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

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 the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. It leads and coordinates UN efforts to ensure that gender equality commitments are translated into action globally, in line with key frameworks such as CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda.

In 2008, the UN Sustainable Development Group (now UNSDG) endorsed the UN Country Team (UNCT) System-Wide Action Plan (SWAP) Gender Scorecard, “Accounting for Gender Equality”, as a UNCT accountability tool to assess gender mainstreaming efforts. This was developed in response to the UN Chief Executives Board’s 2006 policy on gender equality. In 2023, a revised version, the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard, was launched, aligning with the SDGs and harmonized with the UN-SWAP.

The 2016, 2020 and 2024 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Reviews (QCPRs) and the 2019 UNSDG Guidance on the UNSDCF all emphasize using the UNCT SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard as a central planning and reporting tool. It calls for active and meaningful participation of both women and men, and the empowerment of women and girls, as per UNSDG-endorsed minimum requirements.

In Timor-Leste, the UNCT has shown strong commitment to advancing gender equality through regular use of the Scorecard. This year, a Comprehensive UNCT-SWAP assessment will be carried out to inform the planning, implementation and monitoring of the new UNSDCF 2026 – 2030 cycle, ensuring that gender equality remains a central pillar of UN programming in the country. The UNCT’s performance under the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard will also inform its efforts in line with the Gender Equality Acceleration Plan (GEAP), providing a roadmap for how the UN can advance.

As the successor to the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), the UNCT in Timor-Leste developed its first nationally owned UNSDCF (2021-2025) and is now in the process of developing its next UNSDCF (2026–2030). The framework is anchored in national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda, and the UNSDCF guiding principles.

The UNSDCF 2026–2030 outlines the strategic programmatic collaboration between the UN system and the Government of Timor-Leste through four Outcomes under four Strategic Priority Areas: (1) Social Capital and Inclusive Services; (2) Economic Development; (3) Disaster and Climate Resilience and Resilient Infrastructure; and (4) Democratic Governance and Institutional Framework. These areas aim to address the challenges and risks to accelerating and achieving the SDGs.

Under this UNSDCF cycle, four Results Groups (RGs) will be established to enhance coherence and strategic cross-sectoral collaboration, ensuring complementarity between intervention areas.

Objectives:

The main objective of this consultancy is to facilitate the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard and assess the effectiveness of the UNCT in Timor Leste in gender mainstreaming, promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment as well as to provide a set of actions for improvements. This exercise will:

• Assist the UNCT in identifying areas in which they are meeting or not meeting minimum UNSDG minimum requirements on gender mainstreaming practices and performance.
• Support the UNCT in identifying where technical assistance can support the achievement of minimum requirements and/or strategies for advancing in areas where they are underperforming.
• Inform a constructive dialogue within the UNCT about the current status of support for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and how it can be improved.

The Inter-Agency Assessment Team (IAT) will be established, comprising representatives from the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), GTG, RGs, the UN Communications Group, and the Operations Management Team (OMT), to support this process and work alongside the Consultant on the implementation of the UNCT-SWAP process. This team will ensure the assessment is carried out in a participatory and timely manner, with the support of the Consultant.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities:

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of UN Women Timor-Leste Head of Office, the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Consultant will be responsible for leading on and facilitating the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Comprehensive Scorecard exercise- including by guiding and supporting the IAT, within the stipulated timeframes:

1. Background document review, development of inception report defining methodology, process, data collection instruments, timeline (4 working days):

Documents to be reviewed:

• UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard 2023 Technical Guidance and Framework
• UNCT-SWAP reports for Timor-Leste during 2021 – 2025
• UNCT-SWAP Action Plan 2021-2025
• Current country CCA and UNSDCF or equivalents
• 2019 UNSDG United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Guidance
• UNCT planning, budgeting, and programming documents
• GTG Work Plans
• Other relevant documents to the exercise such as the CEDAW related reports

2. Prepare and facilitate a UNCT-SWAP orientation during the UNCT meeting

Conduct an orientation session for UNCT members to introduce the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard Comprehensive Exercise, including its purpose, structure, and key components. The session will clarify roles and responsibilities, outline an effective reporting process, and provide guidance on how to use assessment findings to identify gaps, document best practices, and develop advocacy messages for both internal and external audiences. Following the same and supported by the GTG and RCO, the Consultant will guide the establishment of the IAT.

3 Assist and support the in-country assessment:

• Prepare and lead a dedicated orientation for IAT members on the assessment process and support the mapping and assignment of Performance Indicators between IAT members, and timelines for the overall assessment process. Additionally, support the creation of an on-line repository of documents to inform the assessment – by performance indicator.
• Facilitate working sessions with and provide technical support to key stakeholders, such as the Resident Coordinator; Heads of Agencies; key programme staff; M&E teams, partners, etc. to discuss and score areas of performance.

4. Assistance and support to the IAT for reporting and development of action plan

• Conduct gender analysis of verification documents required to help the IAT rate areas of performance.
• Complete the rating matrix, based on discussions had with the IAT collectively on the preliminary findings of the assessment, and the outcomes of the same.
• Draft UNCT-SWAP narrative report, with inputs from IAT.
• Prepare Action Plan based on agreed follow-up action points identified through the assessment
• Debriefing with GTG and RCO on the key findings to inform a discussion with the UNCT.

5. Validation and finalization of SWAP Comprehensive Assessment Report and Action plan

• Facilitate a debrief with the UNCT HOAs to discuss findings and proposed actions.
• Complete the UNCT-SWAP narrative report and Action Plan based on feedback, including from the UNCT HOAs.
• Address comments and recommendations of the SWAP Gender Score Card Secretariat and finalize inputs to the SWAP online platform by set deadlines.

Deliverables:

Tranche # Deliverables Delivery Date Tranche amount
Tranche 1

Inception report submitted and approved, outlining the proposed methodology, tools, and timeline for implementation of the assignment;

Desk review is conducted;

UNCT orientation session conducted, including the development and presentation of relevant briefing materials tailored to the country context.

25 Sept 2026
30% of contract amount
Tranche 2

The in country assessment is completed and the assistance and support to IAT for the reporting and development of Action Plan is provide.

Draft UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard Comprehensive Report and the Action Plan are submitted for review and comments by the UNCT.

16 Oct 2026
40% of contract amount
Tranche 3
Validation and Submission of Final UNCT-SWAP GE Scorecard Comprehensive Assessment Report and Action Plan endorsed by UNCT by the set deadline.
6 Nov 2026
30% of contract amount

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:

• Knowledge of gender mainstreaming and understanding of the UN as a system; knowledge of the UNCT-SWAP Gender Equality Scorecard is highly desirable.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Good n analytical and report writing skills.
• Strong research and communication skills
• Ability to work independently, to work under pressure and deliver within timelines;

Performance Evaluation

Consultant performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Duty station and travel arrangements

This is a home-based consultancy. However, the Consultant may be expected to travel as part of official duty required under this consultancy. In such an event, the Consultant’s travel will be processed by UN Women in line with our Duty Travel Policy.

Qualifications

Education:

• Advanced (Masters) degree in social and political sciences, human rights, gender equality and other relevant field of study.

Knowledge and professional experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in the field of gender mainstreaming in development programmes/projects at national and international levels;
• At least 3 years’ experience of work on results-based management, review and/or evaluation;
• Experience in gender data collection and analysis, including interviews, survey and focus groups is an asset;
• Previous experience with the Gender Equality Scorecard, narrative report and follow-up matrix is an asset;

Language:

• Fluent in written and spoken English language

Application procedure:

The following documents should be submitted as part of the online application:

• Cover Letter and CV incl. proof of education certificate/ diploma
• Financial Proposal

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