POSITION TITLE: Gender-Safeguards Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Programmes
DURATION OF CONTRACT: One year (renewable)
DUTY STATION: ACB Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
REPORTING TO: ASEAN ENMAPS Project Manager

TERMS OF REFERENCE

A. BACKGROUND

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is an intergovernmental regional centre of excellence established through an agreement among the Governments of the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2005. The ACB facilitates cooperation and coordination among the members of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organisations, on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such biodiversity in the ASEAN region. Since its establishment, the ACB has lived up to its mandate of strengthening national and regional capacity for biodiversity conservation.

The ACB is the Implementing Partner of the GEF project, Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS), which is designed to address the coastal and marine ecosystem challenges in the ASEAN region through enhanced collaborative management of marine protected areas (MPAs) and other integrated coastal management and ecosystem-based fisheries management approaches. The objective of the project is to develop and improve the management of networks of MPAs and marine corridors within selected Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) in the ASEAN for the conservation of globally significant biodiversity and support for sustainable fisheries, and other ecosystem goods and services. This regional project will have a strong upscaling focus, including engagement with ASEAN working groups and LME governance mechanisms, as well as leveraging complementary investments across the ASEAN region. The ASEAN ENMAPS will be implemented for five (5) years, beginning in March 2024, in selected marine protected areas and marine corridors with high conservation importance across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

The ACB is seeking dynamic, innovative and committed candidates for the position of Gender-Safeguards Specialist. The Gender-Safeguards Specialist will ensure the conduct of safeguards assessments and the implementation of safeguard management plans and frameworks in accordance with UNDP SES, as well as relevant governmental policies, procedures, and regulations to optimise the outcomes of the project in terms of equity among social groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples and other vulnerable groups.

B. SCOPE OF DUTIES

The Programmes Department is the primary oversight of the ASEAN ENMAPS project with the technical and management support of the Project Management Unit (PMU). The Gender-Safeguards Specialist will be working under the PMU, directly reporting to the ASEAN ENMAPS Project Manager, and will be closely coordinating with the Gender Focal Point of the ACB and the relevant divisions in the Programmes Department.

The Gender-Safeguard Specialist shall perform the following specific roles to ensure that the project objectives are efficiently achieved:

1. Provide technical assistance for the conduct of safeguards assessments and implementation of safeguards plans and management frameworks;
2. Support the establishment and oversee the operationalisation of the project Grievance Redress Mechanism, in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the ESMF and UNDP SES, ensuring social and environmental grievances are managed effectively and transparently;
3. Oversee the implementation and monitoring of the progress of implementing project safeguards plans, including the SESP, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Gender Action Plan, ESMP, IPPs, COVID-19 action framework, Climate and Disaster Risk Screening and other safeguards management frameworks and plans as warranted, to ensure that UNDPs SES are fully met, and the reporting requirements are fulfilled;
4. In coordination with the National Technical Specialists, Project Associates and locally contracted safeguards consultants, assist and guide in the development of Indigenous Peoples Plans and other site-specific plans as required, in accordance with SESA and ESIA findings;
5. Oversee implementation of gender-related work, including training, in accordance with the gender analysis and action plan, including the annual review of the plan, reporting on the progress towards achievement of the gender mainstreaming indicators and targets, address the gender issues of the project in accordance with the gender analysis and action plan;
6. Provide gender and safeguard training, monitoring, and outreach with local partners in the intervention areas, including coordinating FPIC processes, as needed;
7. Perform other related tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor(s) from time to time.

C. QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Work Experience

• Master’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, gender and development, women and environment, sociology or any other related fields and 5 years of related work experiences, or its equivalency requirements:
  • Completed Academic Requirements in Master’s program in social sciences, gender studies, gender and development, women and environment, sociology or any other related course and 7 years of related work experiences; or
  • 18 units earned in Master’s program in social sciences, gender studies, gender and development, women and environment, sociology or any other related course and 9 years of related work experiences; or
  • Related bachelor’s degree in social sciences, gender studies, gender and development, women and environment, sociology or any other related course and 12 years of related work experiences, or
  • Non-Related Bachelor’s Degree and 15 years related work experience.
    Minimum 5 years of demonstrable experience in the technical area of gender mainstreaming, community development, and social and environmental safeguards risk assessment and mitigation
• Minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in a regional/ international organisation preferably in the ASEAN
• Knowledge and experience on Marine Protected Areas and biodiversity conservation is an advantage

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of the English language and with exceptional writing presentation and communication skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Adept at working with international partners
• Able to use computer applications, in particular, MS Office
• Adept at working within a multicultural working environment
• Ability to work independently and to manage effectively different tasks

Nationality

• Must be a national of any of the ASEAN Member States.

D. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

Core Values

• Integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity
• Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly
• Prudence, dependability, and accountability

Core Competencies

• Communication, teamwork, planning, and organising, accountability, commitment to continuous learning, and technological awareness

E. APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants should prepare the following and send all to [email protected]:

1. A letter of intent of no more than two pages, elaborating how his/her qualifications and experiences make him/her suitable for the position. Address the letter to Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim. JP 2024-13 Gender-Safeguards Specialist should be indicated in the aforesaid letter.
2. Updated curriculum vitae, and diploma, or transcript of records
3. A completed Job Application Form (which can be downloaded here)

(**if the link does not download automatically, please RIGHT-CLICK on the link and select OPEN LINK IN NEW TAB or SAVE LINK AS)

Deadline for submission of completed applications is on 10 April 2024. Only applications with complete documentary requirements (Letter of Intent, completed Job Application Form, and curriculum vitae) will be processed. Applications received beyond this date will not be considered. All applicants will be given notice as to the status of their application. Previous applicants may apply again.

F. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The ACB does not ask for payment at any stage of its recruitment process (application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee) nor authorises anyone to officially receive applications from prospective candidates, except through the ACB Human Resources Division. The public is strongly advised to be vigilant when dealing with financial transactions online and to report any suspicious individuals or accounts representing the ACB.

This job posting is intended for active pooling of candidates who will become part of the ACB’s talent pool. Applicant’s qualifications will be assessed against both current and future job openings of the ACB. The ACB Human Resources Division will reach out to the applicants whose knowledge, skills, and work experience are aligned with the ACB’s requirements.