Background Information - Job-specific
Background Information โ UNOPS
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partnersโ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Working in some of the worldโs most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partnersโ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background Information โ Job Specific
UNOPS Asia Regional Office (APRO)
The Asia Regional Office (APRO) supports UNOPS operations across a diverse and complex portfolio, around South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. This includes contexts ranging from middle-income countries to fragile, conflict-affected states. Currently APR is implementing a wide range of infrastructure, procurement and transactional projects in over 25 countries.
The Office of the Regional Director (ORD), based in Bangkok, provides strategic oversight, operational support, and quality assurance across the region. As part of this mandate, it is committed to ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and ethics, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in our projects and programmes and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in UNOPS.
The Role:
Reporting to the the Regional Management and Oversight Advisor and working closely with the APR Management Team, Country project teams, Health and Safety Social and Environment (HSSE) as well as Human Resource coordinators, the Regional Gender Equality, Social Inclusion & Protection (GESI/DEI/PSEAH) Specialist will be responsible for leading and coordinating regional efforts in:
Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in programmes and operations
Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH) in offices, projects, and communities
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in internal systems, culture and recruitment
This includes providing technical advice, quality assurance, capacity building, knowledge sharing and strategic leadership to country offices and projects throughout the region.
Functional Responsibilities1. Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) Mainstreaming in Projects
Lead implementation of UNOPS GESI strategies across the region and support target-setting and monitoring.
Provide technical support to project teams to ensure GESI is integrated in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes.
Support country teams and focal points in developing strategies and workplans with an intersectional approach and conduct quality assurance of gender action plans.
Ensure GESI is embedded in health, livelihoods, and climate-related projects.
Strengthen monitoring systems and track GESI outcomes across the region. Lead on business cases for GESI financing and support the implementation of the UN Gender Equality Marker (GEM) in all our projects for tracking and reporting.
Represent APRO in corporate GESI initiatives, global working groups, and interagency forums.
2. Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH)
Provide strategic and technical guidance on integrating PSEAH into programme design and risk management frameworks.
Support country offices in developing context-specific PSEAH action plans and community-based complaint mechanisms.
Conduct capacity building for UNOPS personnel, contractors, implementing partners, and other stakeholders affected by our projects.
Facilitate the regional PSEAH Community of Practice and support country-level focal points.
Ensure alignment with UNOPS corporate policies on PSEAH in procurement and grants
Close collaboration with Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) focal points in country and the HSSE Specialist in the regional office
Participate in inter-agency networks and represent the region in the corporate PSEAH working group.
3. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and Organizational Change
Advise senior leadership on inclusive HR policies, internal accountability, and enabling environments.
Support roll-out of DEI action plans and awareness campaigns across field offices.
Lead internal capacity-building on inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and unconscious bias.
Collaborate with HR and regional management to improve recruitment diversity and staff well-being.
Advise on disability inclusion, LGBTQI+ inclusion, anti-racism, and other focus areas.
Represent APRO in corporate DEI initiatives, global working groups, and interagency forums.
4. Team Management (if applicable)
Facilitate the engagement and provision of high-quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
Provide oversight, ensuring team members' compliance with existing policies and best practices.
5. Knowledge sharing and knowledge building
Support the development and delivery of workshops on gender-related concepts, policies, or sectoral issues to develop knowledge and ownership on GEDSI and PSEAH issues.
Facilitate and support knowledge management and exchange of best practices across the region and globally
Represent UNOPS in inter-agency gender and PSEAH networks and relevant coordination mechanisms, including the UN Gender Theme Group, Gender Equality and Womenโs Empowerment Working Group and Gender Based Violence Thematic Working Group, as well as other gender and PSEAH networks in the region and globally as applicable.
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
Minimum advanced university degree (Masterโs or equivalent) or higher degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Law, Human Rights, Social or Behavioral Sciences, or related field.
A combination of a Bachelorโs degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
Experience
Minimum five (5) years of experience in gender equality, social inclusion, human rights, PSEAH, safeguarding, or protection is required
Experience working with the Asia Pacific Region in multiple countries is preferred.
Experience designing and implementing inclusive development activities in fragile or low-income contexts is preferred.
Demonstrated experience in organizational culture transformation, either in an office, project, or programme, is preferred.
Experience in training and capacity building across different cultures is desirable.
Knowledge of survivor-centered response systems, SEAH reporting mechanisms, or complaint channels is an asset.
Experience working with a UN organization or NGO is an asset.
Experience in writing documents such as strategies, proposals, and Gender Action Plans is an asset.
Familiarity with the minimum reporting requirements for grants in the United Nations Partner Portal (UNPP) is an asset Language requirement
Contract type: International ICA Contract level: ICS 10 / IICA-2 / LICA 10 Contract duration: Ongoing with the possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Disclaimer:
If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual contractor Agreement will be issued.
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.