TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
For the position: Regional Trainer-Consultant – Gender analysis in transboundary water decision-making
Target group: Participants of Women in Water Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan, regional branch of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network
Context: Consultation and training workshop to co-design regional research activity ‘Baseline Gender Gap Assessment in Transboundary Water Management’
Project: Blue Peace Central Asia (2025-2029)
Introduction
These Terms of Reference (ToR) have been prepared to recruit a short-term consultant to design and undertake a regional in-person consultation workshop for participants of the “Women in Water Management in Central Asia and Afghanistan,” the regional branch of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network, and other invited stakeholders including members of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network branch in the South Caucasus.
The Women in Water Diplomacy Network (WWDN) is a global community of practice comprised of both formal and informal women water diplomats, decision-makers, and experts, representing a wealth of collective experience and expertise with focus on shared waters with focus on water insecure and conflict sensitive regions of the world. Originating in the Nile Basin in 2017, the Network is now a global community of women water leaders and allies working collectively to strengthen women’s leadership in transboundary water decision making with support from a global coalition of partners and member communities in the Nile, Central Asia-Afghanistan, Southern Africa, North America, the South Caucasus and elsewhere. The Women in Water Diplomacy Network is guided by our Global Strategy, ‘A Path Forward for Women, Water, Peace and Security,’ the Network’s Handbook (2025, first edition), and our Global Leadership Council supported by the Network’s Process Support Team and partners.
Strategic Pillar Three of the Network’s 2022-2027 Global Strategy aims to ‘support multi-disciplinary research cooperation among Network members and other institutions and partners.’ Pillar three specifically identifies the need for countries and regions to Undertake baseline assessment of gender equality in transboundary water decision making for each country engaged in Network; identifying barriers, opportunities, and examining drivers of gender inequities related to water cooperation.
This consultation and training workshop aims to develop and pilot a baseline study methodology and support capacity building of practical skills of participating Network members and stakeholders to contribute to the baseline assessment in Central Asian countries. The pilot regional study will contribute to similar actions by the Women in Water Diplomacy Network in other regions and basins globally.
The workshop is being implemented as part of Blue Peace Central Asia (BPCA), a global initiative of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched in 2017 in Central Asia to strengthen cooperation on water between countries, sectors, and generations in the interests of peace, stability, and sustainable development. The current phase of BPCA is being implemented by an international consortium of IWMI and IUCN in partnership with the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC). One of the key areas of BPCA is capacity building for youth and empowerment of women in the water sector. Since 2025, the BPCA has supported the work of the Women in Water Management Network, which was established in 2021with the assistance of the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), and CAREC in collaboration with other partners of the Women in Water Diplomacy Network.
Position information
| Position | Regional Trainer-Consultant on Gender Studies |
| Desired start date | October 1, 2025 |
| Reporting | Project Manager (PM) |
Trainer’s responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the PM, the trainer-consultant develops and agrees on the detailed content of a one-day workshop, including presentations and methodological materials to support the participants in undertaking data and analysis as part of a baseline gender gap assessment in the context of transboundary waters for Central Asia.
The workshop will take place on November 26, 2025, in Tashkent.
Consultant responsibilities:
- Develop presentation materials for the sessions, including:
- approaches and tools for gender analysis in water resource management and water diplomacy;
- case studies of similar research with a focus on transboundary basins;
- a package of methodological materials for conducting research in Central Asia (questionnaires, interview guides, field and office work plans, matrices, etc.).
- Preparation of interactive group exercises for the seminar:
- clear description of exercises with defined objectives, step-by-step implementation, and timing;
- necessary handouts for participants.
- Conducting a one-day seminar based on the prepared materials together with the project team (joint facilitation).
- Development of a preliminary action plan with the initiative research group:
- definition of roles;
- data sources;
- methods of collecting and verifying information;
- calculation of necessary financial resources.
- Contribution to the post-event report (2–3 pages) — preparation in collaboration with the project team.
- Mentoring support for the initiative research group during the research:
- 3–4 online consultations;
- assistance in finding and selecting the necessary literature.
- Final editing and proofreading of the final report in English for submission to the donor (deadline for submission is April 2026).
The organization of the seminar and invitations to participants are fully provided by CAREC.
Measurable results of the trainer’s work
Expected final results of the Consultant’s work:
- a) A complete set of materials for the seminar, including presentations, methodological recommendations for conducting research, handouts for practical exercises, and other supporting materials for all training sessions.
- b) A report on the seminar in offline format.
- c) Final report on the results of the research conducted in English.
Period of work
Duration of work: from October 2025 to April 2026.
Start date: October 1, 2025 (tentative)
The final work schedule for the Consultant will be agreed with CAREC after the selection of candidates. The work schedule will set clear deadlines for the completion of each expected result.
Indicators for evaluating the results of the work
The quality of the work performed must comply with the above list and the agreed deadlines. The final report on the study must be accepted by the donor. The consultant is obliged to ensure compliance with research ethics principles (informed consent, anonymization, proper data storage). All prepared materials are transferred to the Project; rights to their use are determined in accordance with the intellectual property policies of SDC and IWMI.
Contract payments
The amount of remuneration will be determined based on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate and agreed upon during the interview.
All expenses related to travel to/from the workshop venue, accommodation, and meals for the trainer must be included in the consultant’s fee.
The BPCA team can assist with hotel reservations and ticket purchases if necessary.
Accountability
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the PM. As the work progresses, the consultant will share the expected results with the PM for approval.
Place of work
It is expected that the Consultant will work from home and make trips as necessary to complete the assignment.
Requirements
The Consultant must:
- Hold a master’s degree in social sciences, political sciences, anthropology, international relations, or related fields;
- Proven experience in conducting social and gender research and reporting in the field of water, agriculture, or related fields at the national level or in other Central Asian countries.
- Have experience in conducting capacity-building activities (trainings, seminars) for various audiences.
- Possess strong analytical, communication, presentation, and writing skills in English and Russian. Knowledge of one or more national languages of Central Asian countries is welcome.
- Have well-developed skills in diplomatic communication and constructive interaction with various participants.
- Have a good understanding of the context of the Central Asian region.
- Have the mobility to fulfill the technical assignment.
In their resume, candidates should clearly indicate their previous experience in conducting training sessions, as well as provide information on their fees for similar services and the contact details of two references (preferably representatives of the hiring organizations).
Applications should be sent by email to empspecialist@carececo.org with a copy to wisassistant@carececo.org , indicating “BPCA Gender Expert” in the subject line.
The deadline for applications is October 30, 2025.
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.
