National Consultant (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)

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About the Organization

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is centred around six core development areas, known as our signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.

Job Description/Responsibilities

The MTR of the UNDP India Country Programme 2023–2027 is conducted to assess progress in the programme implementation, identify challenges, and provide evidence-based recommendations drawn from data, stakeholder consultations, and lessons learned from implementation for course correction and strategic adjustments. This evaluation is essential to ensure that UNDP India remains responsive to the country’s evolving development priorities and aligned with national, regional, and global frameworks, including the UNSDCF, UNDP’s Strategic Plan and UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy. The review will be used to guide future programming and policy, refine implementation, support sustainability and scale up of successful approaches. It will also allow the CO to reassess the existing risks and assumptions to shape the future programming of UNDP in India.

The MTR serves both accountability and learning purposes by assessing the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and contribution to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) of UNDP India’s interventions. It provides key stakeholders—including the Government of India, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, and donors—with an independent assessment of UNDP’s contributions to national development goals. The findings will also support decision-making on resource allocation, programming priorities, and operational strategies for the remainder of the CPD period.

The MTR is particularly significant given the dynamic socio-economic and environmental landscape in India and the world, characterized by shifting policy priorities, economic transitions, climate risks, and persistent inequalities. As UNDP India seeks to maximize its impact, the MTR will generate insights into what has worked well, what challenges remain, and how UNDP can enhance its role as a strategic development partner.

The results of the MTR will be used to:

• Assess the relevance and efficacy of the country programme in a dynamic national and global context, examining the validity of the Theory of Change and the extent to which its underlying assumptions hold in practice.
• Assess key risks and assumptions that may impact CPD implementation and sustainability, providing insights for adaptive management and risk mitigation strategies to shape future programming of UNDP in India.
• Inform mid-course strategic adjustments and corrections to improve programme design and delivery, resource mobilization and impact.
• Enhance strategic decision-making by identifying key areas for strengthened engagement, innovation and gender transformative approaches.
• Support evidence-based planning for the next CPD cycle, ensuring alignment with India’s national development agenda and global commitments like the SDGs.
• Facilitate learning and knowledge-sharing within UNDP and with partners to strengthen future programming.

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, Public Policy, or any other closely related field. Training or certification in gender analysis or inclusive evaluation methodologies will be an asset. Min. years of relevant work experience
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in programme evaluation, monitoring or development research.
• At least 8 years of experience integrating GESI as a core analytical and methodological foundation in evaluations and research—centering intersectionality, systems of power, and social norms.
• Demonstrated experience in evaluating programmes or policies focused on marginalized groups, including women, tribal communities, youth, persons with disabilities, and other communities living in vulnerable conditions.
• Experience working with government partnerships, UN agencies, and multilateral organisations on gender equality and social inclusion.

Required skills and competencies Knowledge and

Technical Expertise:

• Strong knowledge of GESI frameworks, tools, and methodologies, including qualitative and participatory research methods, gender-responsive evaluation approaches, and inclusive data analysis.
• Proven track record of conducting stakeholder consultations, particularly with government institutions, WROs, CSOs working on gender and inclusion, grassroots organizations, and underrepresented communities.
• Strong understanding of national development policies, institutional structures, and programme implementation frameworks relevant to gender equality and social inclusion.
• Robust understanding of development financing and resource mobilization trends, including gender related expenditure and analysis for inclusive programming.
• Strong contextual understanding of India’s sociocultural and geographical diversity, including the associated development challenges.

Desired skills Documentation skills:

• Exceptional analytical and writing skills, with a proven ability to synthesize complex findings into clear, actionable, and gender-transformative recommendations.

 Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards. Required Language(s)
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.

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