Junior Non-key Expert for Armenia (Women and Energy)

The Project “EU4Gender Equality: Reform Help Desk” is funded by European Commission DG NEAR and implemented in coordination with NIRAS Sweden. The overall objective of the project is to increase the knowledge base and use of a gender analysis in decision-making and reforms by the Eastern Neighbourhood governments and EU Delegations to deliver effective and equal results to all, both women and men.

The ultimate goal of the project is to achieving the following three main results:
1. Expert advice on the inclusion of a gender analysis in policy-making and in reform implementation progress has been provided to Eastern Neighbourhood governments and EU Delegations.
2. Staff in Eastern Neighbourhood governments and EU Delegations involved in reforms are better informed about the impact of gender-responsive reforms on inclusive and sustainable development and have improved capacity to develop evidence-based and analytically sound reforms.
3. The evidence base on the impact of reforms on women in Eastern Neighbourhood countries has improved and been appropriately disseminated to select target groups.

To achieve these results, services will be provided by NIRAS TEAM that includes activities related directly to:
- Technical assistant, such as responding to direct demands from EU Delegations and governments in the EaP countries concerning for example support with gender assessment of policies and laws, as well as support with gender mainstreaming in programme identification and formulation;
- Capacity development, including actions such as the development of joint engagement plans with EU Delegations and governments, facilitation and organisation of events, trainings, and mentoring services, as well as the arrangement of study visits between EaP countries and to the EU;
- Knowledge management, consisting of the collecting local and external research (e.g. from academic institutions or think tanks), assembly and development of knowledge products, and development of a comprehensive repository for knowledge sharing and learning, to facilitate information exchange, increase coherence and promote gender mainstreaming in reforms, planning and budgeting with a specific focus on the EaP countries and Neighbourhood countries.

The aim of this specific assignment is to develop and deliver a Report on women in energy sector in Armenia (hereafter the ‘Report’). The JNKE shall be working under the overall supervision of the Team Leader (TL) and Key Expert 2: Regional Coordinator for the Reform Helpdesk. The consultant shall also coordinate her/his work with Key Expert in Armenia and in close cooperation of the MLSA Armenia, and ensure a close collaboration with them /the assigned focal point.

The consultant will conduct the following tasks as part of her/his work:
• Define the methodology of the research via coordination of MLSA Armenia.
• Develop the tools for the qualitative research (questionnaires and instructions for interviews).
• Analyse the interviews findings; Provide a desk review of international standards, local situation, best practices.
• Deliver first draft of Report (up to 30 pages) based on desk review and interviews fundings, including recommendations. The first draft submitted to the MLSA.
• Finalise Report in accordance with the MLSA comments.
• Any other tasks related to the project results, as requested by DG NEAR and/or Team Leader.

The list of Specific Tasks may not be exhaustive and can be expanded upon necessity, and mutual agreement.

Qualifications required:
Skills - Proven research and organisational skills including working with tight deadlines. - Demonstrated communication skills, adaptability and flexibility. - Demonstrated coordination and collaboration skills, and ability to work effectively with State Institutions. - Ability to work on an autonomous basis and at distance. - Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications. Languages - Excellent oral and written command of Armenian. - Good oral and written command of English (desirable).

Professional experience required:
- Advanced university degree; advantage given to candidates with advanced degrees in social and/or political science/ economics with topics related to gender mainstreaming or public administration. - At least 10 years of professional experience. - Experience in gender analysis / gender mainstreaming in social assistance/social inclusion policies/programmes/projects. - Proven experience working with EU institutions, international organisations and/or government stakeholders is required. Proven experience in providing expert support to public servants and international partners. - Previous experience working with the energy sector in Armenia. - Experience of providing easy, understandable recommendations and conclusions related to gender mainstreaming in public administration to governmental agencies and/or international cooperation partners.