National Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Project aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) to design, implement, and partly finance low emissions and climate-resilient projects aligned with its global commitments. The project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the Delivery Partner, in close collaboration with the National Designated Authority (NDA) - the Department of Planning and Finance (DPC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).

The project has the following objectives:
•     Objective 1 – Capacity building: To enhance NDA and Ministries capacity to design and implement GCF projects and streamline climate data collection, analysis, and information sharing systems
•     Objective 2 – Strategic Frameworks: To undertake a comprehensive Readiness Needs Assessment, update the GCF Country Programme and develop new financial mechanisms for investment in climate action
•     Objective 4 – Pipeline development: To further develop a concept note in the Country Programme and studies for the Funding Proposal while building capacity of the Environment Protection Fund as its potential DAE
•     Objective 5 - Knowledge sharing and learning: To support NDA and line ministries to learn from other countries, prepare and disseminate knowledge products on GCF programming and develop new financial mechanisms for sustainable investment in climate action

The Project Management Unit (PMU), based at DPC/MAE, is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the project under the direction of the NDA and in line with technical guidance from FAO.  

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR) for Lao PDR and the Assistant FAOR (Programme), with overall guidance of the GCF National Designated Authority (NDA) and in consultation with the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other experts of FAO Laos and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

Technical Focus

To ensure the project is fully gender-responsive, socially inclusive, and compliant with national and FAO/GCF policies, while building durable institutional capacities for integrating GESI into climate finance governance in Lao PDR.

The assignment centers on mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across all components of the GCF Readiness project in Lao PDR. The specialist provides technical leadership, ensures policy compliance, and delivers capacity strengthening to the NDA, line ministries, and project partners.

Tasks and responsibilities

1. Gender & Social Inclusion Mainstreaming Across All Outputs

•     Conduct a comprehensive gender analysis to assess climate-related gender inequalities in Lao PDR.
•     Identify gender-specific risks, vulnerabilities, and opportunities for inclusive climate action.
•     Ensure gender and social inclusion are integrated across all project outputs, including:
o    Readiness Needs Assessment
o    Training modules
o    Updated GCF Country Programme
o    Country Platform & coordination mechanisms
o    Concept notes and funding proposal studies
•     Provide technical guidance on issues related to ethnic minorities, Indigenous Peoples, and vulnerable groups.
•     Support the collection and use of sex- and age-disaggregated data.

2. Training Curriculum Development (Output 1.1.1)

•     Develop comprehensive training modules on:
o    GCF Gender Policy & Action Plan
o    Gender mainstreaming in GCF project design and management
o    Gender-responsive safeguards (ESS)
o    Indigenous peoples’ rights & social inclusion
•     Prepare materials in both English and Lao; ensure cultural appropriateness.
•     Collaborate with the Database/Programming Specialist to produce online training modules.

3. Capacity Building & Training Delivery

•     Facilitate training workshops for NDA and ministerial focal points.
•     Coach staff on integrating gender into concept notes, proposals, monitoring frameworks, and climate finance access.
•     Lead discussions on women’s participation in climate governance and decision-making.
•     Train participants on gender-sensitive monitoring & evaluation.

4. Support to Strategic Frameworks (Outputs 2.1.1 & 2.2.1)

•     Ensure the updated GCF Country Programme incorporates robust gender analysis.
•     Provide gender-responsive inputs to the Readiness Needs Assessment.
•     Support gender-responsive stakeholder consultations with equitable participation.
•     Advise on gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

5. Support to Financial Mechanisms & Funding Proposals

•     Provide technical guidance on women’s access to climate finance, including:
o    Payment for Forest Ecosystem Services (PFES)
o    Benefit-sharing mechanisms
o    Land tenure and equity considerations
•     Contribute gender inputs into studies for the funding proposal with the Environment & Forest Fund (EFF) as Direct Access Entity.
•     Analyze gender-differentiated vulnerabilities for feasibility assessments (e.g., drought insurance).
•     Build EFF capacity on gender policy and mainstreaming in proposal development.

6. Compliance & Quality Assurance

•     Ensure full compliance with:
o    GCF Gender Policy & Action Plan
o    FAO Policy on Gender Equality
o    FAO Environmental and Social Management Framework (FESM)
o    National Law on Gender Equality (2019)
•     Verify that deliverables meet requirements for gender inclusion and documentation.
•     Ensure 50% women’s participation in consultations and training events.
•     Provide quality assurance for all gender-related content in project outputs.

7. Collaboration & Coordination

•     Work closely with national project staff, including Training, Information System, and Climate Finance specialists.
•     Coordinate with Lao Women’s Union, national gender institutions, and civil society groups.
•     Participate in PMU meetings, TWGCC, and ECF sub-TWG.
•     Engage with ethnic minority groups, women’s networks, and partners supporting gender equality.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Master's degree in Sociology, Gender Studies, Public Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field
•     Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, or related fields
•     Working knowledge of English (written and spoken)
•     Working knowledge of Lao (written and spoken)
•     National of Laos

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong understanding of gender equality principles, frameworks, and international commitments (CEDAW, SDGs, etc.)
•     Comprehensive knowledge of gender mainstreaming methodologies and tools
•     Understanding of social inclusion concepts and approaches for marginalized groups
•     Knowledge of climate change impacts on gender equality and social equity
•     Expertise in participatory methods and stakeholder engagement processes
•     Strong analytical and research skills
•     Excellent training and facilitation skills
•     Ability to develop culturally appropriate and accessible training materials
•     Fluent in Lao (written and spoken)
•     Proficient in English (written and spoken)

Selection criteria

•     Demonstrated experience in developing training curricula and facilitating capacity building programs on gender and social inclusion
•     Proven experience working on gender mainstreaming in development projects, preferably in climate change, natural resources management, or environmental sectors
•     Strong knowledge of the socio-economic and cultural context of Lao PDR
•     Experience working with government institutions, civil society organizations, and ethnic minority communities in Lao PDR
•     Track record of developing gender-responsive strategies, policies, or programs

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION