National Consultant on developing the legal and methodological framework for gender-responsive budgeting in the Republic of Kazakhstan, UN Women, IC

Background:

UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, is an active advocate for the interests of women and girls at the global level. UN Women assists UN Member States in setting international norms and standards for achieving gender equality and collaborates with governments and civil society in developing laws, policies, programs and services necessary to implement these standards. 

UN Women actively promotes the equal participation of women in all spheres of life, focusing on five priority areas of action: strengthening women's leadership and participation in society; elimination of violence against women; involvement of women in solving the whole range of issues of ensuring peace and security; empowering women in the economy; ensuring the central role of gender equality in national development planning and budgeting processes. UN Women also coordinates work to promote gender equality throughout the UN system. 

In 2025, UN Women in Kazakhstan in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information and with support of the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, launched a new project for the period of 2025-2027: "Promoting increased legal protection for women, strengthening gender equality, and ensuring women's full participation in the socio-political life of the country". 

The new project builds on existing achievements and aims to achieve long-term change in the empowerment of women and girls in Kazakhstan. It includes coordinated capacity building for national partners, deeper integration of gender aspects into budgeting and policymaking, and consistent application of gender expertise of legal acts in Lawmaking processes. The project includes measures to support the National Commission, through provision of the informational support and logistical support to organize its experts and members to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Concept of Family and Gender Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030, enhance media coverage of gender equality issues, and support women's political participation and professional development. 

As part of the project, in 2025 within the project UN Women with support of national partners established a Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Knowledge Center (GEWE Knowledge Center) in Almaty. The GEWE Knowledge Center will become a national platform for capacity building, policy dialogue, and evidence-based implementation. It will serve as a hub for capacity development, research, dissemination of best practices, and knowledge sharing. 

The GEWE Knowledge Center's activities will ensure the long-term sustainability of project initiatives by providing stakeholders with the necessary tools and resources to maintain momentum in advancing gender equality. Institutionalizing gender-responsive budgeting and integrating gender equality policies into national and regional strategies will promote equitable governance, improved resource allocation, and systemic, long-term policy change.

UN Women has implemented Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) interventions in more than 80 countries and is globally recognized for its strong technical expertise in this area. In Kazakhstan, a pilot project was implemented in 2021-2022 in the Akmola region to test approaches for introducing gender budgeting in the social protection, healthcare, and education sectors. In addition, introductory video materials were developed for the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the continued integration of GRB into budget planning procedures, a Road Map was developed in 2025 and presented to national partners from the relevant key ministries, with its draft proposed for approval by the National Commission. In addition, two training courses on GRB were conducted for approximately 60 representatives from 22 ministries, including staff from finance, economy, and strategic planning departments.

In 2026, UN Women will continue promoting the institutionalization of GRB in Kazakhstan through strengthening strategic planning, regulatory frameworks, and budget processes, as well as delivering capacity-building activities for representatives of central and local executive bodies and institutions responsible for budget planning, implementation, methodological support, and oversight. As part of these efforts, UN Women will engage an International Consultant to provide technical expertise and a National Consultant to support the development of recommendations and proposals for amendments to legislation, regulatory legal acts, and methodological guidance required for the effective implementation of GRB. The proposed legal and methodological package will be presented during the round table with Members of Kurultai and key national stakeholders to facilitate dialogue and secure support for advancing the GRB reform agenda under the newly elected Kurultai.

The national consultant will be reporting to Programme Specialist and supported by Project Manager, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.   

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work

The National Consultant will support the adaptation and operationalization of the technical recommendations developed by the International Consultant within the legal, institutional and public financial management framework of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Consultant will be responsible for translating the proposed GRB reforms into draft legal, regulatory and methodological documents, facilitating consultations with national stakeholders, and supporting the legislative and institutional processes required for the implementation of GRB in Kazakhstan.

Under the direct supervision of the UN Women Programme Specialist and Project Manager, the National Consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables:

1. Apply the methodology developed by the International Consultant to conduct a gender analysis of the indicator systems of the development plans of three Ministries and prepare recommendations for strengthening the integration of gender-responsive indicators into the state planning and budgeting framework of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The assignment will also include presenting the findings during capacity-building activities jointly with the International Consultant and contributing to technical discussions with national stakeholders. 
2. Prepare text of draft legal and regulatory amendments based on the recommendations and methodological approaches developed by the International Consultant to support the institutionalization of GRB within the public finance management system of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This will involve drafting amendments to secondary legislation, regulatory legal acts and other normative documents governing state planning and budget processes, ensuring consistency with the proposed GRB methodology, national legislation and international good practices. 
3. Prepare the complete legislative package required for the submission of the proposed legislative amendments in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for submission to the Kurultay of the Republic of Kazakhstan and/or relevant state authorities (including, as applicable, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Commission on Women's Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy), depending on the type of legislative amendments and the applicable legislative procedure.
4. Facilitate the national consultation, coordination and legislative review process related to the proposed GRB reforms by participating in consultations, inter-agency coordination meetings, working groups and technical discussions with relevant government institutions; preparing responses to comments and recommendations received from stakeholders. 
5. Prepare the legal, regulatory and administrative documentation required to operationalize the institutional model developed by the International Consultant for establishing a specialized GRB advisory and capacity-building mechanism within the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development. 
6. Support the organization and delivery of the Round table with newly elected Kurultay members (Parliament) on GRB by preparing presentations, background materials and briefing notes on the proposed legal and regulatory reforms; presenting the proposed legislative package jointly with the International Consultant; addressing  comments and recommendations received from Members of Kurultay  and national stakeholders; and contributing to the preparation of the final summary report, including agreed follow-up actions.

Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following deliverables. Final dates and the payment schedule may be adjusted by mutual agreement.

Deliverables Expected completion time  Payment Schedule

Prepare an inception report and detailed workplan outlining the methodology, timeline, stakeholder consultations, and approach for the assignment. Apply the methodology developed by the International Consultant to conduct a gender analysis of the indicator systems of the development plans of three Ministries and prepare recommendations for strengthening the integration of gender-responsive indicators into the state planning and budgeting framework of the Republic of Kazakhstan.  Prepare draft legal and regulatory amendments based on the recommendations and methodological approaches developed by the International Consultant to support the institutionalization of Gender-Responsive Budgeting within the public finance management system of the Republic of Kazakhstan.  Prepare the complete legislative package required for submission of the proposed amendments in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, for submission to the Kurultay of the Republic of Kazakhstan and/or relevant state authorities (including, as applicable, the Ministry of National Economy, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Commission on Women's Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy), depending on the type of legislative amendments and the applicable legislative procedure.	Before September 20, 2026	30% of Contract sum
5. Facilitate the national consultation, coordination and legislative review process related to the proposed GRB reforms by participating in consultations, inter-agency coordination meetings, working groups and technical discussions with relevant government institutions; preparing responses to comments and recommendations received from stakeholders.  6. Prepare the legal, regulatory and administrative documentation required to operationalize the institutional model developed by the International Consultant for establishing a specialized GRB advisory and capacity-building mechanism within the Kazakhstan Institute for Public Development.  7. Support the organization and delivery of the round table with newly elected Kurultay members (Parliament) on GRB by preparing presentations, background materials and briefing notes on the proposed legal and regulatory reforms jointly with International consultant.	Before October 10, 2026	30% of Contract sum
8. Prepare and submit a concise final synthesis report summarizing completed activities, recommendations and legislative package required for submission to the competent government authority for the institutionalization of GRB in Kazakhstan.	Before November 20, 2026	40% of Contract sum

UN Women support to the national consultant: 

UN Women Kazakhstan, within its capabilities, will provide support to a National Consultant to facilitate communication within the project National Consultant will work under the direct supervision of UN Women Kazakhstan Programme Specialist and Project manager. Final report should be submitted in Russian. 

 Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel 

National Consultant is expected to work remotely and travel to Astana to conduct the training as well as meeting with the Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development, National Commission and other relevant partners. All expenses related to travel will be included in the contract sum.  

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 technical knowledge of gender equality, gender-responsive budgeting;
• Excellent analytical skills of budget planning system and preparing amendments to the national legislation, standards and policy recommendations;
• Knowledge of the international and national Public Finance Management system; 
• Stakeholder engagement skills, including government bodies, media outlets and civil society.

Education and Certification:

• University Degree in economics/finance/pubic finance management/social policy, gender studies, public administration

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in Gender Responsive Budgeting
• Proven experience in reviewing/drafting legislation in the field of GRB and/or gender equality
• Extensive experience in public finance management, strategic planning and GEWE mainstreaming
• Proven experience working with UN agencies and governments authorities
• Proven experience in conducting training sessions on GRB for the government agencies

Languages:

• Excellent written and spoken Russian is mandatory. 
• Working knowledge of English will be an asset.

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.