Sector-specific Gender Consultant on Digitalization

Consultant

Overview

Develop sector-specific gender mainstreaming guidelines for Digitalization.

You have:

• A Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Women’s Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Information and Communication Technology Policy, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related field with a demonstrable gender focus is required.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and the development of gender-responsive frameworks, policies, or guidelines.
• In-depth understanding of Digitalization as framed in the CTCN Third Programme of Work 2023–2027.
• Proven qualitative and quantitative research skills, including gender analysis methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience developing gender mainstreaming guidelines, tools, or frameworks for use by implementing organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and co-design processes.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, and timely delivery of outputs.
• Demonstrated understanding of intersectional gender analysis.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools for data analysis, document preparation, and communication.
• Experience working for the UN or other international organizations.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The ultimate outcome of the services will be the creation of sector-specific gender mainstreaming guidelines for Digitalization. These guidelines will be disseminated to implementing partners to ensure that gender considerations are integrated into both project planning and implementation processes. The consultant will report to the CTCN Director or such other person(s) as assigned by the Director.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

3 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN) promotes the accelerated development and transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low-carbon and climate-resilient development at the request of developing countries. Among its key services, the Centre provides tailored technology solutions, capacity building and knowledge sharing. The Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women in the realm of climate technology. Through its programmes and initiatives, CTCN ensures meaningful participation and benefits for women from sustainable solutions. Guided by its Gender Policy, CTCN's gender initiatives encompass technical assistance, capacity building, network engagement, knowledge sharing, and communication efforts. During the 27th Advisory Board Meeting in April 2026, the CTCN Secretariat presented its gender workplan, which emphasized the development of gender specifications for Digitalization as a Key enabler in CTCN’s 2023-2027 programme of Work. To advance these efforts, CTCN seeks a consultant to develop sector-specific gender mainstreaming guidelines, particularly focusing on Digitalization. These guidelines will be shared with CTCN’s implementing partners to integrate gender considerations into the implementation of Technical Assistance projects. • Conduct a comprehensive review of existing policies, frameworks and high-quality guidelines relevant to gender mainstreaming in Digitalization as a key enabler in the CTCN Programme of Work 2023–2027, including the CTCN Gender Policy and Action Plan 2023–2027, the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan (Decision 3/CP.25), the World Bank’s Closing Gender Gaps in Digital Development: A Practical Guide for Operational Teams (2024), the ITU–UN Women EQUALS Partnership framework, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021), the GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Reports, and the UN Women position paper on the Global Digital Compact (2024); • Conduct a gender analysis of Digitalization as defined in the CTCN’s Third Programme of Work 2023–2027, including its application across climate-relevant areas such as digital public goods for climate planning, artificial intelligence and machine learning for climate solutions, remote sensing and earth observation, digital financial services for climate investment, e-agriculture and precision farming, and smart grid and energy management technologies; assess gender-differentiated barriers, roles, and opportunities—including the digital gender divide in access, skills, affordability, and leadership—and apply an intersectional lens that accounts for differences related to ethnicity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and geography in developing country contexts; • Facilitate structured consultations including key informant interviews and focus group discussions with the CTCN Technical Assistance team, implementing partners (Both Private sector, NGO and governmental reps), National Designated Entities (NDEs), women’s organizations such as WECF and the Women and Gender Constituency, and gender experts, to identify best practices, evidence gaps, and practical entry points for gender integration in Digitalization technical assistance projects; • Develop sector-specific gender mainstreaming guidelines for Digitalization as aligned with CTCN’s Gender Assessment and Action Plan (GAAP), incorporating practical tools such as gender analysis checklists, sex-disaggregated data indicators, gender-responsive digital procurement criteria, indicators for women’s digital access and leadership, and implementation guidance for Technical Assistance Response Plans; drawing on comparable high-quality guidelines such as the World Bank’s Practical Guide for Closing Gender Gaps in Digital Development (2024), the ITU–UN Women EQUALS Partnership resources, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021), and the GSMA Connected Women guidance; • Coordinate a structured review and validation process with CTCN Secretariat, implementing partners, NDEs, and at least one external gender expert, incorporating feedback to ensure the guidelines are technically sound, practically applicable, and aligned with the CTCN Gender Policy and Action Plan 2023–2027; • Develop a concise capacity-building one-pager designed for use by CTCN implementing partners and NDE focal points, summarizing key gender considerations, practical steps, and relevant indicators for integrating gender into Digitalization technical assistance projects; • Present the finalized guidelines and accompanying materials to CTCN and its partners, and provide a brief implementation note outlining suggested next steps for embedding the guidelines into CTCN’s technical assistance workflow.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Women’s Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Information and Communication Technology Policy, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related field with a demonstrable gender focus is required. A Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to gender and digital development, climate policy, or the governance of emerging technologies is a strong asset. • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and the development of gender-responsive frameworks, policies, or guidelines, with demonstrated experience in applying these within the context of digital development, ICT, climate technology, or emerging technology programmes in developing countries. • In-depth and proven understanding of Digitalization as framed in the CTCN Third Programme of Work 2023–2027, encompassing applications such as digital public goods for climate governance, artificial intelligence and machine learning for climate solutions, remote sensing, digital financial services, and e-agriculture; including strong familiarity with gender dimensions of the digital divide (access, skills, safety, leadership) and gender-responsive digital policy in developing countries. • Proven qualitative and quantitative research skills, including gender analysis methodologies such as the Harvard Analytical Framework, Moser Framework, or CARE’s Gender Analysis Framework; ability to analyze sex-disaggregated data, identify structural gender inequalities, and synthesize findings into practical, evidence-based recommendations tailored to implementing partner needs. • Demonstrated experience developing gender mainstreaming guidelines, tools, or frameworks for use by implementing organizations, ideally in the context of climate technology, digital development, or ICT for development; experience with comparable products from UN and other international organizations. • Demonstrated ability to facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and co-design processes, including government agencies, private sector entities, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and international bodies; experience engaging National Designated Entities (NDEs) or equivalent national climate focal points in developing countries is an asset. • Strong project management skills, including planning, coordination, and timely delivery of outputs, proactive attitude and hands-on approach; proper time management and attention to detail. • Demonstrated understanding of intersectional gender analysis, including awareness of how gender inequalities interact with race, ethnicity, age, disability, and socioeconomic status; ability to apply this lens in developing countries across diverse cultural and regional contexts, including Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. • Proficiency in relevant software and tools for data analysis, document preparation, and communication. • Experience working for the UN or other international organizations.

Languages

· Strong communication and writing skills in English are required. Other Special Skills/Knowledge · Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to various audiences. · Knowledge of the CTCN mandate, Gender Policy and Action Plan 2023–2027, and Programme of Work 2023–2027, and/or experience with the UNFCCC Technology Mechanism, is a strong asset. · Familiarity with relevant internationally agreed outcomes and frameworks, including the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDGs, in particular SDG 5, 9, 10, and 13), the UNFCCC Gender Action Plan (Decision 3/CP.25), CEDAW, the UN Global Digital Compact (2024), and the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 26 days ago - Updated 16 days ago - Source: careers.un.org