Gender Specialist

Job Vacancy | Thursday, March 30, 2023

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

ADB has an ongoing organizational review which may result in the change of department/group and/or reporting arrangement(s). By proceeding with your application, you acknowledge and accept the possibility of such changes resulting from the organizational review.

This is a special fixed-term appointment for a period of three (3) years following Section 3.1 (c.) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 (“Recruitment and Appointment’). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. It may be extended on exceptional basis for a further fixed period at the option of ADB. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

Important Notice:

1. Multiple positions will be filled from this vacancy announcement.

2. Actual position title and level will be based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and job scope that will be assigned to the selected candidates.

3. The positions are to be assigned to the Gender Equality Thematic Group within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC), but selected candidates may be redeployed to the operations departments.

Overview

Asian Development Bank (ADB) is an international development finance institution headquartered in Manila, Philippines and is composed of 68 members, 49 of which are from the Asia and Pacific region. ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. ADB combines finance, knowledge, and partnerships to fulfill its expanded vision under its Strategy 2030.

ADB only hires nationals of its 68 members.

The position is assigned to the Gender Equality Thematic Group (SDTC-GEN) within the Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department (SDCC) and will be strategically placed in the Front Office of either the South Asia Department (SARD), Southeast Asia Department (SERD) or Central West Asia Department (CWRD).

SDCC provides leadership, innovation, and knowledge sharing for ADB’s sector and thematic work. SDTC-GEN provides technical leadership for gender equality operations and strategic operational support for gender mainstreaming across all sector and thematic areas in line with ADB’s Strategy 2030 Operational Plan for Priority 2: Accelerating Progress in Gender Equality 2019-2024. SARD, SERD and CWRD are responsible for maintaining client relations and delivering ADB assistance to the developing member countries (DMCs) in their repective sub-region, including country programming, project development, policy dialogue, partnerships, and development and dissemination of operationally relevant knowledge.

To view ADB Organizational Chart, please click here.

Job Purpose

The Gender Specialist will contribute to, monitor and report on corporate gender equality and women’s empowerment[1] commitments for the regional departments (RD) to which they are strategically placed. The position will act as a second gender focal point anchor for the RD, working alongside and backstop the work of the primary gender anchor in providing technical direction for gender in the assigned RD. The position will provide technical support in the areas of gender equality for processing and administration of loans, grants and technical assistance (TA); and assist DMCs in the sub-region in promoting gender equality and promoting women’s empowerment, including intersectional approaches. The position will also carry out operationally relevant gender research and analysis; contribute to engagement with Governments in policy dialogue, and support the provision of gender capacity development; coordinate with development partners on gender issues; and provide inputs to ADB’s activities to support gender equality in projects/programs and TAs across all sectors.

The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Gender Equality Thematic Group, SDTC-GEN, in coordination with the relevant RD Director. The relevant RD Director will also provide supervisory inputs to the incumbent’s annual workplan and performance review. The incumbent will be strategically placed in the Front Office of the relevant RD and will receive technical guidance and support from SDTC-GEN and designated international staff from the relevant RD.

 

[1] Including social inclusion dimensions consistent with an intersectional approach to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

 

Responsibilities

a. Strategy and Planning

  • Supports the implementation of ADB's Strategy 2030 Operational Plan for Priority 2: Accelerating Progress in Gender Equality.
  • Maximizes opportunities for advancing gender equality in the design and processing of new projects and programs categorized as Gender Equity theme (GEN), Effective Gender Mainstreaming (EGM) and Some Gender Elements (SGE).
  • Identifies, develops, and implements assigned loans, TA projects, and knowledge products and services related to gender equality operations in the sub-region.
  • Provides inputs to the formulation of the Indicative Country Pipeline and Monitoring (ICPM) Report and its updates by providing gender and social sector inputs in the formulation of the ICPM, relevant sector roadmaps, mid-term ICPM review and annual updates.
  • Supports policy dialogue with relevant government agencies on gender equality policies and strategies.


b. Project Design, Implementation, Monitoring and evaluation

  • Participates and provides inputs in the design of loans, grants and TA aimed at promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and intersectionality approaches across sectors, including as part of ‘One-ADB’ teams, as appropriate.
  • Complements the role of project teams in promoting the effective monitoring and implementation of assigned projects, with a focus on project-specific gender action plans (GAPs); provides inputs during inception and mid-term review missions, as needed.
  • Supports the preparation and review of Project Completion Reports (PCRs). This includes providing technical guidance, substantive comments and edits, especially for draft PCRs and their Gender Annex.
  • Identifies issues and coordinates identified actions to address them through interactions with project Executing and Implementing Agencies (EAs/IAs), contractors, consultants, and project beneficiaries; prepares measures to address the issues and implement the measures. Coordinates with project gender consultants to identify and address challenges in the project implementation, with a focus on project GAPs with a view towards tracking, reporting or enhancing on gender equality results of RD operations.
  • Supports the recruitment, contracting and managing of consultant contracts, including providing leadership and support in the delegation of tasks and responsibilities to other members of the gender team and consultants.
  • Contributes to rolling-out ADB’s approach to preventing and addressing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) in RD operations, in coordination with Resident Mission and safeguards staff.


c. Capacity Building

  • Provides leadership, technical guidance, mentoring and support to RD Gender Specialists.
  • Supports the development and delivery of training to ADB staff, EA/IAs and project staff on gender mainstreaming, GAP implementation, monitoring and reporting.


d. Knowledge Sharing

  • Participates in and contributes to internal and external training and conferences on gender equality and other activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building.
  • Contributes to the creation of knowledge solutions on gender and development, including case studies, blogs, gender briefings, and regular country-specific gender updates.
  • Develops and maintains networks and contacts on gender and development and poverty reduction to keep abreast of the latest developments and issues.
  • Contributes substantially to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building on gender and development both internally and externally.
  • Contributes proactively to bank-wide gender initiatives and actively engages as a member of ADB’s gender job family.

Qualifications

Relevant Experience & Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in international development, gender studies, economics, public policy, social sciences or a related field. Master’s degree and/or advanced training preferable.
  • At least 6-8 years of relevant professional experience working on gender mainstreaming and/or gender projects and programs, and 4 years of supervisory experience. Familiarity with and/or understanding of ADB’s approach to gender mainstreaming is preferable.
  • Experience of working on gender with the private sector will be considered an asset.
  • Demonstrated experience working in monitoring and evaluation – preferably with a focus on gender data and statistics, applied to gender projects/programs.
  • Strong research capacity and experience;
  • Proven ability to engage effectively, and to develop and deepen partnerships with external stakeholders, including government officials, multilateral, and bilateral donors, CSOs.
  • Experience in gender capacity development and/or design or delivery of training.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including tailoring for different formats and audiences.
  • Communications experience, including with online platforms and social media, is an asset.
  • Leadership qualities, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to work collaboratively and constructively within and across teams.

Please refer to the links for ADB Competency Framework for IS 3/4

General Considerations

The selected candidate, if new to ADB, is appointed for an initial term of 3 years.

ADB offers competitive remuneration and a comprehensive benefits package. Actual appointment salary will be based on ADB’s standards and computation, taking into account the selected individual’s qualifications and experience.

ADB seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities to work in an inclusive environment. ADB encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note that the actual level and salary will be based on qualifications of the selected candidate.