UN Women: National Consultant on Youth Engagement for Gender Equality, Home-based, Turkiye

Background:

UN Women exists to advance women’s rights, gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. As the lead UN entity on gender equality and secretariat of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, UN Women shift laws, institutions, social behaviours and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world. UN Women’s partnerships with governments, women’s movements and the private sector coupled with its coordination of the broader United Nations translate progress into lasting changes.

In Türkiye, in line with its Global Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and Country Strategic Note (2026-2029), and the overall UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Türkiye (UNSDCF) (2026-2030), UN Women works towards the overarching goal of “Women and girls including those at greatest risk of being left behind fully exercise their human rights, enjoy a life free from violence and discrimination, and lead, influence and benefit from sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic development towards the advancement of gender equality in Türkiye”. UN Women works in four thematic areas: (i) governance and participation in public life; (ii) women’s economic empowerment; (iii) ending violence against women and girls; and (iv) women, peace and security, humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction. In line with its coordination mandate, UN Women promotes coordination and coherence across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and women’s empowerment, including through joint programmatic and advocacy actions and initiatives, standardized tools and guidance and services to strengthen the relevant capacities of the UN system.

Towards these goals, UN Women implements programmes and projects that aim to advance gender equality, improve women’s access to opportunities, rights, and services in political, social, and economic life, and combat gender stereotypes, discrimination, and violence, as required by international and national legal and policy commitments. UN Women collaborates with numerous partners – central and local level government authorities, civil society organizations, including women’s organizations and platforms, academia, private sector companies, and other UN agencies. It commits itself to the Leave No One Behind principle, by supporting targeted actions to remove the obstacles that marginalized and vulnerable groups of women face in accessing their rights and to promote them as agents of change. UN Women Türkiye has been at the forefront of support for Türkiye’s continuous commitment to implement international norms and standards on women’s rights, and the enhancement and implementation of relevant national legal and policy frameworks. The Country Office has been operational in Türkiye since 2012.

Globally and in Türkiye, UN Women engages with and supports civil society organizations (CSOs), in particular women's organizations, as key advocacy and knowledge partners, as well as implementing partners in operational activities in advancing women's economic, political and social rights. UN Women's work with civil society encompasses facilitating and expanding spaces for CSOs to come together for coordinated actions and to engage in dialogue with duty-bearers and decision-makers at local, national, regional and international levels, and in the context of inter-governmental processes. UN Women is focused on convening multi-stakeholder partnerships and engaging a wide variety of stakeholders, including men and boys and young people, to bring forth transformative change towards gender equality, in line with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Sustainable Development Goals and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. To serve this objective UN Women has been implementing the “Strong Civic Space for Equality and Women's Empowerment” since October 2024 to provide technical and financial support, tools and platforms for capacity development and data- and evidence-based advocacy to civil society organizations. Within the scope of this project, a capacity development programme targeting CSOs aims to enhance the advocacy and monitoring capacities of CSOs in integrating gender perspective in the policies and actions of climate change and disaster risk reduction.

Under this framework, UN Women Türkiye is implementing “Reimagining Gender Equality Across Generations and Communities" (Short name: Reimagining A More Equal Future) project, funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project aims to reduce gender inequalities by enhancing the ability of civic groups and young women to be agents of transformative change towards gender equality and women’s rights. The project started in January 2024 will have an implementation period of 3 years.

Under this project, UN Women Türkiye is working with local level civic groups, grassroots initiatives, young people, especially young women, and civil society organizations as knowledge partners, responsible parties, and advocates to promote and raise awareness on gender equality at grassroots level in various localities/municipalities to be identified. The intervention has a strong empowerment angle specifically targeting local level civic groups and young women and an advocacy component to be implemented particularly at the local level. The project also seeks active engagement of young men in partnership with young women for gender equality and ending gender-based discrimination and violence and to explore and challenge predominant notions of masculinities. Additionally, it fosters the intergenerational dialogue among young women and experienced current leaders of the women’s movement in Türkiye in a way to address the issue of further involvement of young women in civic activism and to learn from young women to integrate alternative advocacy approaches and strategies to appeal to a wider and a younger audience on gender equality. Finally, the project facilitates discussions among various organizations to devise strategies for countering anti-gender movements.

A key component of the project is to foster inclusive and transformative engagement of young women and young men from diverse regions, backgrounds, and experiences, with the aim of strengthening youth-led gender equality activism, leadership, and collaboration. These engagements seek to enhance young people’s capacities to act as agents of change for gender equality, both at the community level and in connection with international normative frameworks and commitments. As part of this effort, the project will implement and two youth gatherings designed as participatory, action-oriented spaces that bring together young women and young men to collaboratively address shared challenges related to gender inequality and social justice. These activities will bridge local realities with national and global gender equality agendas, encouraging innovative thinking, collective problem-solving, and youth-driven solutions. The youth gatherings will focus on thematic areas such as but not limited to youth leadership, civic participation, climate and environmental justice, and the role of young people in countering gender backlash and discriminatory norms. Through interactive methodologies, teamwork, and creative processes, participants will be encouraged to critically examine gender norms, explore positive and non-violent masculinities, and strengthen solidarity and partnership between young women and young men. These youth engagement activities will serve as dynamic platforms for dialogue, learning, and co-creation, enabling participants to exchange experiences, reflect on the role of digitalization and innovation in activism, and develop practical ideas and initiatives that contribute to advancing gender equality within their communities and beyond.

As part of the project’s youth engagement architecture, a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is established as an intergenerational, multi-stakeholder platform providing strategic guidance on youth engagement and gender equality. Composed of young women leaders, youth activists, civil society representatives, academics, and experts, the YAB serves as a mechanism to ensure that youth perspectives—particularly those of young women—are systematically integrated into project design and implementation. The Board contributes to identifying emerging needs, advising on inclusive and context-responsive approaches, and strengthening linkages between grassroots youth actors and broader policy and advocacy processes.

In this context, UN Women Türkiye plans to hire one National Consultant on Youth Engagement for Gender Equality to support the overall design, content development, facilitation support, and coordination of participatory youth-focused activities within the scope of the project. Working in close coordination with the Programme Team, the Consultant will contribute to the development of an engagement framework for youth-oriented activities and ensure that the summer gatherings are inclusive, context-specific, and strategically aligned with the project’s objectives on gender equality, positive masculinities, and youth-led change.

The Consultant will support the conceptualization and implementation of youth engagement activities designed as safe and collaborative spaces that bring together young women and young men as partners in advancing gender equality. In addition, the Consultant will support outreach and participant mobilization efforts, working closely with civil society organizations, youth platforms, grassroots initiatives, and UN Women partner networks to ensure diverse participation and that the targeted number of participants is reached, with attention to inclusion, representation, and local context.

The Consultant will work in close coordination with UN Women Türkiye and, as relevant, engage with the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) to ensure that youth-focused activities are shaped by its strategic insights, adopt participatory and gender-transformative approaches, and are implemented in line with the core principles and standards of youth work including voluntary participation, inclusiveness, youth-led approaches, non-formal learning, and empowerment of young people as active agents of change.

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Specialist, the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director, and will be supported by Programme Assistant who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Within the scope of the assignment, under the supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist and in close collaboration with the Programme Analyst, the National Consultant will work collaboratively to accomplish the following tasks:

Task I: Design and Content Development for Youth Gatherings

Develop the conceptual framework, thematic focus, and session content for:

• Two (2) Youth Gatherings ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives on gender equality, youth engagement, feminist movement-building, and the engagement of men and boys.
• Design participatory, youth-friendly, and interactive methodologies, including group work, challenges, discussions, creative exercises, and collaborative problem-solving approaches.
• Integrate cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, positive masculinities, intersectionality, digital activism, community-based advocacy, and countering gender backlash narratives.
• Ensure that content is context-sensitive, inclusive, and accessible to young people with diverse levels of prior knowledge and engagement.
• Provide facilitation support during the youth gatherings, as required, including moderation of sessions, group work, and discussions.
• Support the creation of safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces that encourage meaningful engagement between young women and young men.
• Work closely with the UN Women Türkiye programme team to ensure coherence between activity content and broader project strategies.
• Lead outreach and mobilization efforts to identify and recruit participants for the youth gatherings.
• Coordinate with civil society organizations, youth-led initiatives, grassroots groups, and existing UN Women partners to disseminate calls for participation.
• Utilize multiple channels (including CSO networks, social media platforms, youth platforms, and community-based mechanisms) to reach diverse young women and men.
• Ensure that the target number of participants for each activity is met, with attention to regional diversity, inclusion of marginalized groups, and balanced participation of young women and young men.

Task II: Support Facilitation and Implementation of Activities

• Provide facilitation support during the youth gatherings, as required, including moderation of sessions, group work, and discussions.
• Support the creation of safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces that encourage meaningful engagement between young women and young men.
• Work closely with the UN Women Türkiye programme team to ensure coherence between activity content and broader project strategies.
• Lead outreach and mobilization efforts to identify and recruit participants for the youth gatherings.
• Coordinate with civil society organizations, youth-led initiatives, grassroots groups, and existing UN Women partners to disseminate calls for participation.
• Utilize multiple channels (including CSO networks, social media platforms, youth platforms, and community-based mechanisms) to reach diverse young women and men.
• Ensure that the target number of participants for each activity is met, with attention to regional diversity, inclusion of marginalized groups, and balanced participation of young women and young men.

Task III: Participant Outreach, Mobilization, and Coordination

• Lead outreach and mobilization efforts to identify and recruit participants for the youth gatherings.
• Coordinate with civil society organizations, youth-led initiatives, grassroots groups, and existing UN Women partners to disseminate calls for participation.
• Utilize multiple channels (including CSO networks, social media platforms, youth platforms, and community-based mechanisms) to reach diverse young women and men.
• Ensure that the target number of participants for each activity is met, with attention to regional diversity, inclusion of marginalized groups, and balanced participation of young women and young men.

Task IV: Technical Review and Advisory Support to the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)

• Review and provide structured feedback on draft and final outputs produced by YAB working groups to ensure alignment with the core principles and standards of youth work, including participation, inclusiveness, and youth-led approaches.
• Offer technical advice to strengthen the quality, coherence, and actionability of YAB recommendations, ensuring they are gender-transformative, rights-based, and context-responsive.
• Facilitate feedback loops with UN Women Türkiye and relevant stakeholders to support the integration of diverse youth perspectives and ensure high-quality, evidence-based final deliverables.

Task V: Coordination and Technical Support to the Programme Team

• Maintain close coordination with the UN Women Türkiye programme team throughout the planning and implementation phases.
• Provide technical inputs and feedback related to youth engagement, participatory methodologies, and gender-transformative approaches.
• Support the programme team in ensuring that activities are implemented in line with UN Women principles, values, and programmatic priorities.

The total duration of the assignment is up to 20 working days until 10 December 2026. The Consultant is expected to work on a non-consecutive basis to support the design and facilitation of youth-focused activities within the scope of the project. The contract will be daily fee–based and payment will be made according to the actual number of days worked during the assignment period.

Payments will be made based on the provision of timesheets and supporting deliverables approved by the UN Women Programme Analyst who shall confirm Consultant’s work is completed and eligible for payment.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based assignment with travels to at least 3 provinces. UN Women Türkiye Office will cover the organization and the costs of the consultant’s travel as per UN Women’s rules and regulations. UN Women will not be responsible for covering any transportation costs within the duty station, including taxi fares.

Mandatory Training Courses

The Consultant shall complete all the mandatory and other required UN training courses and modules on time. The certificates shall be submitted to the supervisor and the HR focal point.

Multiple Contracts

It is permissible for a Consultant to be engaged by UN Women if the individual has a contract with another employer, provided that there is no actual or perceived conflict of interest and that the performance of the required services for UN Women is feasible (for example, where both contracts involve a part‑time work schedule).

Where the Consultant holds a full‑time contract with another employer, eligibility will be subject to the Consultant’s ability to present formal acknowledgement or approval from their primary employer confirming that engagement with UN Women is permitted. Candidates unable to provide such acknowledgement will not be considered eligible.

Taxes

The consultant is responsible for payment of any taxes that may be due on the gross fees received from UN Women for their services. UN Women has no liability for taxes, duties or other payments payable by the Individual Contractor on remuneration made under the contract.

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:

• Ability to gather and interpret data, reach logical conclusions, and present findings
• Ability to communicate sensitively, effectively and creatively across different constituencies
• Knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in general, and Türkiye specific context,
• Strong analytical skills
• Good organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced university degree) in gender studies, political science, social sciences, human rights or other relevant fields.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in gender equality may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in youth engagement, including demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of youth-focused programmes and initiatives, with a strong emphasis on gender equality, and rights-based or participatory methodologies. Demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating participatory and interactive activities, such as youth gatherings, workshops, trainings, or dialogue-based events, particularly within gender equality, feminist, or rights-based contexts, is required.
• Experience in engaging diverse stakeholders, including young women, young men, youth-led and women-led organizations, civil society organizations, and grassroots initiatives is required.
• Experience in the delivery of capacity development activities or trainings targeting youth and other stakeholders on gender equality, gender mainstreaming, positive masculinities, or related thematic areas, including design on participatory processes is desirable.
• Proven ability to document discussions and synthesize insights into clear, action-oriented reports or recommendations is desirable.
• Experience in preparing high-quality written outputs (e.g. reports, meeting summaries, concept notes) in both English and Turkish is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken Turkish and English is required.

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:

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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.