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.

The digital gender gap remains a significant challenge in Africa, limiting women’s access to digital technologies, digital skills, and opportunities in the digital economy.  Addressing gender disparities in digital and technological sectors is one of the most relevant issues to the mandates of both UN Women and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Africa. This initiative aligns with global trends towards digital transformation and innovation while ensuring that women and girls are not left behind, as supported by the following considerations:

• Digital Gender Divide: There is a significant gender gap in access to and use of digital technologies in Africa. Women are less likely to have access to internet services, digital skills training, and digital devices compared to men. Addressing this gap is essential for ensuring women can fully participate in the digital economy.
• Economic Empowerment: Closing the digital gender divide can contribute to women’s economic empowerment. Digital skills are increasingly essential for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. By equipping women with digital skills, UN Women and ECA can enhance their ability to access better jobs, start businesses, and participate more actively in economic activities.
• Innovation and Development: Investing in women’s digital literacy and entrepreneurship in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can drive innovation and contribute to sustainable development in Africa. Women’s perspectives and participation in technology and innovation are crucial for creating solutions that address local challenges and contribute to inclusive growth.
• Policy Advocacy and Capacity Building: UN Women and ECA can work with governments and stakeholders to advocate for policies that promote gender equality in digital access, education, and entrepreneurship. This includes integrating gender-responsive strategies into national ICT policies, ensuring that women are included in digital infrastructure development, and supporting capacity-building initiatives for women in digital skills and entrepreneurship.
• Data and Research: Conducting research and gathering data on the digital gender gap in Africa can provide evidence to guide policies and interventions. This includes understanding barriers that women face in accessing digital technologies and identifying successful strategies for overcoming these barriers.

By focusing on bridging the digital gender divide in Africa, UN Women and ECA can contribute significantly to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the continent’s evolving digital landscape.

UN Women and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) seek to commission a consultant to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at understanding the current status of the digital gender gap in selected African countries and identifying effective strategies to bridge this gap.

The consultant will be reporting to Regional Policy Advisor Women’s Economic Empowerment.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

• Conduct a literature review and desk research on existing studies, reports, and data related to the digital gender gap in Africa.
• Develop a methodology for primary data collection, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders (government officials, NGOs, private sector representatives, women entrepreneurs, etc.).
• Collect quantitative and qualitative data to assess the digital gender gap, focusing on access to digital technologies, digital literacy levels, and barriers faced by women.
• Analyze collected data to identify key trends, challenges, and opportunities related to gender and digital inclusion in Africa.
• Identify and document case studies of successful initiatives that have effectively addressed the digital gender gap in the region.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for policies, programs, and interventions to bridge the digital gender gap and promote gender equality in the digital economy.

Deliverables

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:

• Leadership in the area of expertise in the region
• Proven experience in conducting research, analysis of the gender digital divide African countries, including levels of access to digital technologies, digital literacy rates among women and barriers encountered.
• Experience in mapping successful initiatives and best practices in bridging the gender digital divide in Africa.
• Experience of working with different stakeholder groups in a multicultural environment.
• Effective writing skills, particularly in communicating technical information in a way that is understood by multiple audiences
• Proven ability to produce high quality reports in English and/or French and to provide evidence-based recommendations to stakeholders, including governments, international organizations and civil society, on policies and interventions to promote gender equality in the digital economy
• Excellent analytical skills
• Ability to perform qualitative and quantitative policy research
• Timely and quality technical advice and support

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Master’s degree in in gender studies, social sciences, economics, international development, or a related field.
• PhD in similar fields is an asset

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in macroeconomics and gender
• Minimum 07 years of proven experience in producing high-quality digital gender gap, providing policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity building conducting studies research, assessment, and developing tools and instruments on gender and digital inclusion
• Experience conducting similar assignments in West and Central Africa

Languages:

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

How to Apply 

• Personal CV 
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page)
• Interested consultants or consulting firms should submit a detailed proposal outlining their approach to conducting the study, including a methodology, work plan, timeline, budget, and CVs of key personnel.

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.)