Job Description

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments with a membership of 181 Member Parliaments and 15 Associate Members. The IPU works to promote democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action. A key strength of the IPU since its founding has been its ability to connect Member Parliaments with each other and leverage their collective political strength to accelerate progress on key global issues, including gender equality and women's rights and empowerment.
The IPU recognizes gender equality as a key component of democracy and works to achieve the equal participation of men and women in politics. It mobilizes parliaments and supports them to be more representative and inclusive institutions by increasing women's political participation and leadership, transforming themselves into gender-sensitive institutions that deliver on women's rights and advancing gender equality by eliminating gender-based discriminations and violence against women. To mobilize, accelerate, and support parliamentary action, in 2025, the IPU launched its Campaign .
Through a UN Women grant, the IPU has been implementing one of the components of the European Union-funded Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE). In this initiative, UN Women, the IPU, International IDEA, and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), are implementing the WYDE/Women's Leadership component through a Project entitled: Advancing Women's Political Participation and Decision Making through Social Norms Change, Networking and Global Advocacy.
In 2026, in the framework of this Project and other partnerships, the IPU will carry out research and organize events, meetings, and empowerment activities to promote women's political participation and leadership.
Accountabilities
Under the supervision of the Manager of the Gender Partnership Programme, the Project Officer will support the implementation of global projects, partnerships and multistakeholder coalitions and networks, as well as campaigns and empowerment initiatives and platforms.
In these frameworks, the Project Officer will:

• Organize and support IPU's global meetings and events, as well as take part and ensure IPU's input in activities led by partners as required
• Prepare meeting documents, speeches, notes and reports
• Carry out research and produce and disseminate related content
• prepare communications materials and other documents, including news stories and updates of the IPU website and other information sharing platforms
• Ensure visibility of IPU's work, guidelines and publications
• Liaise with IPU Member Parliaments, partner organizations, and multistakeholder coalitions
• Cooperate with staff in other IPU programmes as necessary
• Respond to queries and requests for information received by the IPU
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• Carry out other tasks as required

Deliverables in 2026

• Prepare, participate in and follow up to regular coordination meetings of the International Gender Champions, the Generation Equality Forum, and the Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE)
• Support up to 6 activities and initiatives involving multiple partners quarterly
• Contribute to quarterly reports on activities and achievements
• Liaise with parliaments, carry out surveys and prepare IPU reports to the 92nd, 93rd and 94th sessions of the CEDAW Committee
• Organize up to 2 webinars on CEDAW for parliaments under review
• Facilitate parliamentary input to upcoming CEDAW General Recommendation 41 on stereotypes
• Support the preparation and proceedings of meetings and side events at the:

• 152nd and 153rd IPU Assemblies,
• the 2026 parliamentary meeting and side events at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), and
• 2026 Global Conference of Women Parliamentarians
• Support at least 3 parliaments in promoting or implementing the IPU Campaign Achieving gender equality, action by action
• Support a minimum of 6 outreach initiatives to men and international leaders through IPU activities
• Developing and implementing the campaign's monitoring, evaluation, and reporting frameworks for 2026
• Propose frameworks and tools for men's engagement in gender equality
• Organize a minimum of 6 consultations with MPs and/or experts and partners
• Support the production, launch and dissemination of at least one IPU publication

Required experience and qualifications

• University degree in political science, international relations, or law; specialization in gender studies an asset.
• At least five years of experience in work related to gender equality and/or women's rights, experience of work in gender equality in a parliamentary or inter-parliamentary setting a strong asset.
• Experience in work to support global multistakeholder networks and coalitions, support to the engagement of leadership/mandate holders in such initiatives a strong asset.
• Experience in a parliamentary or inter-parliamentary setting as well as familiarity with the work of international organizations, experience of work with the IPU a strong asset.
• Familiarity with the work of treaty bodies, knowledge of and experience with the CEDAW Committee a strong asset.
• Experience in organizing multistakeholder events and meetings with partners, experience of work in a project with multiple partners a strong asset.
• Experience in the implementation of a campaign and related monitoring and evaluation, experience in a campaign promoting human rights and/or gender equality a strong asset.
• Excellent drafting skills and experience in developing communication tools.
• Complete fluency in English or French and working ability in both languages.
• Personal attributes of initiative, self-motivation and sound judgement. Aptitude for human contacts and resourcefulness. Team spirit. Adaptability to varying working environments and conditions.
• General computer skills (MS Office applications, internet).

Time frame and conditions
This Consultancy is home-based with possibility of working at our Headquarters in Geneva. The Project Officer will undertake this work over a time frame commencing on 5 January 2026 and concluding on 31 December 2026. He/She will be expected to work a maximum of 220 days. Possibility of a one-year extension - based on an annual appraisal of performance and budget availability.
The IPU shall cover the expenses related to the missions that the Project Officer may need to carry out for purposes of the above assignments.

Skills Required