UN Women: National Consultant – Consultant to Support Women’s Economic Empowerment through Business Formalization, VSLA Strengthening, and Financial Inclusion – Freetown

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.

Phase I contributed significantly to strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender equality at the local level, including the establishment and operationalization of gender units, provision of essential tools, and increased awareness of gender-related laws among over 15,000 community members. Capacity-building efforts also targeted journalists, gender focal persons, and councilors to promote gender-responsive governance and reporting.

A key output of Phase I was the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) mapping exercise, which highlighted persistent systemic constraints affecting both communities and local councils. These include weak local economic systems, limited financial inclusion, restricted market access—particularly for women and youth—alongside institutional capacity gaps, weak revenue bases, and fragmented governance structures.

The findings underscored that women, youth, and marginalized groups face significant barriers to formal economic participation, including informality of businesses, limited access to financial services, and weak linkages to markets. At the same time, local councils face challenges in effectively supporting inclusive economic development due to capacity limitations, outdated systems, and inadequate integration of gender-responsive economic strategies.

Phase II responds to these challenges through an integrated, evidence-based approach aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing service delivery, and expanding economic opportunities. This consultancy directly contributes to Output 2.3: Women and youth, particularly persons with disabilities, economically empowered through formalization and business enhancement for improved access to financial services and market opportunities in targeted districts.

Within this framework, business formalization, strengthening of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and improved linkages to formal financial institutions are critical entry points for advancing women’s economic empowerment, strengthening local economic governance, and promoting inclusive growth.

.Objectives of the Assignment

Overall Objective

To strengthen women’s economic empowerment and financial inclusion through integrated support to business formalization, VSLA strengthening, and access to formal financial services in targeted districts.

Specific Objectives

• Work with local councils for business formalization combined with business management capacity-building for women entrepreneurs.
• Establish new and strengthen existing VSLAs using gender-transformative approaches that promote inclusion, leadership, and sustainability.
• Conduct VSLA trainings
• Facilitate effective linkages between VSLAs and formal financial institutions to expand access to financial services, savings products, and credit.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Under the supervision of UN Women Programme Specialist – Planning and Coordination Analyst, and in collaboration with the MDAs and implementing partners, the consultant will undertake the following:

Key Activities

Business Formalization Clinics and Capacity Building

• Operationalize integrated business formalization clinics within selected local councils.
• Facilitate registration processes for women entrepreneurs, including:
• Business name registration
• License and compliance
• Tax identification (e.g., NRA processes)

Deliver tailored capacity-building sessions covering:

• Business planning and management
• Financial literacy (savings, budgeting, cash flow management)
• Record keeping and pricing strategies
• Market access and basic value chain understanding

VSLA Establishment and Strengthening

• Conduct VSLAs trainings
• Strengthen existing VSLAs through:

Governance and leadership training

• Financial management and record keeping
• Transparency, accountability, and internal controls

Key Deliverables

Inception Report

• Inception Report (methodology, detailed workplan, stakeholder engagement plan) Business training, Formalization Clinics Report

VSLA Training report

• Financial Linkages Report (Number of VSLAs linked to financial institutions, Accounts opened and financial services accessed)

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:

• Strong knowledge of gender equality and women”s rights issues, political science, law, and development.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives of Member States as well as CSO representatives.
• Proven networking skills, and ability.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of the UN system and familiarity with inter-governmental processes.
• Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet and office software packages
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Masters Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Gender Studies, or related field
• Bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in: Women’s economic empowerment, Enterprise development and business formalization, VSLA programming and financial inclusion
• Proven experience of relevant work in the field of gender equality and women’s rights including proven experience in women’s CSOs or gender-based violence
• Proven experience working with local councils, MDAs, and community structures
• Strong understanding of gender-transformative programming
• Experience engaging with financial institutions and market systems
• Strong facilitation, training, and report-writing skills
• Extensive Substantive Experience in conducting VSLAs training and business development trainings evaluations
• Experience in programme design and results-based management.
• Experience in working in a multicultural environment.
• Sound knowledge of international standards on human rights, women’s rights and related instruments.
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder organizations is essential: governments, CSOs, and the UN/ multilateral/bilateral institutions.
• Experience in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating development programmes and projects

The candidates shall provide relevant reports to evidence their experience related to the key activities of this consultancy.

Languages:

Fluency in English and krio is required.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women”s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.