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Background/Context

UN Women’s Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces approach addresses sexual harassment and other forms of violence against women and girls in public spaces through locally owned, evidence-based and multisectoral action. In Madhya Pradesh, UN Women works with state and city institutions to strengthen gender-responsive urban governance by linking women’s lived experiences and safety evidence with coordinated planning, budgeting, infrastructure and service improvements, institutional capacity, community participation, and stronger prevention and response systems. Within this broader state-level focus, Jabalpur provides an important city-level platform to translate these principles into sustained institutional practice and a model that can inform learning and replication across Madhya Pradesh.

Jabalpur launched its Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces initiative in July 2025, building on the Bhopal Declaration and city leadership. The first year established the foundation for city-level action through institutional coordination, safety assessments, public-space improvements, capacity development, community engagement and public awareness.
The next phase will focus on consolidation and institutionalization rather than expansion of standalone activities. This includes strengthening monitoring, evaluation and learning systems; embedding gender-responsive approaches within the routine functioning of Jabalpur Municipal Corporation, Police, Women and Child Development, Transport, Railways, Education, Tourism, Health and allied departments; and ensuring that women’s safety, accessibility and inclusion are reflected in planning, budgeting, maintenance, service delivery and review mechanisms.

By the end of the assignment, the consultant is expected to help UN Women and city partners achieve a clearer institutional model for safe and enabling public spaces in Jabalpur: validated evidence and trackers in use; costed and owned departmental action plans; visible and monitored improvements in priority locations; strengthened referral and response linkages; and practical documentation that supports sustainability and replication in other cities of Madhya Pradesh.

Within this context, UN Women seeks a Gender Coordinator to support the State Lead and Policy Specialist, Madhya Pradesh, in providing city-levelclose coordination, technical assistance, monitoring with the State Lead on, documentation and learning support for the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces initiative in Jabalpur. The role will prioritize consolidation of existing work, institutionalization of gender-responsive approaches across relevant departments, and evidence-based planning for sustained improvements in public spaces

Required Qualifications

Education
•    Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Development Studies or a related field.

Experience
•    At least five years of relevant professional experience in gender equality, EVAW/GBV, urban governance, public-space safety, community development or related fields.
•    Demonstrated experience working with government, preferably urban local bodies, district administration, police, transport or other public-service institutions.
•    Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder programmes, undertaking participatory assessments, facilitating capacity development, and monitoring implementation.
•    Experience in results-based reporting, analysis and development of practical tools, guidance notes or knowledge products.

Language and Digital Skills
•    Professional proficiency in English and Hindi is required.