable targets, and indicative resource requirements to support effective implementation.
• GEAP Monitoring and Results Framework: Develop a comprehensive monitoring and results framework to enable systematic tracking of the implementation and effectiveness of the GEAP. The framework should include relevant quantitative and qualitative indicators, available baselines, realistic and measurable targets, data sources and collection methods, reporting frequency, and responsible parties. It should also establish mechanisms for periodic review of progress and adjustment of actions where necessary.
• Validation Workshop: Prepare and facilitate a validation workshop with relevant stakeholders to present the findings of the assessment and the proposed Gender Equality Action Plan. The workshop should provide an opportunity for participants to review and discuss the proposed objectives, priorities, actions, indicators, targets, responsibilities, and implementation arrangements. The consultant should document stakeholder feedback, recommendations, and agreed revisions and incorporate them into the final GEAP.
• Final Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP): Prepare and submit the final GEAP incorporating comments and recommendations received from the organization and relevant stakeholders during the review and validation process. The final document should provide a clear and practical roadmap for advancing gender equality, including agreed objectives, priority areas, activities, responsibilities, timelines, targets, resource requirements, and a detailed implementation and monitoring framework. The final GEAP should be structured as an operational document that can guide implementation, progress monitoring, and reporting.

Throughout the assignment, the consultant will maintain regular coordination with the UN Women Programme Specialist based on Armenia, serving as Chair of the UN Gender Theme Group in Armenia, and work closely with the UNGTG, the Resident Coordinator’s Office, IAT and relevant UNCT entities to ensure that the assessment is completed in a participatory, evidence-based and timely manner.

Deliverables and timeline

A. UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard

• Deliverable 1 – Inception Report: Inception report outlining the methodology, detailed workplan, stakeholder consultation approach, evidence requirements, and data collection and analysis tools for conducting the comprehensive UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard assessment in Armenia (by September 30, 2026 - 3 days).
• Deliverable 2 – Draft Comprehensive Assessment and Action Plan: Draft UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment, including the completed draft rating matrix, supporting evidence and analysis, key findings, strengths, gaps and good practices, and draft Action Plan, incorporating inputs from the UN Gender Theme Group (UNGTG), IAT and relevant UNCT entities. (by October 20, 2026 - 14 days).
• Deliverable 3 – Validated Draft Assessment: Validated draft UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment Report, rating matrix and Action Plan, incorporating feedback from the UNGTG and relevant inter-agency stakeholders and presented to the UNCT, including Heads of Agencies, for feedback. (by November 5, 2026 - 3 days).
• Deliverable 4 – Final Comprehensive Assessment and Action Plan: Final UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment Report, completed rating matrix and Action Plan, incorporating inputs and feedback from UN entities, the UNGTG, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), Heads of Agencies and other relevant stakeholders. (by November 12, 4 days).
• Deliverable 5 – Final Presentation: Final PowerPoint presentation summarizing the assessment methodology, ratings, key findings, good practices, gaps, recommendations and agreed priority actions for strengthening UNCT performance on gender equality during implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030. (by January 20, 2027 - 1 day).

B. Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP)

• Deliverable 1 - Gender Equality Assessment and Situation Analysis Report: A comprehensive report presenting the findings of the gender equality assessment, including a review of relevant policies, strategies, institutional arrangements, available data, and existing practices. The report will identify key gender gaps, inequalities, barriers, needs, risks, and opportunities and provide recommendations and priority areas for consideration in the GEAP. (by October 10, 2 days)
• Deliverable 2 - Stakeholder Consultation Report: A consolidated report documenting the stakeholder consultation process and summarizing findings from interviews, meetings, focus group discussions, workshops, and other consultations. The report will capture key concerns, experiences, needs, priorities, and recommendations raised by relevant stakeholders and demonstrate how these findings will inform the GEAP (by October 15, 2 days).
• Deliverable 3 - Draft Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP): A comprehensive draft GEAP developed based on the gender equality assessment and stakeholder consultations. The draft will include strategic objectives, priority areas, specific actions and activities, expected results, responsible parties, implementation timelines, measurable targets, and indicative resource requirements (by October 25, 5 days).
• Deliverable 4 - GEAP Monitoring and Results Framework: A practical monitoring and results framework for tracking the implementation and effectiveness of the GEAP. The framework will include quantitative and qualitative indicators, available baselines, targets, data sources and collection methods, reporting frequency, responsible parties, and arrangements for periodic progress review (by October 30, 2 days).
• Deliverable 5 - Validation Workshop and Summary Report: Preparation and facilitation of a validation workshop with relevant stakeholders to present and review the draft GEAP. The deliverable will include presentation materials and a concise summary of stakeholder feedback, recommendations, agreed changes, and key conclusions arising from the validation process (by November 2, 1 day).
• Deliverable 6 - Final Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP): A finalized GEAP incorporating comments and recommendations received from the organization and stakeholders. The final document will include agreed objectives, priority areas, actions, responsibilities, timelines, targets, resource requirements, and a detailed implementation, monitoring, and reporting framework. (by November 10, 3 days).

One payment of 100% will be made upon satisfactory completion of all deliverables and at the end of the consultancy.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy.

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 visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of gender mainstreaming tools, including gender-responsive M&E.
• Excellent facilitation, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks independently.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master's degree or equivalent in social and political sciences, human rights, gender equality etc;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

Experience

• At least 5 years with Master’s degree or minimum 7 years with Bachelor’s degree of relevant professional experience in international development is required;
• Experience in gender data collection and analysis, including interviews, survey and focus groups, is required;
• Experience with the UN on gender equality is desirable;
• Previous experience with the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix is desirable;
• Previous experience working on results-based management, review and/or evaluation is desirable;
• Experience in conducting gender training for staff of development agencies is desirable;
• Computer skills, internet communication and command of MS Office are required.

Languages:

• Excellent writing and communication skills in English
• Knowledge of Armenian is an asset.

Statements:

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, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, 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 to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel 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.