UNESCO WWAP coordinates the production of the UN World Water Development Report (WWDR), which is the flagship publication of UN-Water. The 2026 edition of the Report will be dedicated to water and gender. The WWAP Water and Gender Team will have an important role in the content discussions and development of this edition.
UNESCO WWAP also participates in inter-agency discussion and collaborations for the SDG 6 gender contextualization.
Within the framework of the UNESCO and the Italian Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the UNESCO “World Water Assessment Programme – WWAP”, under the overall supervision of the WWAP Coordinator and direct supervision of the Senior Water and Gender Programme Specialist, the International Senior Gender Expert is requested to develop activities with outputs related to the WWAP Water and Gender component. The consultant will carry out tasks in the following categories:
WWAP publications:
Support the editorial process of WWAP gender and water documents and publications including content-editing and proofreading of selected text. Support the WWAP Water and Gender Team in the content-related discussions and preparation of selected chapters of the WWDR 2026 dedicated to water and gender.
Water and gender project implementation:
Under the coordination of the Senior Water and Gender Programme Specialist, support the execution of activities related to WWAP water and gender component with focus on the GEF/FAO project CMDA Mekong River Basin between Cambodia and Vietnam. Activities may include assistance in the development of inception project documents and workplans; support in the execution of project activities, which may include: assistance in the recruitment of national consultants, support in the implementation of gender and livelihood analyses, development and implementation of WWAP training activities, and development of project reports for donor and colleagues. Support the organization of project-related outreach and delivering presentations when needed.
Water and gender advocacy and inter-agency collaboration:
Support the organisation of water and gender events. Tasks may include revision of submitted abstracts as required, support in agenda development and participation as speaker/moderator as required. Assist in the participation in interagency activities, such as those related to related to the SDG 6 gender contextualization process as required.
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
Required Competencies:
Qualifications:
Advanced university degree in a relevant field e.g. environment, natural sciences, or social sciences; MSc or above
Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements
At least 10 years of professional experience, preferably in the fields of development in its intersection with natural resources, social sciences, gender.
Field experience in implementing gender, education, capacity development and/or natural resources projects in contexts of diverse complexity.
Proven experience interacting with diverse stakeholders, especially ministerial/governmental parties.
Experience with community selection and community mobilization.
Experience in design and execution of quali and/or quantitative social studies, including gender analyses.
Experience in design and implementation of training programmes and skill development.
Experience in Asia and Africa, a plus.
Excellent command of English in written and oral communication with expertise in editorial processes.
Very good IT skills.
Ability to prioritize and deliver meeting deadlines.
Ability to work as part of a team, create networks and deal with participatory processes.
