Senior Specialist on Gender Equality, Non-Discrimination and Inclusion

Introduction

The position is located in the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific and Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR (DWT/CO-Bangkok). DWT/CO-Bangkok covers the following countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, China (including Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR), the Republic of Korea and Mongolia; Timor-Leste, and the Pacific Island countries of Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.  DWT/CO-Bangkok provides technical support in the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and other ILO country support activities within the framework of outcome-based work plans.
The main role of the position is to ensure that the ILO is a lead reference in the area of gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion in the world of work by coordinating work across the sub-region; providing policy advice and technical support on gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion, promoting integration of gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion in the world of work in DWCPs, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks, National Development Plans and other planning documents and tools in the countries of coverage; ensuring knowledge-sharing on the subject matter throughout the region; and developing knowledge products and tools, and substantive policy content for inter-agency cooperation within the UN system. 
The incumbent will contribute towards planning and overseeing the implementation of the Programme and Budget outcome on gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all.   The incumbent will be accountable for the timely delivery of all outputs under their responsibility, including overall coordination with activities in other technical areas implemented in the region under the Office-wide work plan on the Programme and Budget outcomes related to gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all.
The incumbent works under direct supervision of the [Director, DWT/CO-Bangkok.  The incumbent receives technical guidance from the Chief of the Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI) of the Conditions of Work and Equality Department (WORKQUALITY) at ILO headquarters. The incumbent will be part of the management team of ILO’s Gender Network and a member of the WORKQUALITY Global Technical Team. 
The Senior Specialist works in collaboration with the other specialists in the DWT team on the integration of gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion into their respective work programmes.  The Senior Specialist collaborates with other specialists, in the region, multilateral development banks such as the Asia Development Bank, international financial institutions and with UN agencies at the country and regional levels.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Plan, manage and coordinate across the sub-region a broad programme of work on  gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion in the world of work in Decent Work Country Programmes, UN Frameworks and outcome-based work plans. Lead work streams/teams involved in this work and manage staff and consultants as applicable. 
2.    Lead the design, development, implementation, monitoring and promotion of related programmes, strategies, approaches and policies with a view to enhancing and positioning the Organization’s technical leadership in these areas. Lead, manage and coordinate high-level advocacy and technical and policy advisory services at the regional, subregional, and national levels to advance the Decent Work Agenda and social justice, fostering the integration of cross-cutting policy drivers, including international labour standards, social dialogue, gender equality and non-discrimination, and a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies.
3.    Provide thought leadership in areas of importance to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders, including through the continuous strategic positioning of the Organization and its mandate within the United Nations system. Act as a catalyst in formulating policies on critical issues related to the promotion of decent work across ILO’s strategic objectives and build bridges and synergies between strategic policy areas. Coordinate cross-organizational teams/initiatives to ensure integration and policy coherence to advance broad programme development. 
4.    Review and facilitate the strengthening and effective implementation of inclusive institutional, legal and policy frameworks. Provide authoritative policy and technical advice in the areas of gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion which also includes equal remuneration for work of equal value, violence and harassment in the world of work, promoting women´s employment and entrepreneurship, and investment in the care economy including care leave policies and services  to ILO constituents and other concerned stakeholders with a view to promoting the formulation of inclusive and gender-responsive policies and programmes, and their impactful implementation and monitoring to ensure equitable outcomes. Promote relevant international labour standards.
5.    Support ILO constituents in identifying their needs and provide adequate technical support, including through comparative policy analyses. Facilitate the effective participation and advocacy role of employers’ and workers’ organizations in policy design, implementation and evaluation of decent work programmes and projects.
6.    Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) as well as UN and other development cooperation frameworks. Build and stimulate multidisciplinary initiatives, national plans/roadmaps and activities that promote gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion and contribute to the implementation of the ILO’s transformative agenda for gender equality, with a view to ensuring an integrated approach for the delivery of the Decent Work Agenda.

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7.    Provide stewardship, design, and conduct/coordinate  analytical and policy-oriented innovative research and on gender, non-discrimination and inclusion issues, including regarding frontier/emerging issues, that meets the evolving needs of ILO constituents and other key stakeholders and positions the ILO at the forefront of research in the area of gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion. Analyse major trends, policy options and the root causes and manifestations of inequality and discrimination in the world of work and synthesise this information in order to identify entry points for ILO actions at the regional, sub-regional and sectoral levels, and to contribute to ILO-wide gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion initiatives.

8.    Develop and lead/coordinate the development of policy advice, recommendations, initiatives, strategies on all gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion-related issues  and a range of original and evidence-based technical and policy knowledge products and tools responding to constituents’ needs and priorities and advancing the Decent Work Agenda. Promote and facilitate their dissemination at the regional, sub-regional and country levels. Provide advice and technical support to constituents and other stakeholders on effectively using such tools. Contribute to Office-wide efforts to analyse, document and disseminate lessons learned and information on innovative practices.
9.    Lead the development, review and quality control of major reports, publications, documents and other office documents, including for the Governing Body, International Labour Conference and regional, sectoral and expert meetings.
10.    Support the strengthening of ILO constituents' capacity to design, implement and monitor policies and measures regarding gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion, including multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, and other discriminated populations, in line with relevant international labour standards, taking into account the need for policy coherence and an integrated approach to decent work. Oversee the design of tools and learning materials, pilot new guidelines, lead/coordinate workshops, meetings and other events, using innovative methods, digital platforms and communication tools. Develop and run/implement global and/or regional capacity development programmes, knowledge sharing and training events, including in collaboration with the International Training Centre in Turin (ITC-ILO) and/or with other relevant partners as applicable.
11.    Identify opportunities for technical and strategic partnerships and broker collaborative relationships to benefit the broad areas of the Decent Work Agenda with traditional and non-traditional partners, entities of the UN system, other international organizations, regional and national actors, private institutions, multilateral development banks such as the Asian Development Bank, international financial institutions, research institutions, academia,  civil society, other key stakeholders, with a view to advancing ILO’s strategic objectives, ensuring policy coherence and promoting awareness of ILO’s values and strategic objectives by influencing policy and financing decisions in support of promoting gender equality, non-discrimination and inclusion at work.
12.    Convene and represent the ILO at major international/regional meetings and events, including with strategic players, national and international development partners, international financial institutions and multilateral and regional institutions of the UN system and other key stakeholders/organizations. As the ILO’s technical representative, play a key role in promoting and advocating the Decent Work Agenda.   
13.    Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

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Required qualifications

Education

Advanced level university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social sciences, gender studies, law, development economics, feminist economics, behavioural sciences or other relevant fields.
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least ten years of experience working on labour, employment and social issues with a focus on gender equality and non-discrimination in the world of work, including at the international level.

Languages

Excellent command of English. A working knowledge of another working language (French or Spanish) of the Organization would be an advantage.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, the following are required:

Knowledge and technical/behavioural competencies

Excellent knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches in the area(s) of gender, equality and non-discrimination with the ability to lead and oversee their development and implementation suited to evolving needs and priorities. Detailed and comprehensive expertise in own area to serve as the reference expert across the Organization. 
Excellent knowledge of the full range of policy areas and advanced understanding of the ILO’s mandate. Ability to maintain a comprehensive wealth of knowledge of related external issues.
Technical leadership skills.
Managerial skills for the effective management of human and financial resources. Ability to provide clear direction and to develop, inspire and encourage high-performing, pioneering and motivated individuals and teams, specialized in the technical area of work.
Excellent research and analytical skills. 
Excellent communication skills, negotiation, promotion and advocacy skills.
Excellent drafting skills. 
Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
Ability to build and negotiate strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders and to create innovative opportunities for promoting synergies and ensure organizational results and success over the immediate, mid-term and long-term horizon.
Ability to represent the Organization with authority and credibility and position it as a leader in gender, equality and non-discrimination. Ability to articulate the Organization’s mandate/strategic objectives/programmes when formulating and delivering information and presentations and adapt presentation methodology to address the needs of different audiences. 
Ability to mobilize resources.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate and model gender-responsive, non-discriminatory and inclusive behaviour and attitudes.