National Experts on Gender Audit in the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU)
Remote | Kyiv
- Organization: UN WOMEN - United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women
- Location: Remote | Kyiv
- Grade: Internship - Internship
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Occupational Groups:
- Accounting (Audit, Controlling)
- Border and Customs
- Medical Practitioners
- Women's Empowerment and Gender Mainstreaming
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Security and Safety
- Internal audit, Investigation and Inspection
- Emergency Aid and Response
- Closing Date:
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 work in Ukraine focuses on supporting the Government and civil society organizations (CSOs) in advancing gender equality and implementing national and international commitments on gender equality and women’s human rights. One of the key areas of UN Women's work in Ukraine is the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. To further support the consolidated efforts of the Parliament, Government, and women’s groups to meet the state commitments on gender equality and women’s rights, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)2, UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 13253 and Sustainable Development Goals4 (SDG), through governance reforms and peace and security processes, as well as the State Strategy for Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities for Women and Men until 20305 and its Operational Plan (2025-2027)6 , National Action Plan for the Implementation of UNSCR 1325 “Women, Peace, and Security” (2026-2030), UN Women launched the project “Ukrainian Women at the Frontlines of Demining and Recovery”, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada and the project “Promoting Women’s Participation in Mine Action” in Ukraine, funded by the Government of Croatia. The projects address the war’s detrimental impact on Ukraine’s labor market, safety, and recovery by transforming societal norms that restrict women’s participation in critical sectors while addressing the often-overlooked mental health needs they face. This dual approach is essential for women’s sustained employment and successful integration into the workforce.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGSU) are strategic partners of UN Women within the projects. To implement task 6.4 of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming the Security and Defence Sector of Ukraine (2023-2027), approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (СMU) on August 23, 2024, No. 792-r7, to integrate gender equality into the internal policies, processes and structures of the SESU and SBGSU and to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and men, including improving the regulatory framework, capacity building and awareness raising, improving the monitoring system, internal administrative and personnel policies, advocacy and information campaigns, the SESU and SBGSU plan to conduct a Gender Audit (GA) of the central, regional directorates and higher education institutions (HEIs).The GA will be conducted based on the existing methodology approved by the Order of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine (MoSP) №448 dated August 9, 2021 “On Approval of Methodological Recommendations for Conducting Gender Audits by Enterprises, Institutions and Organizations”8, the Gender Self-Assessment Guide for the Police, Armed Forces and Justice Sector, developed by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF)9and tools, which will be adapted to the needs of the assessment.
To support these efforts, UN Women is now seeking two National Experts to build the SESU and SBGSU capacity through trainings, working group sessions to apply the GA data collection and analysis methodology, and technical advice to the SESU and SBGSU on conducting the GA in the central offices, regional directorates and HEIs. National Experts will support the SESU and SBGSU through technical advice and adaptation of the methodology and tools (if needed), analysis of internal documents, policies, and administrative sex-disaggregated data, the process of primary data collecting, processing and analysis, and contributing to the development of recommendations based on the GA key findings.
Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work
Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist, the National Experts will provide the SESU and SBGSU with expert, coordination, and technical support on conducting the GAs. The assignment will include, but not be limited to, the following tasks developed in coordination with the SESU, SBGSU and UN Women:
In consultation with the SESU and SBGSU GA working groups and UN Women, develop a detailed Roadmap for conducting a GA, including role and responsibility allocation, proposed timelines, etc.
Facilitate expert discussions, consultations, and technical meetings of the SESU and SBGSU Working Groups to develop proposals for conducting GAs.
Review and adjust (if needed) the GA methodology based on the GA methodology approved by the Order of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine (MoSP) №448 dated August 9, 2021 “On Approval of Methodological Recommendations for Conducting Gender Audits by Enterprises, Institutions and Organizations”, and the Gender Self-Assessment Guide for the Police, Armed Forces and Justice Sector, developed by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
Analyse internal documents, official websites, social media pages, and policies of the SESU and SBGSU central offices, regional main directorates, and HEIs related to advancement or equal rights and opportunities for women and men within the service. Additionally, review sex- and age-disaggregated statistics of SESU and SBGSU personnel (SESU and SBGSU will provide all needed documents and administrative data). The SESU and SBGSU documents for review will be divided between the two National Experts.
Prepare and conduct a series of workshops for the SESU and SBGSUin the central offices, regional directorates and HEIs, who will be involved in the GA, to raise their awareness and strengthen institutional memory.
Develop a questionnaire and guide for primary data collection, which includes key informant interviews and an online survey. Additionally, organize the process of collecting and processing primary data in accordance with an approved GA methodology and tools. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting at least twelve interviews in each of the SESU and SBGSU within the central offices, regional main directorates, and HEIs.
Conduct a detailed analysis of all collected primary data, including multivariable analysis of a survey to identify any possible differences by sex and age of the respondents.
Draft and present the report of the GA of the SESU and SBGSU, including key findings, recommendations, risks and mitigation measures, and lessons learned, based on the analysis of internal documents, administrative statistics, and collected primary data.
Facilitate the development, revision, or updating of the SESU and SBGSU ’s plans, strategies, and regulations based on the GA recommendations (in consultation with the SESU and SBGSU).
Prepare monthly reports to UN Women and the SESU and SBGSU on the implementation of tasks and the results achieved.
The gender audit at SESU is planned for the period from 12 January to 11 June, 2026, and at SBGSU from 12 June to 11 November, 2026.
National Expert’s Workplace and Official Travel
This is a home-based consultancy with visits to the SESU, SBGSU and UN Women offices as agreed and needed.
Financial arrangements
Payments will be disbursed on a monthly basis upon submission and approval of the monthly reports.
The level of remuneration will be defined based on the UN salary scale.
Inputs
UN Women, SESU and SBGSU will provide the National Experts with background materials related to the assignment.
The National Experts are expected to work using her/his own computer.
SESU and SBGSU will provide the National Experts with space and access to internal documents.
National experts are expected to take mandatory one-day individual first aid training at the beginning of the assignment and upon availability of trainings.
*All reports should be submitted in English and include the full set of supporting documents, such as results of analytical briefs, capacity development materials, handouts, etc. The supporting documents can be submitted in Ukrainian.
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:
- Good knowledge of the technical area of Women, Peace and Security, with a focus on the Security and Defence Sector.
- Good data collection and analytical skills, strong report writing competencies.
- Proficiency in coordinating activities among interagency groups, commissions, and working groups.
- Proven experience in planning and conducting gender assessments, gender analyses, gender-responsive evaluations, and working with gender-sensitive data
- Strong interpersonal skills to build alliances, negotiate partnerships, and drive collaborative advocacy efforts.
IV. Required Qualifications
Education and Certification:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public administration, law, social science, security and defence, international relations, international human rights, gender studies/or related fields.
Experience:
- At least five years of relevant work experience in the field of human rights and/or gender equality, governance and public administration, research and development, or other related fields.
- Proven experience in planning and conducting gender assessments, gender analyses, gender-responsive evaluations, and working with gender-sensitive data.
- Previous experience of drafting and providing advisory/technical support to the government institutions on the issues of gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE).
- Experience with coordination and technical support of meetings and consultations with government officials.
- Proven understanding of human rights as well as national and international GEWE commitments in Ukraine.
Languages:
- Fluent in both Ukrainian and English.
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.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.