Gender-Based Violence and Social Specialist – United States of America

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Gender-Based Violence and Social Specialist for a ict, private sector consultancy assignment financed by UN-Women in United States of America.

Aninver Development Partners is preparing a technical proposal for an upcoming UN-Women consultancy assignment focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence, private sector technology, and social protection in the United States of America. As conversational agents and AI systems become increasingly ubiquitous, users frequently turn to these technologies during personal crises, including situations involving domestic and gender-based violence.

To address critical gaps in safety, accuracy, and ethical standards exhibited by current AI models, we are seeking a qualified Gender-Based Violence and Social Specialist. This expert will play a pivotal role in designing safety criteria, evaluating empathy standards, and establishing appropriate domestic violence referral pathways to ensure technology serves as a safe bridge to real-world help.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Evaluate the safety, empathy, risk assessment, and appropriate referral pathways embedded in conversational agents and automated AI tools.
• Identify output patterns, vulnerabilities, and potential harms in AI responses to disclosures of domestic violence.
• Develop concrete, evidence-based recommendations and standards for AI developers and policymakers to improve responses to sensitive disclosures.

Scope of work

• Design a comprehensive testing and auditing framework specifically tailored to evaluate AI conversational agents and automated tools when confronted with disclosures of domestic violence.
• Establish evaluation criteria covering safety protocols, empathy, accuracy of risk assessment, and the provision of valid referral pathways and helpline information.
• Execute systematic testing and auditing of selected AI models and conversational agents using standardized disclosure scenarios.
• Analyze output patterns, response consistency, and adherence to safety and ethical guidelines across different platforms.
• Synthesize findings from the AI testing phase to identify systemic gaps, risks, and best practices in current AI responses.
• Develop comprehensive recommendations and guidelines for technology developers, standard-setting bodies, and policymakers to enhance user safety and support mechanisms.

Your role as Gender-Based Violence and Social Specialist

• Design social and ethical safety criteria for evaluating artificial intelligence and conversational agents handling sensitive disclosures.
• Evaluate empathy standards and risk assessment protocols within automated AI tools during simulated disclosures of domestic violence.
• Establish appropriate, context-sensitive domestic violence referral pathways and helpline integration standards for technology platforms.
• Collaborate with technical testing teams to interpret social science dimensions of AI output patterns and potential harms.
• Contribute expert insights to the synthesis of findings regarding safety gaps in current AI responses.
• Draft actionable guidelines and recommendations for technology developers and policymakers to improve support mechanisms for vulnerable users.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Public Health, or a related social science discipline.
• Demonstrated professional experience in gender-based violence prevention, response programming, or crisis support systems.
• Familiarity with digital safety, technology-facilitated abuse, or the intersection of social welfare and digital platforms.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to translate complex social insights into actionable policy recommendations.
• Fluency in English with excellent written and oral communication skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience working with international organizations, UN agencies, or private sector technology firms on ethical AI or digital safety initiatives.
• Experience in developing safeguarding policies, referral protocols, or crisis helpline standards.

An empathetic social science professional with deep expertise in gender-based violence response, crisis support pathways, and digital safety standards seeking to influence ethical AI development in the United States of America.

Assignment details

• Location: United States of America
• Financed by: UN-Women
• Sector: Ict, private sector
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a UN-Women-financed project in United States of America.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.