UN WOMEN: International Consultant, Home-based, Gender and Environmental Human Rights Specialist

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.

Women are often at the forefront of environmental justice movements because they are directly affected by climate change, especially in sectors like agriculture, water access, and resource management. Many EHRDs focus on advocating for equitable transitions, ensuring that women are not left behind as countries move toward green recovery. They advocate for policies that include skilling programs for women in the renewable energy sector and push for gender-responsive labor policies that address the wage disparities and limited access to social protections that women often face.

Women EHRDs in many countries are advocating for better water management policies that prioritize the needs of women and marginalized groups, who bear the brunt of water scarcity and contamination. These advocates often work in conflict-affected areas, where damaged infrastructure and displacement exacerbate natural resources’ access issues. Women EHRDs play a key role in amplifying the voices of those directly impacted by water crises and pressuring governments and international bodies to uphold human rights and make investments in sustainable environmental solutions.

Achieving a just, inclusive, and sustainable transition requires targeted investments and gender-responsive policies. This is where the work of women EHRDs becomes essential to shape the future of energy, land management and water systems and that the needs of the most vulnerable groups are addressed and environmental governance is inclusive, rights-based, and focused on human dignity and equity, especially in regions where resources are scarce, and infrastructure is fragile.

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.

In Europe and Central Asia (ECA), UN Women is strengthening its analytical and evidence-generation work to inform gender-responsive climate action, disaster risk reduction, and environmental governance. This includes contributing to the upcoming global Progress of the World’s Women (POWW) 2026:
Gender Equality in the Age of Climate Crisis.

As part of this effort, UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) will develop a regional companion factsheet aligned with the global POWW report, with a dedicated focus on women environmental human rights defenders (WEHRDs). This is particularly timely in light of increasing constraints on civic space in the region, as well as recent global policy developments recognizing the role and protection needs of women environmental defenders.

The analysis will also connect to relevant legal frameworks such as the Aarhus Convention, particularly in relation to access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters.

The consultancy will contribute to developing a concise, advocacy-oriented product that highlights emerging evidence, and supports UN Women’s engagement in global policy processes, including COP
17 and COP
31.

The consultant will report to the Regional Humanitarian/DRR/CCA Specialist, who will be the point of contact on the contract and deliverables.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for developing a regional POWW factsheet (approx. 10–15 pages) ensuring clarity, coherence, and strong policy relevance.

Specifically, the consultant will:

1. Produce a focused analysis on women environmental human rights defenders (WEHRDs)

• Analyze the role and contributions of WEHRDs in ECA

• Identify key risks and challenges, including violence, harassment, and restrictions on civic…