Job Code Title:          Senior Technical Consultant – Policy Development in Crafts Sector

Organization:             UN WOMEN

Project:                      Women Artisans of Change (Innovation Fund)

Direct supervisor:       Programme Analyst WEE

Duty Station:              Home Based/New Delhi, India

Type of Contract:        SSA

No. of positions:         1

Duration:                     December 2024 (1 Month – Deliverables based)

*Open to Indian nationals only

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.

UN Women’s Country Office, based in New Delhi, India, works to accelerate the advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women through the strengthening of strategic partnerships, technical and policy advisory services and advocacy with governmental, inter-governmental and civil society partners. In addition, UN Women CO is also leading and coordinating the UN system’s work on gender equality, including through ensuring accountability for results.

Numerous challenges have impeded the growth of women’s entrepreneurship in India, perpetuating their economic marginalization for decades. Traditional mindsets, gender biases, limited economic opportunities, and a lack of capital and resources have all contributed to their struggles. Despite these obstacles, there is an increasingly acknowledged importance in promoting women as entrepreneurs, recognizing their potential to significantly contribute to empowerment and well-being.

Handicrafts have traditionally offered an alternative source of employment in rural India, alongside agriculture, particularly for women. Among these crafts, textiles and handblock printing have stood out as enduring traditions, with roots dating back to the 12th century. The intricate process of block printing involves transferring designs from handcrafted wooden blocks onto fabric, each piece carrying a unique story and cultural heritage.

Various regions across India have developed their distinctive styles within hand block printing, reflecting their rich cultural diversity. For instance, Rajasthan is renowned for its vibrant Dabu, Sanganeri, and Bagru prints, featuring an array of floral, geometric, and animal motifs. Gujarat boasts intricate Ajrakh prints in indigo blue, red, black, and white, while Madhya Pradesh showcases the intricate Bagh prints inspired by nature and local folk art. Uttar Pradesh is celebrated for its stylized Pilakuan and Farukhabad prints, while Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari art unfolds stories of epic tales like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

UN Women initiated a project, Women Artisans of Change (WeACe) to empower women artisans engaged in block printing by fostering collaboration with design students, enhancing traditional practices, and providing market access. The project will collaborate with design schools to train students in eco-friendly block printing techniques. These students will then mentor women artisans, imparting skills in sustainable production methods, new designs, and entrepreneurial development. Introduce eco-friendly techniques of block printing that require less water and utilize natural organic dyes and sustainable fabrics. Promote environmentally responsible textile production to reduce ecological impact and ensure socially responsible manufacturing. Showcase products developed through the project at a fashion show organized at the UN House or in partnership with existing fashion weeks. Leverage UN Women’s networks to attract buyers from the EU and other countries, facilitating export linkages for women artisans. Partner with platforms like Amazon and the Government’s ONDC to market and sell products, expanding market reach beyond traditional avenues. Collaborate with government agencies such as the Ministry of Export and Import, Ministry of Textiles, and Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises to provide access to existing government schemes and financial capital. Facilitate continued livelihood support and market opportunities for women artisans through strategic partnerships.

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the activities of WeACe project. Under the direct supervision under the Programme Analyst (WEE) the consultant will support UN Women in reviewing existing sustainable and innovative practices in the crafts sector. S/he will also develop policy/strategy documents on the status of women artisans in the crafts sector and Also undertake the groundwork for a policy level seminar on sustainability and water saving techniques in Hand Block Printing.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Review the existing sustainable practices in the crafts sector.
• Undertake an evaluation of the women’s status in the crafts sector.
• Advise on Innovation in the crafts sector, ongoing initiatives and prospective options.
• Develop a paper on the existing water techniques in the crafts sector with a focus on hand block printing.
• Support formulation of an Agenda and participants list for a Seminar on innovative and sustainable water techniques in hand block printing.

Deliverables:

• A policy strategy for sustainability in the crafts sector developed and submitted to UNW.
  (Timeline: December 2024, Payment: 20% of Total Consultancy Fees)
• A Paper on women’s status in the crafts sector, challenges, interventions and prospects developed and submitted to UNW.
  (Timeline: December 2024, Payment: 20% of Total Consultancy Fees)
• A policy document on Innovation in the Crafts Sector developed and submitted to UNW
  (Timeline: December 2024, Payment: 20% of Total Consultancy Fees)
• A paper on innovative water techniques in hand block printing developed.
  (Timeline: December 2024, Payment: 20% of Total Consultancy Fees)
• Agenda for the Seminar on Sustainability and innovative water techniques in hand block printing along with list of participants from government, Industry and the Crafts sector developed in consultation with UNW
  (Timeline: December 2024, Payment: 20% of Total Consultancy Fees)Core Values:
• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication and Information Sharing;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing;
• Conflict Management

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
• Focuses on impact and result for the partners and responds positively to feedback

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.)