UN Women National Technical Consultant – Women Artisans of Change (Crafts Sector) - Women's Economic Empowerment Programme, Home Based, India

UN Women 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. The India Country Office accelerates gender equality through strategic partnerships, technical advisory services, and advocacy with governmental, inter-governmental, and civil society partners, while leading UN system coordination on gender equality.

The textile sector in India, a major employer of women, presents opportunities for economic empowerment through handloom, handicrafts, and allied value chains. UN Women’s partnership with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, aims to strengthen women’s leadership, skills, entrepreneurship, and market participation while promoting environmentally sustainable and circular production practices. The Women Artisans of Change (WeACe) initiative supports women artisans and weavers through capacity-building, design innovation, market access, and institutional partnerships, fostering sustainable livelihoods and decent work.

About the role

The Technical Consultant will support the implementation of UN Women’s partnership with the Ministry of Textiles and the WeACe initiative under the supervision of the Programme Analyst (Women’s Economic Empowerment). Responsibilities include technical support for project activities, coordination with government and development partners, capacity-building programme design, knowledge product development, research, advocacy, and event planning.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for UN Women’s initiatives on women’s economic empowerment in the handloom, handicrafts, and textile sector.
• Coordinate with the Ministry of Textiles, government agencies, implementing partners, industry, and academic institutions to support programme implementation.
• Design and facilitate training programmes, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives on gender, entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable textile practices.
• Develop technical reports, policy briefs, concept notes, proposals, knowledge products, and communication materials.
• Support research, documentation, and advocacy on women artisans, weavers, and circularity in the textile sector.
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of consultations, conferences, exhibitions, and flagship events, including Bharat TEX.
• Support partnership development, resource mobilization, and engagement with government, private sector, and development partners.
• Monitor programme implementation, document lessons learned, and prepare donor and programme reports.
• Provide technical and coordination support for major convenings, including Bharat TEX and National Handloom Day.
• Maintain regular coordination with the Ministry of Textiles, implementing partners, industry stakeholders, and civil society organizations.
• Identify and support partnership-building and resource mobilization opportunities.
• Provide monthly technical inputs for programme monitoring, progress reviews, and reporting.
• Undertake other technical and programmatic assignments as required.

Deliverables

• Organize at least 1 capacity-building workshop/session per month for women weavers, artisans, or stakeholders, including training curricula and materials.
• Conduct at least 2 consultations/meetings per month with women weavers, artisans, or collectives to inform programme implementation.
• Deliver knowledge products, including technical reports, training reports, policy briefs, proposals, and communication materials.
• Produce 1–2 social media/communication outputs per month highlighting programme activities and results.

Requirements

• Degree in design, fashion technology, or a related field. A first-level university degree with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the handloom, handicrafts, textile sector, or sustainable/circular economy.
• Sound knowledge of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, particularly in livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and value chains.
• Expertise in developing training manuals and conducting workshops in the textile sector.
• Experience working with government institutions, development partners, private sector, and civil society organizations.
• Strong technical writing skills for reports, proposals, policy briefs, and knowledge products.
• Experience designing and facilitating workshops, consultations, and capacity-building programmes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with digital collaboration tools is an asset.
• Experience with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset.
• Strong written skills in English and proficiency in Hindi.

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.
• Functional Competencies: Positive and constructive attitude, strong oral and written communication, focus on impact and results, responsiveness to feedback.

Evaluation and Selection

Shortlisting criteria include required degree (5 points), relevant experience (10 points), and experience working with government on gender issues (5 points). Selection will be based on interviews (80 points) and writing samples (20 points).

For travel-related assignments, consultants aged 65 or older must provide a medical fitness certificate. The consultant must use their own computer equipment and is expected to work full-time without outside engagements during the assignment.