Research and Production Consultant

Background

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women works for the empowerment of women and girls, elimination of discrimination and equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Research and Data Section in the Policy Division is responsible for leading UN Women’s research and data agenda. Among other work, it produces UN Women’s flagship publications: Progress of the World’s Women, The World Survey on the Role of Women in Development, and the new Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda). * 

*Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a new flagship report of UN Women that will provide a comprehensive and authoritative assessment of progress, gaps and key challenges in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from a gender perspective. The report will be based on analysis of available data to assess global and regional trends in achieving the SDGs for women and girls as well as in-depth qualitative country studies that examine how the SDGs are being implemented at the national level. By generating high quality data and policy lessons, the report will be a key reference and accountability tool to be used by governments, women’s organizations, the UN system and other stakeholders. The report will be published on a biennial basis by UN Women’s research and data section. The inaugural edition is tentatively scheduled for January 2018.

The consultant will support the team coordinating the Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda Report in research, production, outreach and coordination efforts, under the supervision of its manager and coordinator. The consultant will utilize research and analysis skills, while also drawing on a solid coordination background. They will be required to support the team in the preparation of fact sheets and other materials relating to the Gender Equality in the 2030 Agenda Report. The overall objective of this role is to help ensure that the final product contains the highest quality, most up-to-date research and data, and that after the launch, the report is disseminated to the widest possible audience through multiple outreach strategies. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Assist in coordination of the production of the report and its associated products, culminating in report’s launch:

• Support the team in developing the report’s content by undertaking research assistance and drafting content, including summaries, boxes, fact sheets and literature reviews, and investigating sources to assist chapter authors in background research on the report’s themes.
• Support communication and coordination with the project’s print and website design vendors on services, and with the production focal point in UN Women Communications team, as needed.
• Support communication and coordination of editing and translating services, as needed, and support editorial, reference and fact checking processes.
• Participate in brainstorming meetings and in-house discussions on various aspects of the report production, including strategic and substantive discussions on the theme and structure of the report.

Contribute to communications and outreach activities, including in logistical, substantive and strategic preparation of all launch and advocacy events:

• Contribute to developing the overall outreach and communications strategy for the project, including ensuring that distribution lists are current, and researching potential audiences and avenues for further dissemination, and identifying and liaising with potential collaborating partners on advocacy events.
• Provide logistical support to launch events, especially the global launch, as well as for regional and country launch events and ongoing advocacy events.
• Assist, as needed, in the preparation of materials for the launch and ongoing advocacy efforts, including fact sheets and other presentation materials, and maintenance of online presence.
• Contribute to communications and outreach activities, including serving as the logistics focal point for launch and advocacy events. Support website maintenance, as needed.
• Assist in preparation of the final layout of the report in three languages, working with the report coordinator in liaising with the designer, translator and copyeditor.
• Assist in the outreach strategy for the report, including ensuring that distribution lists are current, and researching potential audiences and avenues for further dissemination.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling UN/UN Women values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates commitment to UN Women's mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favouritism. 

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in gender/women's studies, or development studies, social policy or human rights, with a strong focus on gender issues.
• At least two years of relevant professional experience working in international development and human rights.
• Excellent research, analysis, writing and editing skills, including ability to synthesize large amounts of research material into accessible summaries.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team with colleagues at all levels to meet tight deadlines and produce high quality work under pressure.
• Proven experience in project management and coordination, with a demonstrated ability to manage complex production tasks and events, coordinate logistics, and ensure completion of reports.
• Excellent advocacy and coordination skills, especially in knowledge product development and dissemination.
• Previous work experience in advocacy product coordination; advocacy product or major institutional report coordination. Such experience from within the United Nations system is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with intergovernmental processes and United Nations reporting guidelines preferred.
• Excellent command of English (oral and written). Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
• Ample knowledge and use of computer office tools (Word, referencing software, databases, spreadsheets, web content production, filing) is essential.
• Experience working with graphic designers, website designers, visual media producers, and other vendors is an asset.