Gender Responsive Conflict Specialist Research - International Consultant - Home Based

The consultant will conduct a rigorous, evidence-based, and gender-responsive conflict analysis focused on the Arab States region to inform UN Women's advocacy, policy engagement, and programmatic interventions related to Women, Peace and Security (WPS). The consultancy is home-based with potential travel to Cairo or other countries as needed, lasting approximately five to six months.

Responsibilities

• Conduct a gender-responsive conflict analysis anchored in the four pillars of the Women, Peace and Security agenda: participation, prevention, protection, and relief and recovery.
• Analyze actors and context including roles, relationships, and capacities of diverse actors influencing conflict and peace dynamics.
• Examine gendered root causes, drivers, and triggers of conflict and how conflict reshapes women's rights and protection risks.
• Analyze gender dimensions of key thematic issue areas such as legal reform, security sector governance, transitional justice, political participation, humanitarian response, climate change, and economic recovery.
• Develop actionable, evidence-based recommendations for UN Women's advocacy, policy, and programming linked to WPS implementation across the Arab States region.
• Maintain regular communication with the Regional WPS-HA Advisor and WPS team, providing progress updates and addressing methodological or contextual challenges.
• Adhere to UN Women's evaluation and research ethical standards, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, do-no-harm principles, and safety of research participants.
• Prepare a detailed workplan and deliverables over the consultancy period of five to six months.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent in gender studies, political science, international relations, conflict studies, development studies, and/or any related field;
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Advanced university degree in gender studies, political science, international relations, conflict studies, development studies, and/or any related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant professional experience in conflict analysis, gender research, or peacebuilding, with a strong focus on the Arab States region and/or any related field;
• Demonstrated expertise in gender-responsive conflict analysis research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches is required;
• Strong knowledge of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and relevant international normative frameworks is desirable;
• Demonstrated familiarity with feminist political economy, masculinities studies, and social norms change frameworks, and the ability to apply these analytically in conflict-affected contexts is desirable;
• Proven experience engaging with UN system processes, regional intergovernmental bodies, and civil society in conflict-affected contexts is desirable;
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in English; proficiency in Arabic is desirable;
• Prior experience working with or for UN Women or other UN agencies is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Skills

• Gender-responsive conflict analysis
• Conflict analysis research methodologies
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Research
• Gender Research
• Peacebuilding Processes
• Women Peace and Security Agenda
• International Normative Frameworks
• Feminist political economy
• Masculinities studies
• Social norms change frameworks
• Conflict-affected contexts analysis
• UN System Engagement
• Regional intergovernmental bodies engagement
• Civil Society Engagement
• Analytical Writing
• English Language Proficiency

Languages

English, Arabic