Gender Equality National Mechanism Expert - Armenia

Job Description

Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire a Gender Equality National Mechanism Expert. DI is implementing the USAID-funded Protection, Inclusion and Empowerment (PIE) activity, which aims to support disadvantaged and marginalized populations in Armenia through needed legal/regulatory framework changes, improved services, and intensified cooperation between the government and non-governmental actors to address the needs of vulnerable populations. It will do so through five interrelated components: 1) inclusion, protection and empowerment policy and legislative reform, 2) improved inclusion, protection, empowerment services for vulnerable and marginalized groups, 3) enhanced protection and inclusion of those affected by instability and violent hostilities/conflict, 4) outreach, communications, research regarding social sector policy and services, and 5) adaptive social protection to address the impacts of global or domestic crises. As part of this, DI is supporting the Government of Armenia (GOAM) in strengthening the GOAM’s capacity to effectively conduct public outreach and communication regarding policy and legislative reforms; address research gaps on women, security and gender; and access social protection services including strategic communication and outreach to vulnerable groups. This will be a consultant position based in Yerevan, Armenia. Armenia has signed international conventions on gender equality that require its commitment to continuing to improve legislative and policy framework on gender equality. In line with this commitment, the country has developed an updated Gender Equality Strategy for 2019–2023. This strategy lays out Armenia’s goals and plans to integrate gender considerations into different areas, including gender equality and empowerment national mechanism enhancement. DI will support GOAM in enhancing its national gender equality mechanism and its capacity to effectively enforce the mechanism. Typically serving as central coordinating units for women’s affairs within national governments, national mechanisms promote the integration of gender equality measures across national policies and programs. National mechanisms are also vital partners in the process of developing national actions to achieve international agreements on women’s rights. This project will capture the evolution of the role of national mechanisms and identify potentials in Armenia as well as the challenges faced by national mechanisms. It will highlight the achievements of the new mechanisms, the interrelationships between the different bodies and the implications for the future roles of national machineries.
Democracy International (DI) is seeking to engage an international consultant to fulfill the role of Gender Equality and Empowerment National Mechanism Expert (the “Expert”), tasked with delivering international experience in gender equality and empowerment national mechanisms. The aim is to recommend, based on international best practices, to the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MLSA) which model will best operate in Armenia. The expert shall also collaborate with a national expert on Gender Equality and Empowerment National Mechanism to facilitate the localization of the recommended model.



Essential Duties:

• Research and compare international best practices on gender equality mechanisms, including documenting successful models and strategies implemented in other countries with a similar political and legal context to Armenia
• Conduct a comparative analysis between the current national mechanism and successfully operating international models
• Tailor international best practices to suit the cultural, social, legal, and political context of Armenia
• Coordinate with a national expert to make recommendation on integrating a well-defined model into the legal and policy framework of Armenia
• Prepare a report on the localization of the model recommended to operate in Armenia encompassing recommendations on a possible mandate of the mechanism, legislative basis of mandate, mechanism’s scope of work, role, functions, policy working, strategy development, formulation of action plans, gender mainstreaming, capacity building tools, monitoring and accountability and coordination and collaboration.
• Present key findings and recommendations revealed from the analysis and report to relevant stakeholders
  
  
  

Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in international gender equality, women issues, empowerment, inclusion; 5 years of which is in the area of gender equality and empowerment national mechanism (GENM) development
• Proven expertise in developing national gender equality mechanisms or consulting states on GENM mandates, structures and principles
• Strong knowledge of the gender equality national mechanisms standards, regulations and principles
• Demonstrated experience in conducting analytical research, reporting, and research coordination
• Advanced degree in relevant field such as gender equality studies, law, international development, public policy
• Knowledge of and experience in Armenia or regional context is an asset
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English
  
  
  

Deliverables:

• Comparative Analysis Report. Minimum of 30 pages comparing five international models on gender equality and empowerment mechanisms against the current Armenian gender equality mechanism, including a recommendation on which model will best operate in Armenia.
• Recommended Localization Model for Armenia Report. Minimum of 40 pages on the localization of the recommended model for Armenia, including legal and structural recommendations on the mandate of the to-be-established gender equality and empowerment mechanism in Armenia.
  
  
  

Reporting:

• This position reports to DI’s Inclusion Specialist based in Yerevan.
  
  
  

Level of Effort and Compensation:

It is expected that the Expert will work an anticipated 25 days on this assignment for a period until March 30, 2024. The Expert will only be compensated for days agreed in writing by the PIE team and when written reports are submitted on-time and of an acceptable quality. If travel is required, DI will bear the travel expenses in accordance with its travel policy.



Application Process:

Interested applicants MUST submit a cover letter and CV including their daily rate. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified. DI will only consider applications submitted by January 31, 2024.

About the Organization

DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries.

DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.