UN Women, Consultant to support the development of a report on “International Models for Gender-Responsive Procurement (GRP) Implementation in Public Procurement”, Home-based, 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.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

Under the supervision and guidance of the Programme Manager of the WRT 2.0 Project in Viet Nam and in close coordination with relevant stakeholders, including the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) under the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the consultant team up with other lead consultant to support the  development of the “Report on International Models for Gender-Responsive Procurement Implementation”. 

Brief description of the expected Report   

The Report  Objectives

• To provide practical and operational guidance reference for implementing GRP in Viet Nam’s public procurement system, in response to the legal mandate introduced by the revised Public Procurement Law and other related legislations.
• To analyze international GRP implementation models, focusing on how procurement officials in different countries operationalize GRP in daily work beyond policy commitments, emphasizing actual procedures and tools.
• To identify common implementation challenges and propose practical solutions to support consistent and effective GRP application in Viet Nam.
• To explore how international practices may be realistically adapted to Viet Nam’s legal and institutional context.
• Primary users: Procurement officials at ministries and provincial governments, as the direct implementers of public procurement and GRP-related provisions.
• Secondary users: Public procurement policy, oversight, and coordination bodies (including the Ministry of Finance and relevant units), and public procurement training institutions responsible for guidance, monitoring, and capacity building.

Targeted users

• Other stakeholders / indirect beneficiaries: Enterprises, WOBs and other market participants, who benefit from clearer, more predictable application of GRP practices and improved transparency regarding how GRP considerations are reflected in procurement processes; as well as business support organizations and agencies engaged in supplier readiness and advisory support.

Main contents of the Report 

• Part 1: Introduction and context
• Part 2: International models for GRP implementation, including:
  • Overview of selected international GRP models .
  • Operationalization of GRP in daily procurement procedures.
  • Practical tools, templates, checklists, and case examples as available.
  • Addressing implementation challenges (FAQ section).
• Part 3: Operational recommendations for Viet Nam with adaptation of international practices.
• Part 4: Conclusion.

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

Activity 1: Desk review of  Vietnamese legislations and reports contributing to the development of  the report  framework and the Report 

The consultant  will desk review of relevant Vietnamese legislations and reports and provide them as inputs for the lead consultant to develop the report  framework and the draft 1 of the Report.  

Activity 2: Conduct targeted technical consultation

The consultant will support the lead consultant to consult the draft report framework and draft 1 of the Report with selected stakeholders under focus group discussions and/or in-depth interviews on practical use or feasibility of the report. The selected stakeholders will be shortlisted from the targeted users of the Report mentioned above. The consultant shall collect feedback on the draft report framework and the Draft 1 of the Report in English as inputs  for the lead consultant to prepare the Draft 2 of Report incorporating comments and inputs from selected stakeholders. (7 days)

Timeline and Deliverables  TaskActivitiesExpected DeliverablesTimeline

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

The consultancy is due to start on 1 Sep 2026 and end on  28 Feb 2027.

This is a home-based consultancy, with possibility to present at the UN Women Office in Viet Nam (VCO) for meetings and consultations (schedule to be agreed later with supervisor). The consultant is required to undertake regular update meetings with the Programme Manager and Country Representative. Broader meetings with the VCO programme team or others will be based on demand and time availability of the consultant. 

As part of this assignment, there might be missions to selected provinces and cities to undertake required activities.

Work related travel of UN Women’s consultants are considered as official mission and will be arranged by UN Women, in line with UN Women’s Consultant Contract Policy, UN Women Duty Travel Policy and UN-EU cost norm.

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:

•    Good knowledge and understanding on international commitments on gender equality, including CEDAW, CSW, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and SDGs.
•    Good knowledge of the private sector context of Viet Nam.
•    Strong analytical, writing and presentation skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently.
•    Ability to provide advice, facilitation, and support.
•    Strong planning and organizing skills.
•    Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master's degree or higher in Public Policy, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Procurement, Business, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or related field.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in public procurement, public financial management, procurement policy, procurement reform, or related fields.
• Minimum 5 years of experience conducting policy research, legal analysis, comparative studies, or development of technical reports.
• Minimum 2 years of experience integrating gender equality, women's economic empowerment, supplier diversity, inclusive business, or social inclusion considerations into policy, programmes, or procurement systems.
• Demonstrated experience of researching, advising, or supporting implementation of GRP, supplier diversity, or inclusive procurement policies.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Vietnamese 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:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

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.