I. 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.
Integrating feminist principles into policy design and implementation, particularly in foreign policy, has become a defining trend in modern gender-responsive governance. Ten years after the worldโs first Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP) was adopted, many countries now apply feminist, intersectional, and human-rightsโbased approaches to diplomacy, development cooperation, trade, climate action, peace and security, and institutional transformation. At the multilateral level, momentum continues to grow through informal Member State groups such as the FFP+ Group in New York, where Liberia is an allied member. In 2023, this group championed the first-ever FFP Political Declaration, in which signatories, including Liberia, affirmed their commitment to gender-transformative foreign policy grounded in intersectionality, inclusivity, and partnership with feminist civil society movements.
Against this global backdrop, Liberia is positioning itself as a continental pioneer in gender-responsive diplomacy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), with support from UN Women, completed a comprehensive Gender Equality Assessment in October 2025. The assessment examined the Ministryโs organisational culture, policies, programmes, structures, decision-making processes, human resources systems, and budgeting practices to determine the extent to which gender equality is institutionalised within the institution. This assessment represents the first foundational step in Liberiaโs journey towards adopting and implementing a Gender-Responsive (or Feminist) Foreign Policy.
Building on this evidence base, Liberia validated its Gender-Responsive Foreign Policy (GRFP) Roadmap in October 2025. The roadmap outlines five priority pillars that will guide Liberiaโs future diplomatic engagement: 1) Human Rights of Women; 2) Womenโs Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Trade; 3) Women, Peace and Security; 4) Climate Justice and Natural Resource Governance; and 5) Womenโs Political Leadership and Representation.
With the Assessment and Roadmap now complete, Liberia has entered a critical implementation phase focused on strengthening the Ministry of Foreign Affairsโ internal and external capacity for gender mainstreaming, guided directly by the assessment findings. This phase includes building the institutional systems, skills, and structures needed to embed gender equality across the Ministryโs operations, while simultaneously advancing the development, adoption, and implementation of a comprehensive Gender-Responsive Foreign Policy that is fully aligned with Liberiaโs existing Foreign Policy Framework. Together, these efforts will translate the roadmap into concrete institutional reforms, enhanced diplomatic practice, and a coherent policy framework that positions Liberia as a leader in gender-responsive diplomacy.
Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work
Under the overall supervision of the UN Women Country Representative, the Consultant will provide high-level coordination, technical leadership, and programme management support to advance the effective operationalization of Liberiaโs Gender-Responsive Foreign Policy (GRFP) Roadmap.ย
Task 1: Technical Leadership for GRFP Policy Development and Adoption
Provide expert guidance throughout the drafting, consultation, and finalization of Liberiaโs Gender-Responsive Foreign Policy, ensuring alignment with Liberiaโs Foreign Policy Framework and international normative standards. Facilitate and support high-level consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Cabinet Secretariat, Parliament, CSOs, WROs, and development partners. Lead technical preparation for policy approval, including Cabinet endorsement, legislative engagement, and national launch processes.Task 2: Strategic Coordination of GRFP Roadmap Implementation
Coordinate and oversee day-to-day implementation of the GRFP programme across all five components, ensuring coherence, sequencing, and alignment with national, regional, and global gender equality and foreign policy commitments. Serve as the principal coordination link between UN Women, MFA, MGCSP, and other ministries, ensuring sustained inter-ministerial engagement and joint ownership of GRFP implementation. Prepare monthly technical updates, progress reports, and a consolidated implementation calendar. Provide secretariat and coordination support to the GRFP Technical Committee, pillar-specific working groups, and all inter-ministerial coordination mechanisms led by MFA and MGCSP.Task 3: Technical Support to Institutional Strengthening of the MFA
Support establishment, operationalisation, and sustainability of the Women in Diplomacy Network, including mentorship platforms and leadership development activities. Assist Liberiaโs foreign missions to integrate gender-responsive practices, including gender-sensitive protocol, inclusive diplomatic engagement, and routine GRFP reporting. Strengthen institutional coordination between MFAโs Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU) and the MGCSPโs gender architecture to ensure a system-wide approach. Facilitate regional exchanges, study tours, and participation in global events to elevate Liberiaโs leadership in feminist and gender-responsive diplomacy.Task 4: Strategic Communication, Advocacy & Knowledge Generation
Lead development of GRFP branding, visibility tools, and communication materials aligned with UN Women and MFA standards. Prepare high-quality policy briefs, speeches, talking points, thematic summaries, and communication products. Coordinate GRFP advocacy events, digital diplomacy initiatives, media engagements, and awareness campaigns jointly with MFA and MGCSP. Document Liberiaโs progress through success stories, case studies, knowledge products, and UNSC-focused GRFP messaging.Task 5: Regional Normative Engagement & Leadership Elevation
Support Liberia in establishing an โAU Friends of GRFPโ Coalition at the African Union or ECOWAS level to promote SouthโSouth learning and regional leadership. Strengthen Liberiaโs presence and influence in global normative platforms, including CEDAW, CSW, UNSCR 1325 mechanisms, and the FFP+ Group, ensuring coordinated engagement between MFA, MGCSP, and UN Women. Prepare technical briefs and ensure Liberiaโs positions reflect feminist and intersectional approaches in regional and global diplomacy.Deliverables
Gender-Responsive Foreign Policy (GRFP) drafted and aligned with Liberiaโs Foreign Policy Framework. GRFP implementation and coordination mechanism established, including monthly progress updates. Women in Diplomacy Network launched with an operational mentorship framework. Concept note and coordination plan developed for the AU/ECOWAS โFriends of GRFPโ Coalition and one meeting convened.ย Technical briefs prepared to support Liberiaโs engagement with CEDAW, CSW, UNSCR 1325/WPS, and the FFP+ Group, including targeted capacity-building sessions.Duration of the Workย
The duration of this assignment will be for up to 6-month work assignment, tentatively from 19 January 2026 to 18 July 2026.ย Completion and payment depend on the submission and approval of deliverables and monthly report by the UN Women Country Representative
Consultantโs Workplace and Official Travel
This consultancy will be office-based in Monrovia, Liberia. Any required travel will be discussed and approved in advance by UN Women
.Performance Evaluation
The Consultantโs performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.
Financial Arrangement
Payments will be disbursed to the consultant on a monthly basis, upon submission and approval of major outputs or functions set forth in Section โDescription of Responsibilitiesโ above, timesheets with actual days worked and certification by the Country Representativeย that the services have been satisfactorily performed.ย
III. 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 visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
Functional Competencies:
Strong knowledge of gender equity and womenโs empowerment issuesย Strong knowledge of UN system and understanding of inter-agency coordination processesย Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives of Member States (donor and programme) Proven networking skills, and ability to mobilize support on behalf of UN Women Strong knowledge of results-based programme planning and managementย Strong negotiation skills Ability to promote and monitor inclusion of gender-specific objectives, indicators, targets and activities in the UN agencies programmesย Strong analytical and interpersonal skillsย Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages IV. Required QualificationsEducation and Certification:
Education and Certification: Advanced University Degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in International Relations, Development Studies, Public Policy, Gender Studies, International Law, or a related social science field A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degreeยExperience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in organizational development, international relations, governance, or related fields. Strong track record providing technical advisory services to government institutions, UN agencies, regional bodies, or civil society organizations. Demonstrated experience supporting policy development and implementation, particularly in areas related to gender mainstreaming, governance, diplomacy, or peace and security. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination, including working with government ministries, development partners, civil society, and international organizations. Familiarity with foreign policy processes, multilateral engagement, and the integration of gender into diplomacy or international cooperation is desirable.Experience designing and facilitating capacity-building workshops, technical trainings, and consultations
Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN official language is an asset.ย
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,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย 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 toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย 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.
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