UN Women - International Consultancy - Programme Planning and Coordination Consultant, Home-based

II. Consultancy Assignment

Background/Context

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 Myanmar Country Office (MCO) has been operational in the country since 2013, successfully delivering its mandate through various phases of political transition, the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 military coup and recurring natural disasters. In response to the multilayered crises in Myanmar, the MCO continues to deliver across the humanitarian development nexus in one of the most constrained and uncertain operational environments. In partnerships with women led organizations, UN Women invests in providing essential lifesaving protection services, building community -based response systems and resilience structures as well provide women and women led households with economic empowerment through income generating skills and assets. The MCO programmes are fully aligned with the 4 key strategic priorities in the current UN Transitional Country Framework (UNTCF) 2024-26. UN Women is an active member in the UNCT providing leadership on GEWE, including through inter-agency mechanisms to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). In Myanmar, UN Women co-chairs the UNCT Gender Theme Group and the GEWE Cooperation Partner Group.

In 2026, the United Nations in Myanmar is developing a three-year UN Transitional Country Framework (UN-TCF). In parallel, UN Women MCO is preparing its three-year Strategic Plan. The development of these planning frameworks presents a critical opportunity to ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) commitments remain a shared priority across the UN system and are fully integrated into the system-wide coordination mechanisms currently being established.

Within this context, UN Women Myanmar Country office is seeking to hire a Programme Planning and Coordination Consultant to strengthen MCO’s normative coordination mandate at the country level and provide technical support to strengthen gender commitment in the UN Planning Frameworks and UN Women’s strategic planning process.

Objectives of the Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Country Representative and in close coordination with relevant units, the Programme Planning and Coordination Consultant will support system-wide coherence on gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) through UN Country Team (UNCT) coordination mechanisms, with a focus on UN TCF, while also ensuring the coordination and support to the development of the MCO’s strategic planning processes. This includes supporting the implementation of annual work plans for inter-agency GEWE mechanisms such as the UNCT Gender Theme Group, GEWE Cooperation Partner Group providing technical support on gender mainstreaming, and facilitating capacity development and knowledge exchange.

Additionally, the Consultant will contribute to internal planning processes in line with corporate norms and standards. This includes supporting integration of Results-Based Management (RBM) principles into project documents, concept notes, as well as collaborating with team members to define, prepare, and document different business cases and specifications for project lifecycle in alignment with the organization’s Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Policy and related procedures.

The Consultant will work closely with the UN GTG co-chair, UN agency gender focal points, UN Women Myanmar staff, and the Regional Office.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Duties and responsibilities:

Provide support to the Country Representative in strategic planning process for the Myanmar Country Office

• Provide technical support to CO in the development of country level planning instruments, such as strategic note, work plans, programme/ project documents.
• Collaborate with regional Evaluation Specialists and country M&E focal points to ensure that findings and lessons from evaluations are reflected in strategic planning processes;
• Provide technical support to joint inter-agency UN planning processes, including gender mainstreaming in the development of UN Transitional Cooperation Framework (UNTCF), joint workplans, M&E frameworks, joint programmes and the application of the Gender Equality Marker (GEM)

Provide support to the Country Representative and Country Office on inter-agency coordination.

• Coordinate the UNCT Gender Theme Group and other relevant inter-agency mechanisms, including providing guidance and technical support on the Gender Equality Marker;
• Facilitate meaningful engagement of Women’s Civil Society Organizations (W-CSOs) in ensuring gender commitments within the relevant UN coordination mechanisms;
• Coordinate gender coordination bodies co-chaired by UN Women (including the UNCT Gender Theme Group and GEWE Cooperation Partner Group), and manage the development, implementation, and reporting of their annual work plans;
• Coordinate the UNCT-SWAP Annual Reporting.
• Provide relevant analysis and advice to Country Representative on engaging United Nations Country Teams (UNCT) and Resident Coordinators (RCs) on GEWE priorities;
• Provide relevant substantive support for representation at conferences, high-level meetings, joint programme development, joint advocacy and research.

Facilitate capacity building and knowledge management

• Support capacity development on gender-responsive M&E and contribute to integration of gender equality into the UNTCF M&E Framework.
• Provide support to the development and dissemination of good practices and lessons learned; ensure incorporation into programme planning;

Partnership and resource mobilization

• As part of strategic planning, provide support and advice to Country Office in identifying and implementing strategic partnerships to strengthen UN Women’s positioning in country
• Provide technical support to the development of strategic partnerships and country level resource mobilization efforts, including through drafting briefing packages/concept notes
• Support with activities and other promotional events to engage bilateral and multilateral institutions/ donors, private sector and civil society to expand and/or sustain interest and resources for UN Women programmes and joint UN system programmes;

Management Arrangements

The consultant will be home based with travels to Myanmar as necessary. She/he is expected to organize their working time to be within the Myanmar time zone. The Consultant will be provided with the necessary information, access to needed documentation, materials and logistics. Selected candidate is expected to have her/his own laptop.

Performance Evaluation

Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Key Performance Indicators

• Effective coordination support of the GTG, SWAP reporting and GEWE Cooperation Partner Group
• Timely and high-quality technical support provided to the Country Representative and Country Office in strategic planning, Results-Based Management (RBM), and programme development.
• Effective coordination and contributions to UNCT planning and reporting process.
• Quality technical inputs and guidance on gender mainstreaming, gender-responsive M&E, and the application of gender equality markers.
• High-quality briefing materials, reports, and knowledge products prepared for high-level meetings and decision-making.
• Successful facilitation of capacity development, knowledge sharing, and documentation of good practices on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Strengthened partnerships with positive feedback from UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders on UN Women’s coordination and collaboration.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy with potential travel to Myanmar.

III. 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 Core Values and Competencies: https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) issues, the UN system, and inter-agency coordination for gender mainstreaming;
• Excellent writing, reporting, and analytical skills with strong confidence in Results-Based Management (RBM);
• Strong organizational, time management, and interpersonal communication skills (oral and written);
• Capacity to synthesize performance data, produce high-quality analytical reports, and support strategic decision-making;
• Ability to conceptualize and lead the formulation and implementation of strategies;
• Proven ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet strict deadlines while handling sensitive issues with professionalism and maturity.

IV. Required Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree in Political or Social Science, Economics, International Development Studies, Gender/Women's Studies is required

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project and programme development, strategic planning, coordination support, or change management;
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring, reporting, knowledge management, and applying gender equality principles in programme management and M&E;
• Knowledge of the Myanmar context and/or work experience in the Asia-Pacific region and/or conflict-affected settings;
• International development experience with a strong focus on programme and project management, particularly in advancing gender equality;
• Demonstrated experience in inter-agency coordination for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) across the development-humanitarian nexus, including engagement with international partners, civil society, and government;
• Strong background in advocacy, communication, and knowledge management.

Experience of working with UN Agencies in similar capacity and context

• Experience of working with and in collaboration with UN Agencies, especially UN Women, will be an asset
• Familiarity with Myanmar or conflict-affected countries context is an advantage.

Application:

• All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment. Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment.

Language:

Fluency in English (oral and written) is essential.

V. How to Apply

• Personal P11 (P11 can be downloaded from: https://www.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/About Us/Employment/UN-Women-P11-Personal-History-Form.doc )
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns, or other materials.