National Consultants to Provide Expert Support on Inclusion and Gender Mainstreaming to EU Accession and Recovery, Kyiv, Ukraine, SSA

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.

In Ukraine, UN Women delivers results across its strategic priorities through its triple mandate of normative support, UN system coordination, and operational activities, mobilizing urgent and sustained action to advance gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Prior to the full-scale invasion, UN Women had already been actively supporting national priorities, including women’s political participation, gender-responsive public policy, and women’s economic empowerment. In Ukraine, by 2029, UN Women aims to ensure that more women and girls, including those at the greatest risk of being left behind, lead, influence, and benefit from inclusive gender-responsive humanitarian action, governance, recovery, rights, and economic growth. One of the priorities of UN Women’s work in Ukraine focuses on enhancing national and local capacities of government, women’s rights organizations (WROs), and women activists to drive gender-responsive governance, advance the EU accession process, and implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda while safeguarding the rule of law, human rights and gender equality.

Ukraine has made a range of efforts for European integration, starting from an Association Agreement which was signed by the EU and Ukraine signed in 2014. Provisional application of important parts of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement began on 1 November 2014: on the respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law; political dialogue and reform; justice, freedom and security; economic and financial cooperation. In 2019, Ukraine incorporated European and Euro-Atlantic integration into its Constitution as a strategic course. In 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the immediate granting of candidate status for EU membership to Ukraine, and the European Council granted Ukraine the status of a candidate for accession to the EU. In 2023, European Council made historical decision to open negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. In 2025, Ukraine reached an important milestone on its EU accession path with the completion of the bilateral screening with the European Commission.

On 1 April 2026 the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the National Programme for the Adoption of the EU acquis (NPAA). The national programme has been drawn up on the basis of screening reports and benchmarks (criteria) set by the EU and is structured in line with the negotiation clusters and chapters. The document contains 1,875 tasks, which involve the implementation of 1,699 acts of European Union law, including approximation to the EU gender equality and human rights law and policy, and the consistent application of human rights and gender mainstreaming across all sectors, policy areas, and levels of government. Accession negotiations are complex and require technical administrative expertise and resources for absorbing the EU Gender Equality acquis. Capacities, processes and procedures for consistent gender mainstreaming are to be put in place across sectors and levels of governance, posing a challenge to absorbing the EU gender equality acquis.

At the same time, the full-scale armed invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022, which is a grave violation of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the UN Charter, caused untold destruction, displaced millions, and resulted in unacceptable violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and the most significant modern challenge to global peace and security. More than four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war continues to impact women and girls, as well as other vulnerable and marginalised groups, disproportionally. Women in Ukraine experience higher rates of poverty and displacement than men, worsening inequalities, and multiple types of gender-based violence, including conflict related sexual violence. Despite women’s engagement at the forefront of the humanitarian, defence and early recovery efforts, barriers to their representation in formal decision-making and to equality in the workplace persist. The recovery and reconstruction of post-war Ukraine offers an opportunity to address many of the country’s longstanding inequalities between men and women. Despite the consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion since 2022, the Government of Ukraine has demonstrated that women’s rights and gender equality remain a priority, through the adoption of gender responsive policies and legislation in 2022-2026. It is crucial that these policies and legislative commitments are translated into action to deliver a gender equal and inclusive society. Implementation of Ukraine’s recovery agenda should match this political goodwill and ensure a gender transformative approach which not only applies to the rebuilding of physical infrastructure but expands to all socio-economic spheres including social protection, labour force participation, care economy, education representation, peace building, security and defense, as well access to quality services such as legal aid, psychological, sexual and reproductive health, political decision making, etc.

In response, in 2023, the Government of Ukraine established the Platform for Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusive Recovery (the Platform) under the Government Commission on Coordination of Executive Bodies for Ensuring Equal Rights and Opportunities of Women and Men, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro Atlantic Integration. Its primary mission is to facilitate cooperation among various stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society, and international organizations, to ensure that gender equality and inclusion are central to Ukraine's recovery process. To ensure participatory approach, the Platform also created the CSO Consultative Panel. The Platform is working in coordination with the Sectorial Working Group “Gender Equality” of the Government-donor coordination architecture, co-chaired by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro Atlantic Integration, the Government Commissioner of Gender Equality Policy and Embassies of Canada and Sweden. The Platform is also closely coordinating with the Alliance of Gender-Responsive and Inclusive Recovery, initiated by the Ukrainian and German governments together with UN Women in 2024.

UN Women recognizes that Ukraine's EU accession and recovery processes need inclusion, meaningful engagement and participation of different groups of women and men. In order to support the national partners in inclusive and gender-responsive EU accession and recovery, UN Women has introduced a range of the activities to strengthen capacities of the institutions of the National Women’s Machinery, namely the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Governmental Office of Coordination of European and Euro Atlantic Integration and the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy. As part of its work and to enhance the efforts of the Government of Ukraine on the way to inclusive and gender-responsive EU integration, UN Women is looking for a National Consultant to Provide Expert Support on Inclusion and Gender Mainstreaming to EU Accession and Recovery to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women Representative in Ukraine and direct supervision by the Programme Specialist, the National Consultants will provide support to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy, with expert and technical support on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery.

The consultants will report to the Programme Specialist, and will be supported by Programme Analyst, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

All reports should be submitted in English and include the full set of supporting documents, such as analytical briefs, meeting notes, event reports, concept notes, agendas, handouts, and lists of participants, etc. The supporting documents can be submitted in Ukrainian.

The assignment will include, but not be limited to the following tasks developed in coordination with the institutions of the Office of the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy and UN Women:

• Supporting the coordination and communication of the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy with the relevant institution in the Government and Parliament of Ukraine on identifying the priorities on inclusion and gender mainstreaming to the EU accession and recovery processes. Coordination support will include: Consultants’ Workplace and Official Travel This is a Kyiv-based consultancy. This is a partial office-based consultancy. Outputs #
  Outputs
  Number of working days
  Deadlines
  1
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  15 September 2026
  2
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  16 October 2026
  3
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  4 December 2026
  4
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  22 January 2027
  5
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  22 February 2027
  6
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  22 March 2027
  7
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  22 April 2027
  8
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  21 May 2027
  9
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  22 June 2027
  10
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  21
  23 July 2027
  11
  A progress report on support provided to the Apparatus of the Government Commissioner on Gender Equality Policy on inclusion and gender mainstreaming in EU integration and recovery is submitted.
  16
  16 August Inputs Consultants’ Workplace and Official Travel This is a Kyiv-based consultancy. This is a partial office-based consultancy. Travel is not anticipated by the assignment, in case the need to travel arises, all travel arrangements will be made based on UN Women’s rules and regulations. Required Qualifications Education and Certification: Experience: Languages: Competencies : Core Values: Core Competencies: Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: Functional Competencies: 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.
  • Supporting coordination of communication on the adaptation of the Ukrainian legislation with EU acquis;
  • Supporting coordination and communication on inclusion and gender mainstreaming to the recovery processes;
  • Supporting the Secretariat of the Platform for Ensuring Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion in Recovery .
  • Providing expert support via legal and policy advice on inclusion and gender mainstreaming to the EU accession and recovery, it will include, but not limited to:
    • Screening of the national legislation relevant to specific EU negotiating chapters and inclusion/non-discrimination and gender-relevant EU acquis
    • Developing propositions on how to bring Ukrainian legislation in line with the EU acquis to ensure inclusive and gender-responsive recovery.
    • Providing policy advice on inclusion/non-discrimination and gender mainstreaming to the EU integration and recovery processes, including the monitoring process of the Ukrainian legislation to be in line with EU acquis in all chapters of the negotiation process.
    • Preparing analytical materials, including presentations, on inclusion and gender mainstreaming to the EU accession and recovery, as well as supporting Enlargement Package Reports.
    • Facilitating public discussions and dialogues, as well as multistakeholder consultations on inclusion/non-discrimination and gender equality issues, including government, parliament, development partners and CSOs, in particular those, representing different women's groups.
    • Supporting and organizing training activities to develop the capacity of all relevant stakeholders at the national and local levels on the inclusion/non-discrimination and gender equality within EU integration and recovery.
  • The Consultant is expected to work using her/his own computer.
  • The Consultant is expected to take mandatory UN Women trainings.
  • Advanced (Masters) degree in Law, Public Policy and Administration, International Relations, Gender Studies, Social and Humanitarian Sciences, or related fields are 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.
  • At least 1 year of relevant work experience (after Master’s degree) in the field of human rights and/or gender equality, governance and public administration, civil service or other related fields;
  • Proven experience in providing legal support to the government institutions on alignment of the Ukrainian legal framework within the EU accession process;
  • Previous experience with the EU institutions and accession process will be considered an asset;
  • Experience with UN Women and other UN agencies will be considered as an asset;
  • Proven understanding of human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and national and international GEWE commitments in Ukraine;
  • Proven knowledge of EU acquis, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment frameworks.
  • Experience with coordination and technical support of meetings and consultations with government authorities.
  • Fluency in verbal and written English and Ukrainian is required.
  • Knowledge of any other UN official language is an asset.
  • Integrity;
  • Professionalism;
  • Respect for Diversity.
  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
  • Accountability;
  • Creative Problem Solving;
  • Effective Communication;
  • Inclusive Collaboration;
  • Stakeholder Engagement;
  • Leading by Example.
  • Good analytical skills.
  • Ability to work with various monitoring and reporting tools.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to build alliances, negotiate.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing constructively to shared objectives.
  • Ability to adjust priorities and approaches as needed.