UN Women, Gender expert to provide technical support to review and update the National Strategy on Gender Equality (2021-2030), Home-based, National Consultant

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The successful performance of the incumbent will effectively contribute to the development of knowledge on gender legislation development and provide recommendations to strengthen gender equality laws and policy in Viet Nam.

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical support to MOHA in assessing the implementation of the NSGE 2021–2030 and developing recommendations to strengthen its objectives, targets, indicators, implementation arrangements and monitoring framework, taking into account the current national context, government priorities and Viet Nam’s international commitments.
The consultant is expected to work closely with technical team of Department of Youth Affairs and Gender Equality during the review and update of the NSGE, with following tasks:
o    Review of existing national reports, studies and data related to the implementation of NSGE to assess implementation progress, results, gaps and lessons against the NSGE objectives, targets and 2025 milestones, and assess the likelihood of achieving the 2030 targets. 
o    Analysis of recent government policy priorities to assess the relevance, coherence, measurability and ambition of the Strategy’s objectives, targets, indicators, tasks, solutions and institutional responsibilities.
o    Review other relevant legal documents on gender equality, as well as international commitments (CEDAW, SDGs, BPfA, etc.) to identify gaps between the NSGE and international commitment.
o    Identify policy adjustments required to reflect the new institutional and development context, national priorities and laws, and Viet Nam’s international commitments, including the 2026 CEDAW concluding observations and follow-up requirements.
o    Provide recommendations for the development of a strengthened results and monitoring framework with clear indicator definitions, baselines, milestones and targets; data sources and collection frequency; required disaggregation; responsible and coordinating institutions; reporting flows; and quality-assurance arrangements.

Guiding approach 

o    Results-based management: distinguish activities and outputs from changes in outcomes; assess contribution, implementation quality, coverage and sustainability, not only completion of activities.
o    Gender-transformative and intersectional analysis: examine structural causes and differentiated outcomes by age, disability, ethnicity, geography, migration status and other relevant characteristics, subject to data availability and appropriate national terminology.
o    Evidence and traceability: triangulate official statistics, administrative data, evaluations, research and stakeholder evidence; document definitions, limitations and the basis for proposed changes.

Deliverables

• Excellent analytical, research, and drafting skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, evidence-based findings and recommendations.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills for engaging with government, UN, and civil society stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Viet Nam’s legal and policy context on gender equality is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills in English.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Certification:
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, gender studies, public policy, international development, or a related field.

Experience:
•    At least 15 years of professional experience in gender equality and gender-responsive public policy in Viet Nam.
•    Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, including assessment of official statistics, administrative data and evidence limitations.
•    Demonstrated ability to design results frameworks, indicators, monitoring systems and reporting arrangements for national strategies or programmes.
•    Demonstrated track record in preparing Vietnamese analytical reports, gap analyses, and policy recommendations.
•    Knowledge of the NSGE, current institutional context, CEDAW and other international commitments 
•    Prior experience working with government agencies, UN bodies, or international organizations on gender-related legal and policy reforms.