National Consultant on Gender-Responsive Municipal Energy and Climate Planning, NOC, Sarajevo, BiH

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. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UN Women is implementing activities under the UN Women–UNDP UN-to-UN Agreement “Understanding the Challenges and Current State of Energy Poverty” , under Pillar 1 – Decarbonization and Climate Resilience of the Green Transition Portfolio, funded by the Government of Sweden. The intervention contributes to a just and inclusive green transition by strengthening the evidence base on gender-responsive approaches to energy poverty, enhancing women's capacities for climate resilience and green transition, and promoting women's meaningful participation in local energy and climate planning processes. To achieve these objectives, UN Women is implementing three mutually reinforcing activities: Activity 1.: Conduct gender-responsive energy poverty assessment; Activity 2: Deliver gender-responsive training for women on climate resilience, green job skills, environmental awareness related to sustainable practices and community health; Activity 3: Facilitate women's engagement in municipal energy/climate planning. These activities are designed as an integrated intervention, with evidence and stakeholder inputs generated under Activity 1 informing the design and implementation of Activities 2 and 3. The specific scope, sequencing and implementation arrangements for the activities supported under this consultancy are described in the Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work below. To support the implementation of all Activities, UN Women will engage an interdisciplinary team of three national consultants with complementary expertise in gender equality, vulnerability and social inclusion in energy poverty policy, gender-responsive green skills and capacity development, and gender-responsive municipal energy and climate planning. While each consultant will assume lead responsibility for a specific technical area, all three consultants are expected to work collaboratively throughout the assignment to ensure coherence across activities and contribute to integrated technical outputs, under the overall UN Women leadership and coordination. The National Consultant on Gender-Responsive Municipal Energy and Climate Planning will serve as the technical lead for Activity 3 . The consultant will contribute technical expertise on municipal energy and climate planning to the Gender and Energy Poverty Dialogues under Activity 1. and to the capacity development programme under Activity 2, and use relevant evidence, stakeholder inputs and learning from these activities to inform the municipal engagement process. The consultant will lead the design, preparation and delivery of the municipal engagement activities under Activity 3, including the methodology, practical tools, workshop materials and facilitation approach, working closely with the other national consultants to ensure consistency and complementarity across the assignment. The consultant will report to the UN Women Programme Analyst – Gender-Responsive Climate Action , under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Specialist, who will provide direct technical supervision, coordinate the consultant's work with the other national consultants and relevant UN Women and UNDP personnel, and review and approve deliverables. Programme Assistant will serve as the focal point for contractual and payment-related matters. Description of Responsibilities / Scope of Work The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership for the design, preparation and delivery of municipal engagement activities under Activity 3, drawing on available evidence, stakeholder inputs and learning from Activities 1 and 2 to support women's meaningful participation in municipal energy and climate planning and decision-making. The consultant will work as part of an interdisciplinary team of three national consultants supporting Activities 1, 2 and 3. While assuming lead responsibility for Activity 3, the consultant will contribute technical expertise to the preparation and facilitation of the Gender and Energy Poverty Dialogues under Activity 1 and identify relevant opportunities, barriers and entry points for municipal engagement. The consultant will also contribute to the design and delivery of the capacity development programme under Activity 2 within the consultant's area of expertise. Component 1: Technical Input to Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Dialogue The consultant will contribute technical expertise to three in-person Gender and Energy Poverty Dialogues (Dialogues) planned for 28–30 September 2026, to be held in Zenica, Mrkonjić Grad, and Brčko, for approximately 30 participants per dialogue. Participants will include representatives of relevant government institutions and local authorities, civil society organizations, academia, social service providers, organizations representing vulnerable and marginalized groups, development partners, and women and men with lived experience of energy poverty. The dialogues will provide a platform for discussing available and emerging evidence on energy poverty alongside gender and stakeholder perspectives and lived experiences, and for considering their implications for relevant policy and institutional frameworks in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Discussions will address, as relevant, gender aspects in energy and climate policy, social protection, just transition, local energy and climate planning, and relevant strategies and legislation, and will generate stakeholder inputs and recommendations to inform subsequent activities under the Green Transition Portfolio. The consultant will: Contribute technical inputs and materials on municipal energy and climate planning and participatory municipal processes to the preparation of the dialogues; Co-facilitate the dialogues, in coordination with the consultant leading Activity 1; Identify relevant opportunities, barriers and entry points emerging from the dialogues for strengthening women's participation in municipal energy and climate planning; Contribute inputs to the Dialogue Summary Report, particularly those relevant to Activity 3; and Participate in the national policy dialogue during SDG Week 2026 and identify relevant implications for municipal engagement under Activity 3. Component 2: Technical Input to Gender-Responsive Green Skills and Capacity Development The consultant will contribute technical expertise on municipal energy and climate planning and participatory planning processes to the design and delivery of the gender-responsive capacity development programme under Activity 2. The programme will comprise three two-day capacity development workshops for approximately 50 women from selected municipalities, indicatively planned for March–April 2027, to be delivered in three locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina – one in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in Republika Srpska and one in Brčko District – with the specific locations determined based on the participating municipalities.The workshops are strengthening women's knowledge, skills and confidence to participate in and benefit from the green transition. The programme will address climate resilience, energy poverty, sustainable practices, environmental awareness and community health, green economy and green job opportunities, and women's participation in local climate and energy governance, and will include participant assessment and a competency-based certification approach. The programme will be informed by available preliminary evidence generated under Activity 1 and relevant stakeholder inputs and will serve as a preparatory step for women's subsequent participation in municipal energy and climate planning under Activity 3. Where feasible, each capacity development workshop will be followed by the corresponding municipal engagement session under Activity 3, allowing participants to apply the knowledge and priorities developed through the gender-responsive capacity development process in structured engagement with relevant municipal stakeholders. Working in collaboration with the consultant responsible for capacity development, the consultant will provide substantive content within the consultant's area of expertise, while the capacity development consultant will lead the overall curriculum, learning methodology, programme design, delivery and reporting. The consultant will: Contribute municipal energy and climate planning and participatory planning perspectives to the overall design and preparation of the capacity development programme; Develop and deliver technical content and materials on municipal energy and climate planning, opportunities for women's participation and relevant participatory planning processes at all three workshops; Co-facilitate the three capacity development workshops; and Contribute substantive inputs within the consultant's area of expertise to the Capacity Development Summary Report prepared by the capacity development consultant, including relevant participant perspectives, priorities and recommendations for subsequent municipal engagement under Activity 3. Component 3: Technical Leadership for Municipal Energy and Climate Planning The consultant will lead the design, preparation and delivery of municipal engagement activities under Activity 3. The activities will comprise three municipal engagement sessions in selected municipalities, indicatively planned for April–May 2027, to be delivered in three locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina – one in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in Republika Srpska and one in Brčko District – with the specific locations determined based on the participating municipalities. The workshops are designed to support women’s meaningful participation in municipal energy and climate planning and decision-making processes. The sessions will provide structured opportunities for participating women to engage with relevant municipal stakeholders, bring forward their priorities, perspectives and recommendations, and contribute to discussions on local energy and climate priorities and planning processes. The municipal engagement sessions will build on the corresponding capacity development workshops under Activity 2. Where feasible, each municipal engagement session will follow the corresponding two-day capacity development workshop, enabling participating women to apply the knowledge and priorities developed through the capacity development process in structured engagement with relevant municipal stakeholders. The sessions will also draw on relevant evidence and stakeholder inputs generated under Activity 1. The municipal engagement activities will, where feasible, be linked to existing or planned municipal energy and climate planning processes, rather than creating parallel consultation mechanisms. Municipality selection will take into account relevant local needs and vulnerabilities, ongoing or planned Green Transition Portfolio interventions and opportunities for women's participation in municipal planning processes, in coordination with UN Women, UNDP and relevant municipal stakeholders. The engagement approach will promote inclusive participation and take account of barriers that may limit the participation of women and underrepresented groups. Working in collaboration with the other national consultants, the consultant will lead the overall methodology and implementation approach and integrate their respective technical contributions into the municipal engagement process. The consultant will: Develop the municipal engagement methodology and implementation approach; Develop criteria and an approach for identifying municipalities with ongoing or planned energy and climate planning processes suitable for engagement under the project; Develop practical tools, session plans, facilitation guidance and supporting materials for the three municipal engagement sessions; Lead and facilitate the three municipal engagement sessions; Support the structured articulation and discussion of women's priorities and recommendations relevant to municipal energy and climate planning; and Prepare the Municipal Engagement Summary Report, with inputs from the other national consultants, documenting key issues, women's priorities and recommendations, stakeholder perspectives, and implications for inclusive municipal energy and climate planning. Deliverables The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs in accordance with the indicative timeframe: Deliverable Expected completion time (due day) Number of working days Payment Schedule (optional) Deliverable 1. Gender and Energy Poverty Dialogues – technical contribution. Technical inputs and materials within the consultant's area of expertise provided for the three Gender and Energy Poverty Dialogues; dialogues co-facilitated; and inputs on relevant opportunities, barriers and entry points for municipal engagement provided for inclusion in the Dialogue Summary Report and subsequent design of Activity 3. with inputs received from other national consultants and approved by UN Women. 9 October 2026 5 15 October 2026 Deliverable 2. Activity 3 – first draft programme and materials. First draft municipal engagement programme and materials developed in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, including criteria and an approach for identifying municipalities, methodology for supporting women's meaningful participation in municipal energy and climate planning, proposed structure of the three municipal engagement sessions, session plans, practical tools and facilitation approaches, shared with the other national consultants for technical review and inputs, and submitted for UN Women approval 31 October 2026 8 Deliverable 3. Activity 2 – technical contribution. First draft of the Activity 2 capacity development programme and materials reviewed within the consultant's area of expertise, and substantive recommendations and technical inputs provided to the consultant leading Activity 2. 7 November 2026 2 Deliverable 4. Activity 3 – second draft programme and materials. Second draft municipal engagement programme and materials prepared, incorporating inputs from the other national consultants, including the methodology and implementation approach, session plans, facilitation guidance, practical tools and supporting materials for the three municipal engagement sessions, and submitted to UN Women. 15 November 2026 5 30 November 2026 (Deliverables 2–4) 2026 TOTAL 20 Deliverable 5. Activity 3 – implementation readiness. Municipal engagement programme and materials revised following UN Women feedback and finalized for implementation; the consultant's technical content and delivery materials finalized; and implementation preparation completed with inputs from the other two national consultants. 15 March 2027 3 Deliverable 6. Activity 2 – delivery and reporting contribution. Technical content within the consultant's area of expertise delivered and the three capacity development workshops co-facilitated; substantive inputs provided to the Capacity Development Summary Report , including participant perspectives, priorities and recommendations relevant to subsequent municipal engagement under Activity 3. 15 April 2027 3 Deliverable 7. Activity 3 – delivery and reporting. Three municipal engagement sessions led and facilitated; women's priorities and recommendations supported through structured engagement with relevant municipal stakeholders; and the Municipal Engagement Summary Report prepared in English, with inputs from the other two national consultants, documenting key issues, women's priorities and recommendations, stakeholder perspectives and implications for inclusive municipal energy and climate planning. 30 April 2027 9 14 May 2027 (Deliverables 5–7) 2027 TOTAL 15 TOTAL 35 Reporting Requirements All narrative reports, technical documents and other knowledge products shall be submitted in English, unless otherwise agreed with UN Women. Training materials, technical guidance documents and other materials intended for implementation under Activities 2 and 3 will be prepared in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian. UN Women Support To facilitate delivery of the above outputs, UN Women will provide the consultant with: Relevant project documentation and background materials related to the Green Transition Portfolio, including methodology, data and findings from the Gender-Responsive Energy Poverty Assessment, as available; Existing UN Women technical documentation, capacity assessments and other relevant evidence to inform the design of municipal engagement activities; Technical guidance and feedback on deliverables; Coordination with relevant project partners, national counterparts and other stakeholders, as required; Logistical and administrative support for meetings, dialogues, workshops and other project activities; and Relevant data, reports and other materials developed under the project, as available. Consultant's Workplace and Official Travel This is a home-based consultancy requiring travel within Bosnia and Herzegovina. The consultant is expected to travel to and participate in: the three Gender and Energy Poverty Dialogues which will be held in Zenica, Mrkonjić Grad, and Brčko; the national policy dialogue organized as part of SDG Week 2026 in Sarajevo; the three capacity development workshops under Activity 2 to be delivered in three locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina – one in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in Republika Srpska and one in Brčko District – with the specific locations determined based on the participating municipalities; and the three municipal engagement sessions under Activity 3 to be delivered in three locations across Bosnia and Herzegovina – one in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one in Republika Srpska and one in Brčko District – with the specific locations determined based on the participating municipalities. Any travel to field locations will be pre-arranged and approved in consultation with the supervisor, with all travel expenses covered by UN Women Competencies : Core Values: Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity. Core Competencies: Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example. Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning • Demonstrates sound technical understanding of municipal energy and climate planning, sustainable energy, climate resilience and their gender dimensions. • Demonstrates sound analytical skills and the ability to translate evidence and stakeholder inputs into practical municipal engagement approaches and implementation methodologies. • Demonstrates knowledge of municipal planning processes, participatory planning approaches and stakeholder engagement methodologies. • Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. • Seeks and applies relevant national and international good practices related to gender equality, climate action, municipal energy and climate planning and participatory municipal governance. • Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Development and Operational Effectiveness • Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to develop high-quality methodologies, technical guidance documents, workshop materials and practical implementation tools. • Demonstrates strong facilitation skills, including the ability to engage municipal authorities, community representatives and other stakeholders through participatory approaches. • Demonstrates the ability to design practical methodologies and tools supporting women's meaningful participation in municipal energy and climate planning. • Ability to synthesize complex technical information and translate it into practical guidance for municipal implementation. • Ability to coordinate multiple technical workstreams, manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines. • Uses information technology effectively as a tool for collaboration, knowledge management and technical implementation. Leadership and Self-Management • Focuses on achieving high-quality results and responds positively to feedback. • Demonstrates initiative, sound judgement and a proactive, solution-oriented approach to problem solving. • Remains calm, organized and effective when working under pressure and managing multiple assignments. • Builds and maintains effective working relationships with government institutions, municipal authorities, development partners, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. • Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and commitment to UN Women's mandate and values. Education and Certification Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Climate Change, Sustainable Energy, Environmental Engineering, Urban or Spatial Planning, Public Administration, Public Policy, Sustainable Development, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or another discipline relevant to the requirements of this ToR or a first-level university degree in a relevant field in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. PASS/FAIL Experience Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated experience in municipal energy and climate planning, including SECAPs or other local energy and climate planning instruments, sustainable energy planning, climate resilience, local development planning or related municipal planning processes. (40 pts) Minimum three (3) years of demonstrated experience in developing methodologies, technical guidance, implementation tools, workshop materials or other practical resources supporting municipal energy, climate or local development planning processes. (30 pts) Minimum five (5) years of demonstrated experience in designing and facilitating participatory planning processes, stakeholder consultations, workshops or other multi-stakeholder engagement activities involving municipal authorities and communities, including integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations into municipal energy, climate or local development planning processes. (30 pts) Language Fluency in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian is required. PASS/FAIL Fluency in English is required. PASS/FAIL Statements : In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. 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