National consultant on the development and delivery of training for psychologists and experts involved in pre-trial investigations and trials in cases involving violence against women and children, IC,

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.

As part of its strategic partnership with the Government of Kazakhstan in 2025, UN Women successfully completed the implementation of the tied grant "Assistance to Kazakhstan in the implementation of the Concept of Family and Gender Policy in terms of ensuring gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in Kazakhstan, as well as overcoming the consequences of the crisis caused by the COVID -19 pandemic" for the period 2022–2024.

In 2025, UN Women Kazakhstan, with the support of the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Culture and Information, launched a new project for 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 results 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 policy development, and consistent application of a gender approach in legislation. The project includes measures to strengthen the role of the National Commission, improve monitoring and updating 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.

The project is aligned with national priorities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDGs 5, 16, and 17, and supports the implementation of Kazakhstan's Family and Gender Policy Concept until 2030. It directly contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026–2029, particularly Priority 1: Promoting inclusive, accountable, and gender-responsive governance.

Within the framework of the project, in close cooperation with key national partners - the National Commission on Women's Affairs and Family-Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan - an agreement was reached to establish the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) Knowledge Centre in Almaty.

The 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 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.

In 2025, UN Women, together with national partners, will conduct activities to strengthen the capacity of specialists involved in the investigation and prosecution of cases related to violence.

Psychologists and experts play a key role in these processes, supporting  survivors of violence during pre-trial and trial proceedings. Specialists from Family Support Centers and Crisis Centers are especially important, providing initial assistance and psychological support and coordinating with law enforcement agencies, the prosecutor's office, and the courts.

In this regard, UN Women plans to hold a two-day training for psychologists and experts involved in pre-trial investigations and trials in cases involving violence against women and children in Astana on November 20-21, 2025, in the format of "Training of Trainers".

Tasks and Responsibilities: 

1. Develop a concept and work program for a one-day training (8 academic hours) taking into account international and national standards.
2. Prepare training materials: presentations, methodological recommendations, handouts (checklists, interview templates, recommendations for preventing repeat victimization). Include practical exercises in the program: cases, role-playing games, trial simulations. Additionally, training should include pre-training and post- training skills assessment. 
3. Conduct a training session in Astana for a group of psychologists and experts, including specialists from Family Support Centers and Crisis Centers (online or offline, depending on need).
4. Prepare a final analytical report with conclusions, participant feedback, and recommendations for further use of the program.
5. Prepare a high-quality training package in accordance with the UN Women branding guidelines (training concept note, presentations, training materials, written assignments, and other relevant intellectual products) for posting on the Act For Equal Central Asia digital learning platform. 

Expected learning outcomes. Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

1. Know:
   
   • international and national standards and legal frameworks on the protection, support, and access to justice for women and children who have experienced violence;
   
   • psychological consequences of trauma and their impact on pre-trial and trial proceedings;
   
   • Gender-sensitive, ethical standards and principles for preventing repeat victimization.

  2. Be able to:

• apply a gender-sensitive and trauma-oriented approach in pre-trial and trial proceedings;

• integrate and adapt successful international practices for providing psychological and social support to women and children who have experienced violence;

• prepare comprehensive and ethically sound expert opinions and psychological assessments for use in coordination with relevant authorities and services.

3. Practice:

• interdepartmental interaction (expert – investigator – prosecutor – court – social services, FSC);

• use of methods for assessing the condition of persons who have been subjected to violence;

• skills in protecting rights and interests in a judicial context.

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: 

Education:

Higher education in psychology, clinical psychology, law, social sciences or related fields.

Additional certificates/courses in psychotraumatology , gender equality, and human rights will be an advantage.

Experience:

At least 7 years of experience in the field of psychology, psychotraumatology and/or forensic examination.

Proven experience working with women and children who have been subjected to violence, including through interaction with law enforcement agencies, the prosecutor's office, and the courts.

Experience of cooperation with Family Support Centers and Crisis Centers, understanding their role in the response system.

Experience working with government agencies and/or international organizations (UN, OSCE, WHO, etc.).

Functional skills:

In-depth knowledge of international and national standards, mastery of a trauma-focused approach and methods for preventing repeat victimization; ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment (investigators, prosecutors, judges, psychologists, specialists from family support centers and crisis centers); excellent communication and facilitation skills, the ability to adapt training programs to different target groups of specialists, and a focus on quality and ethical work.

Language requirements:

Excellent written and spoken Russian skills are required.

Excellent written and spoken Kazakh language skills will be an advantage;

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.