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. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
UN Women’s triple mandate, along with its global network and deep policy and programming expertise, continues to endow the Entity with a unique capacity to: (i) support Member States to strengthen global norms and standards for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and mainstream gender perspectives in other thematic areas; (ii) promote coordination and coherence across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and women’s empowerment; and (iii) undertake operational activities to support Member States, upon their request, in translating global norms and standards into legislation, policies and strategies at country level.
UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the State of Palestine since its inception in 1997 (as UNIFEM). In line with the national priorities, the work of UN Women for the period 2023-2025 is aligned with three of the Palestine United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework’s (UNSDCF) outcomes:
• Palestinians have greater access to economic opportunities that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, including decent employment and livelihoods opportunities in an empowered private sector.
• Palestinians, including the most vulnerable, have equal access to sustainable, inclusive, gender responsive and quality social services, social protection, and affordable utilities.
• Palestinian governance institutions, processes, and mechanisms at all levels are more democratic, rights-based, inclusive, and accountable.
Its three-year Strategic Note supports the efforts to achieve measurable results in country in terms of four UN Women global Strategic Plan impacts (2022-2025): (SP Impact 1). Governance and participation in public life; (SP Impact 2). Women’s Economic Empowerment; (SP Impact 3). Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and; SP Impact 4. Women peace and security, Humanitarian & Disaster Risk Reduction.
Women and girls peace and security represent one of the key thematic areas of UN Women’s mandate. Based on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and nine subsequently adopted resolutions, the WPS agenda recognizes the gendered nature of conflict and peace. Built on the four pillars of participation, prevention, protection and relief and recovery, it reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, participation in peace negotiations, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and in post-conflict reconstruction.
UN Member States have the primary responsibility to implement the WPS agenda and they are called to do so through National Action Plans (NAPs) or other national-level strategies. The State of Palestine has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through the adoption of its first (2017–2019) and second (2020 – 2024) National Action Plans (NAPs) that was extended to 2025) on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. These action plans have aimed to promote gender equality, safeguard women's rights in conflict, and ensure women’s full and meaningful participation in peace and security processes.
As the Second National Action Plan (NAP) nears completion, preparations for the Third NAP (2026–2029) are underway, guided by a participatory and inclusive approach. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) plays a central and critical role in leading the NAP development and implementation, and serves as the chair of the Higher National Committee (HNC) for the Implementation of the UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), which includes government ministries, media, women-led organizations (WLOs), and women’s rights organizations (WROs) like the General Union of Palestinian Women and the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling, among others. The Feminist Civil Society Coalition, along with WROs, national coalitions, research bodies, and grassroots groups across the West Bank and Gaza, also plays a key role. This leadership position is pivotal and is focused on providing strategic direction and overall oversight for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and subsequent WPS resolutions in Palestine.
The Third NAP will build on the second NAP, which focused on protection, participation, accountability, and recovery for Palestinian women affected by occupation and conflict. It emphasized the disproportionate impact of conflict and occupation on Palestinian women and girls and women’s critical role in peacebuilding and outlined national commitments to enhance their involvement in decision-making and conflict prevention.
UN Women plays a key role in supporting the Palestinian NAP by collaborating with national partners to ensure its effective development, resourcing, monitoring, and implementation. This includes capacity building for WPS actors, coordination with stakeholders, producing gender-focused conflict data, fostering dialogue, and advocating for the WPS agenda in Palestine. UN Women also aids the National Coalition on UNSCR 1325 and drives policy changes and community actions aligned with NAP priorities. Additionally, it provides technical and financial support throughout the process. To further this effort, UN Women seeks a national consultant to facilitate NAP development and support stakeholders based on best practices.
Objective of the Consultancy: The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop the third generation of the NAP and to conduct a rapid institutional capacity assessment and deliver a capacity development plan to both the Higher National Committee (HNC) and the National Coalition (NC). This work aims to support the MoWA in mainstreaming WPS commitments across all national planning frameworks and government response strategies, including humanitarian response plans. It will also strengthen the capacities of the HNC for the effective implementation of UNSCR 1325 and enhance coordination and collaboration between the HNC and the NC in advancing the WPS agenda.
Developing the third NAP will directly contribute to the following key outputs of the Palestinian Women Lead the Way Programme, specifically to:
Output 2.2: WLOs and WROS have increased capacity to promote women’s leadership in the development and implementation of recovery planning, preparedness and response to national crises.
Output 3.1: Women feminist leaders have the resources and capacity to engage in and lead WPS-focused advocacy, policymaking, and decision-making efforts.
Output 3.2: Key policymaking, peacebuilding and relief and recovery processes are informed by voices and perspectives of Palestinian women, including young women, and young men.
Output 3.3: Policy makers have the capacity to effectively mainstream, monitor and track WPS in government policies and national response plans.
The consultant will be reporting to UN Women Programme Management Specialist as the overall supervisor and be supported by UN Women WPS Analyst, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues. Moreover, the consultant will work closely with the MoWA. Regular progress meetings will be held with the technical working group and/or advisory committee established for NAP development. The consultant will provide regular progress updates and highlight any challenges encountered during the process. The final deliverables will be presented for review and approval before being finalized.
Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work
The consultant will support the MoWA, the HNC, the NC, and UN Women in the development of a responsive, evidence-based, and inclusive Third National Action Plan (WPS III-NAP). The scope of work will include:
Desk Review and Analysis Review the First and Second NAPs, including their evaluations and implementation/M&E reports, if any (to be deleted) Build on the strategic framework for ways forward that was conducted jointly by MoWA and ESCWA Analyze relevant national policy frameworks, WPS-related strategies, and global guidance and best practices.2. Facilitation of Inclusive Consultations
Design and conduct participatory consultation processes with key stakeholders, including MoWA, HNC, NC, WROs, WLOs and civil society organizations. Ensure broad thematic, national (West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem), and intersectional representation in the consultation process, prioritizing the inclusion of marginalized and underrepresented women and groups3. Development of the Third NAP
Draft the WPS III-NAP incorporating: Clear strategic priorities and objectives. A comprehensive results framework (including outcomes, outputs, indicators, timelines, and institutional responsibilities). A financing strategy and accountability framework. Ensure the NAP is contextually relevant, drawing on local and international lessons learned.4. Capacity Needs Assessment
Assess institutional capacities of the HNC and NC in implementing and monitoring the WPS agenda. Identify gaps in technical knowledge, coordination mechanisms, gender mainstreaming, results-based management/M&E, data collection, and resource mobilization.5. Validation and Finalization
Organize validation workshops with key stakeholders to present and review the draft NAP and capacity assessment findings. Integrate feedback and finalize the WPS III-NAP document in Arabic.6. Design and Implementation of Capacity Development Plan
Develop a tailored capacity development plan based on assessment findings. Deliver training workshops, mentorship sessions, and other targeted interventions to enhance institutional and stakeholder capacities. Potential focus areas include: WPS frameworks, gender-responsive budgeting, MEL systems, advocacy, and policy dialogue.The consultant will utilize the following methodology:
The consultant will adopt a participatory, inclusive, and evidence-based methodology to ensure national ownership and sustainability of outcomes. The national consultant will work in close collaboration with the MoWA, UN Women, HNC and NC to identify priorities and timelines and contextualizing the deliverables to the Palestinian context and supporting the delivery of trainings and workshops.
1. Preparatory Phase
Inception meeting with MoWA, and UN Women to confirm scope, work plan, and timeline. Collection and review of background documents and existing data.2. Desk Review
Conduct structured document analysis of the previous NAPs, national strategies, evaluation reports, and global WPS resources, that reflects the evolving political, social, and security context in Palestine and builds on lessons learned from the previous two NAPs. Identify gaps, achievements, and opportunities to inform the development of the third NAP.3. Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement
Map key stakeholders across government, WLOs, WROs, civil society, and grassroots organizations. Design an inclusive engagement plan ensuring gender, geographical, and thematic diversity. Ensures inclusive participation of MoWA, HNC, NC, WLOs, WROs, civil society, and grassroots women leaders in drafting the NAP with results framework and budget. Provide technical support and guidance to UN Women, MoWA, HNC and NC and other national stakeholders on the NAP development process based on best practices and lessons learned globally, ensuring an inclusive process4. Data Collection and Analysis
Utilize qualitative methods such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and participatory workshops. Apply a feminist and intersectional lens to assess needs, gaps, and priorities.5. Capacity Needs Assessment
Conduct surveys, interviews, and workshops to assess capacity levels. Develop an analysis matrix highlighting strengths, gaps, and recommended areas for support and strengthening the institutional capacities of the HNC and NC to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate the NAP on WPS through targeted capacity development activities.6. Capacity Development
Design and implement 7 days training workshops or coaching sessions aligned with the prioritized identified needs from the assessment in consultation with UN Women and stakeholders. Use participatory adult learning techniques and real-world case studies.7. NAP Drafting
Draft the WPS III-NAP using inputs from the desk review and consultations. Use a results-based approach to formulate goals, objectives, indicators, responsibilities and budgets.8. Validation and Finalization
Facilitate validation sessions to refine and validate the draft NAP and capacity assessment. Submit the final deliverables in Arabic.Deliverables: Deliverable Expected completion time (due day) 1. An approved Inception Report detailing methodology, workplan including stakeholder engagement plan, and timeline in English. 5 days after the contract’s signing 2. An approved Capacity Development Training Delivery Report in English containing the Capacity Needs Assessment, Capacity Development Plan, and training materials for HNC and NC, along with successful completion of a 7-day training conducted in Arabic. Four months after the contract’s signing 3. A Final approved WPS III-NAP in Arabic
Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel
This is a home-based local consultancy. The consultant will coordinate closely with UN Women and MoWA throughout the assignment. During the assignment the consultant should take into consideration traveling to MoWA, HNC and NC members, and between West Bank cities, meeting WLOs, WROs and other stakeholders. Data collection and consultations with Palestinian women and other stakeholders in Gaza and Jerusalem can be conducted using online methods.
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:
Strong networking, facilitation and organizational skills. Ability to work in a team. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource. Commitment to UN values. Client and results oriented. Excellent reporting and analytical skills with strong drive for results and capacity to work independently. Ability to work under pressure on multiple projects whilst maintaining high-quality and timeliness. Experience in project management and delivery of high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.Required Qualifications:
Education and Certification:
Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender studies, WPS studies, development studies, human rights, political science or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in WPS, is required. Prior experience supporting national governments directly in the development and/or implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) is highly desirable Experience authoring or leading the development of at least two relevant sample documents is required—one in English and one in Arabic—such as gender-sensitive national strategies, reports, policies, policy briefs, publications, or National Action Plans (NAPs) in fragile or conflict-affected settings, demonstrating inclusive and participatory processes involving both government and civil society stakeholders, ideally aligned with the WPS agenda or related thematic areas; submission of these two samples, authored solely or primarily by the applicant, is required to be attached as part of the application. Experience in conducting capacity needs assessments is required. Proven ability to design and deliver adult learning-based capacity development for government officials, civil society, and stakeholders on WPS/NAP topics, including gender mainstreaming, coordination, M&E, data collection, and resource mobilization and/or relevant fields is required. Experience in participatory consultation workshops or focus groups facilitation with multi-stakeholder groups, including senior government and CSO representatives is required. Previous professional experience with the United Nations or similar international organizations is desirable.Languages:
Proficiency in English and Arabic 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:
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