About the Organization
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, established to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide. The organization works for the elimination of discrimination, the achievement of equality between women and men as partners in development, and the advancement of human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security. By merging resources and mandates from previous UN parts, UN Women provides a coherent leadership voice to ensure that global commitments on gender equality translate into tangible actions on the ground.
In Ethiopia, UN Women is implementing a Strategic Note for 2026-2030 aimed at fully operationalizing the nexus between humanitarian aid, development, and peace. The office focuses on ensuring that major peacebuilding frameworks, such as national dialogue and transitional justice, effectively include women and girls as active participants and beneficiaries. Through these efforts, the organization contributes significantly to the national media and policy landscape, advocating for a well-informed and empowered citizenry where every voice has a platform.
The culture at UN Women is built on core values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The entity promotes an inclusive environment where individuals from all backgrounds—regardless of race, religion, sex, or gender identity—can thrive and contribute to organizational goals. This commitment to diversity ensures that the network reflects the vibrant communities it serves, fostering authentic storytelling and innovative solutions to complex social issues.
Professional growth is deeply integrated into the consultant experience at UN Women. Personnel are given high-level responsibilities in managing project implementation, leading technical teams, and engaging in inter-agency coordination with other UN bodies and government officials. The organization encourages continuous learning through the development of knowledge management products and the implementation of results-based management tools, allowing specialists to refine their expertise in a global context.
UN Women is an equal-opportunity employer that maintains a zero-tolerance policy for conduct such as sexual exploitation, harassment, and discrimination. We explicitly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply for these senior consultancy roles to further strengthen our diverse workforce. By joining UN Women, you become part of a mission-driven team dedicated to creating a safe, respectful, and equitable world for everyone.
Job Description and Strategic Impact
The International Consultant for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) plays a critical strategic role in implementing Ethiopia’s first-ever National Action Plan for UNSCR 1325. This position is a driving force behind ensuring that peacebuilding frameworks and humanitarian responses are gender-responsive and impactful. By providing strategic insights and technical leadership, the consultant ensures that the strategic note’s goals are translated into effective federal and regional programs.
In this role, the incumbent exercises overall responsibility for planning and managing UN Women interventions under the WPS portfolio, including vital resource mobilization efforts. The daily impact involves high-stakes collaboration with UN agencies, government departments, and civil society to harmonize capacity-building efforts. This visibility provides a unique opportunity to shape the national historical record and public perception of women’s leadership in peace and security.
The career development opportunities for an International Consultant at UN Women are extensive, offering exposure to the entire UN system and multi-lateral donor environments. The consultant will lead a team of professionals, mentoring personnel and overseeing recruitment processes to expand technical capacity. This high-level management experience is instrumental for those looking to influence global humanitarian and development policies.
Strategic impact is also achieved through the development of advocacy strategies and the identification of best practices to guide long-term program improvement. The consultant’s work ensures that gender financing is a priority, securing the necessary resources to sustain the nexus between peace and humanitarian action. By representing UN Women in policy dialogues, the incumbent acts as a primary advocate for the rights and empowerment of women in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Ultimately, this position is about creating a fusion of rigorous data analysis and meaningful community engagement to captivate and empower a modern audience. The work performed here directly affects the stability and inclusivity of the nation’s future development. Joining the team now places you at the heart of Ethiopia’s social and institutional transformation.
Job Positions and Requirements
International Consultant, WPS
Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women’s studies, international development, or a related field. A first-level university degree with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience: At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in project design, implementation, and evaluation. Technical experience in WPS in conflict/post-conflict settings is required.
Job Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Salary: Per Scale / Negotiable.
No. Required: 1.
Employment Type and Compensation
The employment is offered as an Individual Consultancy on a full-time job schedule. The initial contract duration is set for eight months, providing a stable yet dynamic platform to execute the WPS workplan for the 2026-2027 period. This contractual arrangement is designed to attract high-level expertise for specialized strategic projects within the UN framework.
Compensation is growth-oriented and competitive, following the standard individual consultancy rates of the organization. While the specific salary is based on the scale and qualifications, the package includes the prestige of working for a global leader in gender equality and access to an extensive professional network. The organization aims to provide a structure that rewards technical mastery and strategic innovation.
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must submit their application through the official UN Women job portal associated with Job Identification 33755. Please ensure that all sections of the application form, particularly those regarding education and employment history, are fully completed. Failure to complete all sections may result in the application being disqualified from the process.
We prioritize an efficient review process; therefore, scanned certificates or physical attachments are NOT required during the initial application phase. Your qualifications should be clearly stated within the online form. Original documents and academic credentials will be required only for physical verification during the background check phase for selected candidates.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the recruitment team for further assessment. Background checks will involve rigorous verification of academic credentials and employment history to ensure alignment with UN standards. Candidates may be required to provide additional information to facilitate this verification process if they progress through the selection stages.
The selection process typically includes a review of applications followed by interviews or technical assessments. Following the deadline, the recruitment committee will evaluate submissions based on qualifications, competence, and organizational need. We aim to move promptly to integrate new strategic talent into our Ethiopia country office.
The primary channel for submission is the online portal. Interested applicants must adhere to the deadline to ensure their candidacy is considered for this senior consultancy role.
Application Deadline
May 14, 2026
