Consultant to undertake a study to understand career motivation and barriers among women working in disaster risk reduction in the Asia-Pacific region

Result of Service - A survey to gather the perspectives and views of women and men working in DRR is conducted and analysed - A report is developed that identifies career motivation, leadership status and barriers faced by women working in disaster risk reduction based on the survey results, and makes recommendations on what WIN DRR should prioritise in order to promote and support the careers of women working in DRR across the Asia-Pacific region. - A presentation that outlines the key findings of the report and identifies strategies on how to improve and progress women’s leadership in DRR. - Participation in an event where the findings of the research are shared.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration The contract duration will be from 1 June 2022 – 30 December 2022 for an expected 24 days work within this time-period.

Duties and Responsibilities A. Background

This study is being undertaken as part of UNDRR’s flagship women’s leadership programme, the Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR), which is supported by the Government of Australia. WIN DRR aims to empower women and enhance their role in decision-making in disaster risk reduction in the Asia-Pacific region by promoting and supporting women’s leadership.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction outlines the inclusive, all-of-society approach that must be taken to reduce disaster risk. It acknowledges both the specific vulnerabilities that women face in disasters, due to pervasive gender inequality that exists across all societies, while recognising the indispensable role of women in risk reduction efforts. The Sendai Framework emphasises that a gender equitable and universally accessible approach is key, and it calls for the mobilisation of women’s leadership in building resilience.

Women’s participation in decision-making is enshrined in international human rights frameworks including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, yet there is still great disparity in the number of women playing a leadership role in disaster risk management. In Asia 95% of the Heads of National Disaster Management Agencies are men, and in the Pacific 86% are men – there are just three women leading National Disaster Management Agencies across the region. Among the 41 Sendai Focal Points in the Asia-Pacific region, 37 are men and four women. The Governing Board of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) is composed of 9 men and 1 woman.

B. Duty and Responsibility

The Consultant will be responsible for conducting a study to understand career motivation, leadership status and barriers faced by women working in disaster risk reduction in the Asia-Pacific region. This will be based on an accessible online questionnaire that the Consultant that will get a picture of men’s and women’s workplace experiences, including for example, how they are treated by others, the availability of role models, experiences with discrimination, and the quality of their relationships inside and outside of work. The results of the questionnaire will be analysed so that the study can look at the impact that these experiences have on women’s and men’s psychological engagement, including their motivation, ambition, their sense of fitting in and belonging, their feelings of authenticity or feeling like an imposter; and then in turn, examine how these impact on workplace outcomes including performance, pay, promotion and progression, as well as job satisfaction, health and well-being. The quantitative measures will be supplemented with a number of qualitative questions to get a more in-depth understanding of people’s experiences.

The research aims to examine why fewer women are leading formal disaster risk reduction efforts, and the perceptions that both men and women working in disaster risk reduction have of the extent to which women have decision-making power in DRR. The research will identify the barriers to women’s careers in DRR, explore the ways in which workplace outcomes are different for men and for women, what predicts these differential outcomes, and what opportunities there are to redress this.

The findings will be used as an evidence base to develop and implement interventions to address issues of gender inequality, and improve worker’s satisfaction, well-being and performance. The research will identify strategies that WIN DRR can implement to promote and support the careers of women working in Disaster Risk Reduction across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Gender Advisor, UNDRR.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Management or any other relevant field. A PhD in Psychology, Gender, Management or Social Sciences is desirable. Experience: At least 10 years of relevant research experience related to gender equality, leadership, human resources, organizational and social psychology is required.

Gender research experience, including strong understanding of how leadership is impacted by discrimination, and the role of gender in influencing women’s careers is required. Experience in research methodologies including developing and analysing surveys is required. Experience writing reports, and research publications related to women’s leadership is required. Language: Fluency in English and excellent written communication skills is required.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.