UN Women Is Hiring Home Based Gender and Assistive Technology Consultant: {Closing date March 1st, 2025}

Job Description

Position(s): Gender Assistive Technology
Organization: UN WOMEN
Deadline: March 1st 2025

The world is rapidly transforming, powered by the engines of technology. Yet, this technological revolution is not reaching everyone equally. A significant digital divide exists, disproportionately affecting women and girls, particularly those with disabilities. To address this crucial gap, UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, is seeking a highly qualified Gender and Assistive Technology Consultant for a home-based consultation position. With applications open until March 1st, 2025, this is an extraordinary opportunity to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable digital future.

This consulting role represents a vital step in UN Women’s commitment to ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for women’s empowerment, rather than a barrier. The selected consultant will play a critical role in understanding and addressing the specific challenges women and girls with disabilities face in accessing and utilizing technology, while also identifying opportunities for innovation and inclusion.

The Scope of the Challenge:

The digital divide for women and girls with disabilities is multi-faceted. It is a complex interplay of systemic barriers, societal attitudes, and technological shortcomings. These barriers include:

• Limited Access: Affordability and availability of technology and internet access remain significant hurdles, particularly in developing countries and rural areas. Women with disabilities often face additional economic constraints, making access even more challenging.
• Accessibility Issues: Many digital platforms, devices, and services are not designed with accessibility in mind. This can exclude women with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive impairments from utilizing technology effectively. Features like screen readers, voice recognition, and alternative input methods are often lacking or poorly implemented.
• Lack of Digital Literacy: Limited access to education and training on technology, coupled with gender stereotypes and societal expectations, can contribute to lower levels of digital literacy among women with disabilities. This can hinder their ability to navigate online spaces, find information, and participate in the digital economy.
• Safety and Security Concerns: Online harassment, cyberbullying, and data privacy concerns disproportionately affect women, and can be exacerbated for women with disabilities. They may be more vulnerable to targeted attacks and exploitation.
• Intersectionality of Marginalization: Women with disabilities often experience intersecting forms of discrimination, including gender, disability, and socioeconomic status. This intersectionality further compounds their marginalization in the digital sphere, making it crucial to adopt a holistic and inclusive approach.
• Representation and Participation: Women with disabilities are often underrepresented in the design, development, and deployment of technology. This lack of representation can lead to technologies that fail to meet their specific needs and preferences.

The Role of the Gender and Assistive Technology Consultant:

The successful candidate will be responsible for providing expert guidance and support to UN Women on integrating gender and assistive technology considerations into its programs and initiatives. This will involve:

• Conducting Research and Analysis: The consultant will conduct desk research, literature reviews, and stakeholder consultations to analyze the current state of gender and assistive technology issues. This includes examining global trends, identifying best practices, and mapping existing resources.
• Developing Policy Recommendations: Based on the research findings, the consultant will develop evidence-based policy recommendations to guide UN Women’s strategies and interventions. This will involve identifying key areas for intervention, such as improving access to technology, promoting digital literacy, and addressing online safety concerns.
• Providing Technical Assistance: The consultant will provide technical assistance to UN Women’s teams on integrating gender and assistive technology considerations into specific projects and programs. This may involve providing guidance on project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Developing Training Materials: The consultant will develop training materials and resources to build the capacity of UN Women staff, partners, and beneficiaries on gender and assistive technology issues. This may include developing training modules, toolkits, and guidelines.
• Facilitating Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant will facilitate consultations and workshops with stakeholders, including women with disabilities, disability rights organizations, technology companies, and government representatives. This will help to ensure that UN Women’s interventions are responsive to the needs and priorities of the target population.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: The consultant will contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of UN Women’s initiatives to assess their impact on women and girls with disabilities. This will involve developing indicators, collecting data, and analyzing results.
• Knowledge Management: The consultant will contribute to the development and dissemination of knowledge products, such as policy briefs, reports, and case studies. This will help to raise awareness of gender and assistive technology issues and promote the sharing of best practices.

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Advanced Academic Degree: A Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field, such as gender studies, disability studies, international development, computer science, or a related discipline.
• Extensive Experience: At least 7 years of progressive experience working on gender equality, women’s empowerment, disability rights, assistive technology, and/or digital inclusion.
• Deep Understanding: A strong understanding of the intersection between gender, disability, and technology, including the specific challenges and opportunities faced by women and girls with disabilities in accessing and utilizing technology.
• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in conducting research and analysis, developing policy recommendations, and providing technical assistance on gender and assistive technology issues. Knowledge of web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) and assistive technologies is highly desirable.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences. Ability to facilitate workshops and consultations effectively.
• Cross-Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders in a cross-cultural environment.
• Project Management Skills: Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset.

Why This Opportunity Matters:

This consulting position offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls with disabilities around the world. By contributing to UN Women’s efforts to bridge the digital divide, the consultant will help to empower women and girls to participate fully in the digital economy, access information and services, and exercise their rights. This work is crucial for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Furthermore, working with UN Women provides a platform to:

• Influence Global Policy: Contribute to the development of international policies and strategies that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• Collaborate with Experts: Work alongside leading experts in the field of gender, disability, and technology.
• Expand Professional Network: Build a strong professional network with organizations, governments, and individuals working to advance women’s rights and digital inclusion.
• Make a Meaningful Impact: See the direct impact of your work on the lives of women and girls with disabilities.

How to Apply:

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Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the UN Women online recruitment portal by March 1st, 2025. The application package should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and a personal history form (P-11) which can be downloaded from the UN Women website. Detailed information on the application process, including specific requirements and instructions, can be found on the UN Women career portal.

Conclusion:

The appointment of a Gender and Assistive Technology Consultant is a testament to UN Women’s unwavering commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive digital future. This is an opportunity to be part of a global effort to transform the lives of women and girls with disabilities and to help realize the full potential of technology for gender equality and empowerment. Don’t miss this chance to contribute your expertise to this vital cause and to shape a world where technology empowers everyone, regardless of gender or disability. Apply today and be a part of creating a truly inclusive digital future.

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