Individual contractor on Care Economy and Women's Economic Empowerment

To this end, ESCAP's Social Development Division is hiring an individual contractor, under the overall supervision of the Chief of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Section, to undertake the following tasks: Co-lead the organization of the Thematic Working Group on Gender and the Sustainable Development Goals United Nations Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), including preparation of concept notes, programmes, invitations, and presentation materials; coordinating with counterparts at the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), the Chair and other member States; and translating materials into Russian as needed (September 2026). Support the finalization of the publication “The Future is Care: Visioning Inclusive and Resilient Care Systems in Asia and the Pacific”, including incorporating and addressing feedback from peer reviewers, management and the editor and designer (launching October 2026). Prepare substantive materials and provide logistical and communications support for the national consultation on care and entrepreneurship workshop in Mongolia, including development of a concept note, draft programme, invitation letters, and presentations (tentatively October 2026). Provide support to the regional forum on women entrepreneurship in the digital, green and care economies, including preparation of concept notes, programmes, invitations, and presentation materials (November 2026). Support the Asia-Pacific Regional Preparatory Meeting on the Seventy-First Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 71), including preparation of concept notes, programmes, invitations, and presentation materials (December 2026). Support mid-year and end of the year reporting related to ESCAP gender equality and care economy projects and the System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN-SWAP) (June and December 2026). Support the implementation of the letter of agreement between ESCAP and Oxfam Pilipinas, including the small-grants initiative and local government unit good practices mapping (June-December 2026). Provide any other support as requested in alignment with the overall goals of ESCAP's gender equality, care economy and women’s entrepreneurship initiatives.

15/06/26-14/12/26

ESCAP recognizes the crucial role of promoting women's economic empowerment to advance gender equality and address the challenges faced by women and girls in Asia and the Pacific. In the region, women and girls shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care and domestic work, dedicating an average of four times more time to these responsibilities compared to men. This gendered and unequal distribution of care responsibilities restricts the opportunities available to women and girls, hindering their access to quality education, decent work and participation in public life. Policies that recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work are critical to free up women's and girls' time and provide them with greater opportunities, including access to education, employment, and the ability to contribute to the economy. In this context, ESCAP collaborates with governments in Asia and the Pacific to value and invest in the care economy. This includes supporting efforts to harmonize existing legislation toward the reduction and redistribution of unpaid care work, establishing national care systems that include affordable support services for children, older persons and family members with disabilities, and introducing the systematic use of gender-responsive budget initiatives. In addition, ESCAP promotes women’s entrepreneurship as a key pathway to economic empowerment across sectors, including the digital, green, and care economies. This includes supporting the development of gender-responsive policies, strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, and enhancing women’s access to finance, skills development, technology, and business networks. Through multi-stakeholder partnerships and regional knowledge-sharing, ESCAP advances innovative and scalable business models that create sustainable livelihoods and expand women’s participation in economic development.

Advanced university degree in development, social sciences or related field. At least five years of experience in undertaking research and analysis on socioeconomic issues, including previous experience working with UN entities and Governments on gender equality related issues. Experience in the Asia-Pacific region is strongly desired. Strong research and drafting skills are necessary. Experience in providing coordination and administrative support to the organization of events is required.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working level written and spoken Russian is strongly desired

Not available.