National Consultant to support the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Thailand in the area of ending violence against women

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's focus on Ending Violence Against Women

Violence against women (VAW) is one of the most widespread violations of human rights worldwide, globally affecting around one in three women in her lifetime. Regional evidence suggests that a similar rate applies in the Asia-Pacific region, with wide ranging differences in specific contexts and populations. VAW is a human rights violation resulting in immediate and long-term physical, sexual, economic, and mental health consequences for the survivors. The impacts of VAW goes beyond survivors affecting families, communities, and countries. However, research suggests that VAW is preventable. Elimination of VAW requires a holistic approach focusing on both response to and prevention of VAW at different levels from individual, community, institution, societal and governmental levels.

The work of Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Section within UN Women's ROAP maintains a comprehensive approach to ending violence against women. This includes gender transformative approaches to building environments and institutions that do not accept violence, that support gender equality, and that hold perpetrators of violence accountable. The approaches of the EVAW section focus on evidence and practice-based knowledge production and dissemination, informing legislation and policies, prevention and social norms change, ensuring quality essential services for survivors, creating safe public spaces in different settings and supporting women's rights organisations and movements to end violence against women.

UN Women is implementing an initiative funded by the EU, titled “PROTECT: Protection of the Rights of Women and Children in Labour Migration” in partnership with ILO, UNODC and UNICEF. UN Women programming is focusing on project implementation in Cambodia and Thailand, with ASEAN engagement.  The PROTECT project will promote decent work, while reducing the vulnerabilities of women and children in the context of labour migration, in particular through preventing and responding to violence against women and children, human trafficking and migrant smuggling. 

Within the PROTECT project, UN Women is leading the focus areas on response to and prevention of violence against women. This will include developing and supporting multidisciplinary response systems, national plans and strategies, and support cooperation among diverse stakeholders linking violence against women and children, labour migration and trafficking thematic areas. 

To support the implementation of the planned project activities under the Output 1.2: “Strengthened capacities of competent regional and national institutions for the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of regional and national frameworks on prevention and response to violence against women, including migrants.” UN Women is planning to hire a national consultant to provide technical support to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Thailand in the area of ending violence against women, including women migrant workers.  

The consultant will be supervised by the Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Programme Specialist in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The deliverables and the performance of the consultant will be closely coordinated and validated with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Thailand. 

Description of Responsibilities and Scope of Work

Under the direct supervision of the Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Programme Specialist in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and in close coordination with the ACWC Thailand representative, the incumbent shall be responsible for the following tasks:

1.Facilitate and ensure close coordination with ASEAN in the domain of ending violence against women and girls, with a particular emphasis on the development of the forthcoming ten-year RPA on EVAW 2026-2035.

Key activities include:

• Support the coordination of the ASEAN 10-year RPA on EVAW by working closely with ACWC representatives, the ASEAN Secretariat, the Technical Working Group and UN Women to define timelines, key action steps and follow up processes.
• Provide technical support to ACWC Thailand by synthesizing and analyzing data, and information on laws and policy frameworks to address violence against women, including migrant women among others. 
• Assist with policy research by gathering and summarizing relevant reports, legislation, and best practices related to EVAW, with a focus on supporting ACWC Thailand's initiatives within ASEAN. Assist in the development and maintenance of shared monitoring tools and calendar to track project progress, key events, activities, and forthcoming consultations related to EVAWG initiatives.
• Assist in drafting policy briefs and knowledge products by compiling inputs from stakeholders and formatting documents for dissemination.
• Compile and analyze background materials including paper-based and consultation-based inputs.
• Submit work plan developed for the assignment. Work plan is a living document to be reviewed and updated quarterly and agreed with supervisor.

2. Provide technical support to prepare, facilitate and document key meetings and consultations. 

Key activities include:

• Facilitate and coordinate engagements with ASEAN on EVAW, particularly on the development of the forthcoming ASEAN 10-year Regional Plan of Action on Elimination of Violence against Women (ASEAN RPA on EVAW) 2026-2035. 
• Support ACWC representative and UN Women in Committees, Technical Working Groups, and ASEAN meetings by preparing draft Concept Notes and Agendas, talking points, meeting minutes, briefs, and concise updates concerning the process, background materials for consultations, including analysis of information from paper-based and consultation-based inputs, and PowerPoint presentations as required. 
• Assist with policy research by gathering and summarizing relevant reports, legislation, and best practices related to EVAW, particularly for migrant women.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for ACWC Thailand’s engagement in ASEAN-led initiatives, including scheduling meetings, preparing background documents, and compiling meeting notes, inputs including coordination with ASEAN Secretariat, ACWC representatives, and ASEAN stakeholders as assigned.
• Coordinate with civil society organizations (CSOs) by maintaining contact lists, sending invitations for consultations, and summarizing key takeaways from meetings.
• Submit monthly progress report about activities implemented and results achieved, with documentation of contributions and deliverables produced.

3. Coordinate the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and other initiatives related to both ASEAN and ACWC's efforts in the area of ending violence against women and girls.

Key activities include:

• Review and provide substantive inputs and feedback on relevant Concept Notes, documents, policy briefs, and communication products developed by ASEAN and other key stakeholders in the area of ending violence against women and girls.
• Organize advocacy events, ensuring smooth administrative and logistical arrangements including media engagement, press releases, social media content and promotional activities. All media and public communications must receive prior approval from UN Women and ACWC Thailand. 
• Support media and digital advocacy efforts by assisting in content creation, scheduling social media posts, and compiling engagement analytics for EVAW-related campaigns.
• Assist in the coordination and execution of events, including the International Migrants Day, International Women’s Day, and other ACWC Thailand/UN Women-led or co-hosted campaigns and events, with focus on women migrant workers among others. 
• Contribute to knowledge management and outreach efforts by conducting substantive research, compiling inputs and feedback on concept notes, policy briefs, and other key documents developed by ASEAN on 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign in line with the first RPA EVAW provisions and ACWC priorities among others.
• Submit monthly progress report about activities implemented and results achieved, with documentation of contributions and deliverables produced.

4. Other Duties: 

• Assist in the planning and organizing capacity-building activities, workshops, and consultations, including venue arrangements, participant coordination, preparation of event materials, and outreach for training sessions.
• Facilitate the drafting and dissemination of knowledge resources on several media outlets, as per the request. 

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy. 

The assignment will require partial presence on UN Women premises. The consultant may be required to travel on official mission, and in such case, the travel will be arranged by UN Women and the costs will be covered based on UN Women travel policy.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity 
• Integrity 
• Professionalism 

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:

• Excellent analytical skills; 
• Excellent writing skills; 
• Strong knowledge of Asia and the Pacific processes and systems; 
• Strong networking skills; 
• Strong inter-personal skills, communicate effectively with both internal and external partners; Ability to work in a highly pressured environment.  
• Sound and robust analytical skills, with competency to synthesize, process information and develop time into reports and knowledge products in timely manner.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree or higher in the field of Gender Studies, Social Science, Law, Political Science, international relations, or related development fields is required;
• 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:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience, with demonstrable expertise in VAW response services and systems, including in project development/coordination, with advanced sound writing skills and proven track record of managing projects is required. 
• Experience working on violence against women related to migrant workers is an asset. 
• Experience of working with government, NGOs and civil society organizations related to ending violence against women is required.
• Experience working with ASEAN or similar government institutions is required.
• Experience in producing knowledge products such as reports and/or policy recommendations is an asset.
• Experience facilitating learning sessions such as workshops and seminars is an asset.
• Previous experience of working with UN Agencies is an asset.

Languages:

• Excellent writing in English and Thai required.

How to Apply 

• Interested candidates are encouraged to submit an electronic application no later than 27th March 2025, Midnight New York Time
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)

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.