Consultancy Opportunity: UN Women – Study on Sustainable Jobs in the Blue Economy for Women in East and Southern Africa (Home-Based, Nairobi, Kenya)
Agency: UN Women Africa
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (home-based)
Contract Duration: 40 working days across 4 months
Application Deadline: 11 September 2025
Function: Economic Empowerment
Job Type: Individual Consultancy
Languages Required: English
Organizational Context
UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, works globally to eliminate discrimination against women and girls and achieve gender equality. As part of its regional initiatives, the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is commissioning a consultancy to develop a comprehensive study that identifies sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women in the Blue Economy across East and Southern Africa (ESA).
Background
Africa’s Blue Economy—comprising sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine transport, coastal tourism, offshore energy, and marine biotechnology—is a major driver of sustainable development. As of 2019, the Blue Economy contributed nearly US$300 billion to Africa’s GDP and supported 49 million jobs.
Despite women playing key roles—particularly in post-harvest activities, seafood trade, tourism, and small-scale aquaculture—their contribution is often undervalued. Social norms, gendered access to resources, lack of infrastructure, and limited representation in governance structures hinder women’s full participation and leadership in high-value areas of the Blue Economy.
Purpose of the Assignment
This study aims to fill the gap in gender-specific data and insights related to women’s participation in the Blue Economy in ESA. It will identify:
- Regional trends and opportunities for women’s employment and entrepreneurship
- Gender-responsive policy environments
- Investment opportunities for small-scale infrastructure
- Good practices and scalable models from across the region
- Key barriers to women’s participation and leadership
The findings will support evidence-based programming and policymaking, contributing to ongoing and future Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) initiatives in the region.
Key Responsibilities
The consultant, reporting to the Regional Policy Specialist on WEE, will:
- Develop an Inception Report:
- Define the scope of the Blue Economy in ESA
- Map key sectors and trends in women’s employment
- Propose methodology and work plan
- Conduct a Literature Review:
- Analyze gender-responsive legal and policy frameworks
- Identify public and private investment trends
- Review best practices from existing projects
- Collect and Analyze Data:
- Conduct up to 10 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
- Analyze secondary data sources (e.g., labor force and agricultural surveys)
- Examine the intersection of gender, socio-cultural norms, and employment trends
- Draft and Finalize Reports:
- Prepare a draft analytical report
- Provide a final report with policy and programmatic recommendations
- Include a policy brief and a presentation slide deck
Deliverables & Timeline
| Deliverable | Timeline | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Inception report with methodology and action plan | September | 25% |
| Draft literature review and analysis | Sep–Oct | |
| Draft report on employment and entrepreneurship opportunities | Oct–Nov | 35% |
| Final report, policy brief, and presentation deck | Nov–Dec | 40% |
Methodology
The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining:
- Quantitative analysis of secondary data
- Qualitative insights from KIIs
- A gender-responsive and intersectional lens
- Case studies and models from across ESA countries
Required Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree in development studies, marine policy, gender and development, economics, or a related field is required.
- A bachelor’s degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in gender, Blue Economy, marine policy, or environmental governance
- Proven understanding of the linkages between gender and Blue Economy sectors
- Experience with research or program implementation in East and Southern Africa
- Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, analytical reports under tight timelines
Languages
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of other UN languages (e.g., French, Arabic) is an asset.
Core Competencies
- Gender sensitivity and awareness
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Stakeholder engagement and communication
- Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs
- Cultural and regional adaptability
For details, refer to the UN Women Competency Framework.
UN Women’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
UN Women is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity and does not discriminate on any basis. All employment decisions are made on qualifications, competence, and organizational needs.
UN Women maintains a zero-tolerance policy on sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All shortlisted candidates will undergo reference and background checks.
If you require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.
Apply Now
Interested applicants must submit a complete application including a CV and cover letter. Ensure that all sections of the application form are fully completed. Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
Apply by 11 September 2025, 05:59 AM EAT.
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