UN Women: Private Sector Engagement Consultant (Chinese Nationals Only), Home-based, Beijing, China, National Consultant

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. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality are translated into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts while building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

In China, UN Women China Office is committed to delivering on its Strategic Note (2026-2030), which outlines its obligations, commitments, and actions under the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the People’s Republic of China (2026-2030). The office’s work contributes to UN Women’s Global Strategic Plan (2026-2029) and is closely aligned with national priorities of the People’s Republic of China and other international conventions and commitments including The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Through UN Women’s unique triple mandate, the UN Women China Country Office supports and carries out work on (i) women's economic empowerment (including gender and climate); (ii) high-quality social services and social protection (including ending violence against women); and (iii) global partnerships and sustainable financing for gender equality and women’s empowerment. The office’s work is further supported and catalysed through policy analysis, strategic partnerships – including with private sector partners, strategic communications, and operations.

To support the achievement of the Strategic Note and UNSDCF, the office will continue engaging private sector organizations – including international and domestic companies, business associations and networks, philanthropic organizations, family offices, and high-net worth individuals in China.

Aligned with UN Women’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy (2023-2025), the office has a history of partnering with private sector organizations on several fronts, including:

• UN Women global private sector flagship initiatives such as the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) – a set of principles and global platform established by UN women and UN Global Compact to offer guidance and resources to business on how to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.
• Resource mobilization efforts.
• Strategic convenings, communications and advocacy.
• Policy / industry research and analysis support.
• Programme design and implementation – including in areas related to gender-responsive workplaces, sustainable finance for gender equality, and others.

Moreover, in 2026, UN Women Asia Pacific launched the Asia Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards to recognize exemplary efforts by businesses in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community, in alignment with the WEPs. With more than 2,000 applications submitted from over 1,000 companies across over 20 Asia-Pacific countries and regions since 2020, the Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards have become the leading regional platform to showcase and inspire private sector leadership and innovation to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. In support of the 2026 WEPs Asia Pacific Awards, UN Women China will support local engagement in China, including the awards process and a national awards ceremony with key partners in Q4 2026.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Partnerships, the Consultant is responsible for implementing the office’s private sector engagement strategy. This includes collaborating with programme teams and functional teams to advance private sector engagement and partnership building, as well as resource mobilization efforts. Importantly, the Consultant will play a key role in managing the national process and milestones for the 2026 Asia Pacific WEPs Awards.

Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Partners to implement the office’s private sector engagement strategy, aligned with UN Women China’s Strategic Note (2026-2030) and UN Women’s Global Private Sector Engagement Strategy. In addition to the specific deliverables, the Consultant may support on other tasks and activities that contribute to the achievement of these deliverables.

Deliverables

In particular, the consultant is expected to undertake the following functions and activities:

Deliverable Expected completion time (due day) Payment Schedule

National-level WEPs Awards process supported

• General FAQ support to companies applying from China provided in a timely manner
• At least 50 WEPs Awards applications from companies in China received and initial scoring for all applications completed
• Jury panel of external experts secured and onboarded
• Shortlisted companies selected and notified

Detailed workplan and supporting documents for 2026 China WEPs Awards Ceremony

• Detailed plan of key activities, key partners (e.g., government, media, etc.), tentative guest list, and timelines for delivering ceremony in Q4 2026
• Concept note, invitations, presentation materials, and other materials and documents required for the ceremony
• Event venue and logistics plan
• Draft marketing and communications content
• Other supporting documents as needed

5-10 targeted and high-quality outreach to high potential private sector organizations for strategic partnership and/or resource mobilization opportunities

New sponsors secured for 2026 China WEPs Awards Ceremony

By 30 Sep 2026 50%

National-level WEPs Awards process completed

• Scoring for shortlisted companies completed
• National WEPs Awards companies selected

2026 China WEPs Awards Ceremony held

• Post-event communications
• Summary of lessons learned and further opportunities to engage WEPs Award winners

Targeted support for 2026 Asia Pacific WEPs Awards process and ceremony

5-10 targeted and high-quality outreach to high potential private sector organizations for strategic partnership and/or resource mobilization opportunities

By 31 December 2026 50%

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy, with possibility to present at the UN Women Office in China for meetings and consultations (schedule to be agreed later with supervisor). The Consultant is required to undertake regular update meetings with the Head of Partnerships. Broader meetings with the China Country Office programme team and other team members as well as other UN agencies will be required as well.

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:

• Great knowledge of the private sector context in China.
• Strong people and networking skills, especially among private sector stakeholders.
• Strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong analytical, writing and presentation skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.
• Ability to provide advice, coordination, and support across multiple workstream / pillars.
• Strong planning and organization skills.
• Good knowledge and understanding of international commitments on gender equality and SDGs.