UN Women - International Consultant, Consultancy on operationalizing the UN Women Social Norms Framework in Europe and Central Asia

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.

Changing discriminatory social norms is a key to achieve gender equality that is also emphasized in international frameworks such as Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Addressing discriminatory social norms has long been central to UN Women’s work and is reflected as a cross-cutting outcome in its recent Strategic Plans (2022–2025 and 2026–2029).

In 2026, UN Women introduced its new framework Ideologies, Institutions and Power: Addressing discriminatory social norms. The framework defines three interrelated concepts to understand and transform discriminatory social norms: ideologies, institutions and power. Norms are ideological rules that are embedded in social institutions, namely the market, state, religion, community and family. These norms are essentially about the distribution of power and privileges among men and women, and the production, reproduction and transformation of norms are an exercise in power. The framework suggests that three interrelated strategies are crucial for changing discriminatory social norms: by transforming narratives and building consensus; by creating material changes in women’s lives and by strengthening countervailing powers.

The framework is a result of an extensive learning phase 2022-2025, including evidence building through original and secondary research, expert group meetings and consultations with UN Women staff and partners. Research commissioned by UN Women included two literature reviews: one on the state of evidence on social norms change and one on the most influential initiatives for measuring social norms (change). The draft framework was discussed at expert group meetings, internal  (global) Community of Practice and regional and bilateral consultations and a final draft was extensively peer reviewed by external and internal experts.

The UN Women Europe and Central Asia Regional Strategic Note (2026–2029) positions discriminatory social norms as a cross-cutting priority underpinning progress across all thematic areas of work. The Strategic Note recognizes that discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes and unequal power relations shape outcomes related to ending violence against women, women's economic empowerment, women, peace and security, governance, humanitarian action and other regional priorities. The Strategic Note further commits ECARO to develop and promote a regional approach to social norm transformation based on the institutional approach and pilot it at country level, with emphasis on engaging youth and men. In recent years, ECARO has invested in strengthening its regional capacity on social norms programming. In September 2025, the Regional Office convened a two-day socialization workshop on the new UN Women Social Norms Framework, led by UN Women HQ Social Norms Advisor, bringing together more than 100 colleagues from the regional office and country offices to develop a shared understanding of the framework and explore its application across thematic portfolios and strategic planning. The region has also contributed to shaping the global normative agenda through the Europe and Central Asia regional consultations on the draft CEDAW General Recommendation No. 41 on ‘dismantling gender stereotypes’, which brought together experts from across the region to advance a structural, rights-based understanding of discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes. Building on these investments and the new Regional Strategic Note, ECARO now seeks to translate the corporate framework into practical operational guidance that supports consistent application across regional and country programmes.

UN Women seeks to engage an international individual consultant to map existing social norms programming in ECA region and to develop concise operational plan for applying the UN Women Social Norms Framework in regional and country programming while ensuring alignment with and accountability to the Regional Strategic Note 2026-2029. The plan will translate the corporate framework into practical, regionally contextualized actions that support programme design, implementation, monitoring and learning across thematic portfolios.

UN Women seeks to engage an international individual consultant to map existing social norms programming in ECA region and to develop concise operational plan for applying the UN Women Social Norms Framework in regional and country programming while ensuring alignment with and accountability to the Regional Strategic Note 2026-2029. The plan will translate the corporate framework into practical, regionally contextualized actions that support programme design, implementation, monitoring and learning across thematic portfolios.

Responsibilities/scope of work:

Under the overall guidance of the UN Women ECARO Strategic Planning Specialist, the direct supervision of the Programme Manager of the EU4Gender Equality regional programme, and in close collaboration with relevant colleagues from ECARO and Headquarters, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Map UN Women's existing social norms programming across Europe and Central Asia.

Conduct a desk review of regional and country office programmes that are dedicated or include a component on addressing discriminatory social norms across thematic areas such as ending violence against women, women's economic empowerment, women, peace and security, governance, humanitarian action and other relevant portfolios. The mapping should identify key thematic areas, programming approaches, target groups (youth, men and boys, women with disabilities etc.), partnerships, existing methodologies, etc.

1. Analyze regional programming through the lens of the UN Women Social Norms Framework.

The analysis should include:

1. a mapping of all interventions/ programmes against the corporate Social Norms Framework (Ideologies, Institutions and Power), identifying which social norms and narratives are implicated in the various interventions, how the interventions address discriminatory ideologies, the various social institutions and unequal power in production, reproduction and transformation of social norms;
2. an assessment of the extent to which the three pathways for social norms change identified in the framework are being pursued: transforming narratives, changing material conditions and strengthening countervailing powers. The analysis should identify good practices and common gaps as well as identify opportunities/ practical entry points for integrating the corporate Social Norms Framework across regional priorities and thematic portfolios.

1. Develop an operational plan for applying the UN Women Social Norms Framework in Europe and Central Asia 

Develop a concise operational plan (up to 10 pages TBC) that translates the corporate Social Norms Framework into practical, regionally contextualized action points for UN Women country offices, programme presences and regional programmes. Drawing on the mapping and analysis, the plan should:

• suggest practical actions for integrating the Framework across specific on-going interventions (including in programme design, implementation, partnerships, monitoring and learning); 
• include practical tools or approaches (such as programming questions, mapping templates or illustrative monitoring approaches) that facilitate consistent application of the Framework across thematic portfolios; and
• articulate ECARO's regional technical offer and comparative advantage in supporting social norms programming across the region, including an assessment of existing regional capacities and technical gaps, and recommendations for strengthening ECARO's capacity to provide effective technical support (e.g. targeted capacity development, access to global technical expertise, strategic partnerships or additional technical resources, where appropriate).
• identify priority entry points where regional action on discriminatory social norms will add the greatest value over the Strategic Note period, justify the selection, and specify for each whether ECARO will lead, influence or support, with corresponding roles for country offices and programme presences;
• ensure that the proposed actions, tools and approaches account for how discriminatory norms operate differently across intersecting inequalities, with particular attention in the regional context to Roma women, women with disabilities, rural women, displaced and migrant women, older women and other groups facing compounded discrimination, and identify where existing programming addresses or overlooks these dynamics;
• ensure complementarity and synergy with other regional strategies and frameworks, demonstrating how the operational plan connects to and reinforces ECARO's regional thematic strategies and strategic approaches and identifying opportunities for cross-thematic action; align with the Regional Strategic Note results framework and corporate results-based management processes, and with the ECARO Knowledge Management and Innovation Action Plan. 
• Present findings and facilitate discussion with ECARO colleagues.
• Present the key findings and proposed Operational Plan to ECARO colleagues, incorporating feedback into the final product as appropriate

Deliverables

• The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:
• Mapping and analytical review of social norms programming in Europe and Central Asia (10 working days). Tasks 1, 2 and - by 10 October 2026.
• Draft operational plan for applying the UN Women Social Norms Framework in Europe and Central Asia (10 working days). Task 3 – by 10 November 2026.
• Final operational plan and presentation of findings (5 working days). Task 4 – by 15 December 2026.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

• This is a home-based consultancy.

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:

• Demonstrated experience in gender equality and women's empowerment programming, including on discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes. 
• Critical understanding of social norms theories and approaches, and their application to programme design, implementation, monitoring and learning. 
• Experience conducting analytical reviews and translating evidence, research or corporate frameworks into practical programming guidance and knowledge products. 
• Experience developing strategic or operational plans, tools or methodologies for programme implementation. 
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking, with the ability to synthesize complex information into concise, practical recommendations. 
• Experience working on gender equality and women's empowerment issues in Europe and Central Asia is an asset. 
• Experience working with UN Women and/or other United Nations agencies or international organizations. 
• Excellent writing skills. 
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.

Education and Certification:

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in gender studies, sociology, social or political sciences or relevant field to the requirements of the TOR. 

Experience:

• At least 5 year of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality and women's empowerment programming, policy development, research or technical advisory services.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting analytical reviews, programme assessments or research and translating findings into operational guidance, methodologies or practical recommendations for gender equality programming, including on discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes or related areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of social norms theories and approaches, including their application to gender equality programming.
• Experience working with UN Women, other United Nations entities or international development organizations is required.
• Experience of work with gender equality and women’s empowerment issues in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of any other UN official language is an asset.

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.