Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist, ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership Program

Job Description

Since May 2019, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has provided a grant to The Asia Foundation to implement the Strengthening the Australia-ASEAN Partnership: Regional Capacity Building and Policy Dialogues (Security Cooperation) Program in ASEAN region. In May 2020, the Security Cooperation Program was expanded into and included in the ASEAN-Australia Political Security Partnership (APSP) Program which was announced by Australian Foreign Minister at the Special ASEAN-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Covid-19 on 30 June 2020.

APSP is an AUD10 million, five-year (May 2019 to June 2024) investment. It supports security cooperation activities in four focus areas under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), notably maritime security; cyber security; women, peace and security; and transnational crime. The goal of APSP is to contribute to an improved security environment in the Indo-Pacific region by enhancing ASEAN’s ability to lead more coordinated, cohesive, and inclusive responses to transnational political and security issues. The expected end-of-project outcomes are stronger ASEAN-Australia relationships and engagement, and increasingly effective cross-sectoral ASEAN approaches to regional security cooperation. APSP is implemented by the Foundation and other Australian Government Departments (OGDs) and other stakeholders (if required) with oversight and support from DFAT.

OGDs and/or other stakeholders will strengthen ASEAN-Australia cooperation on priority political-security issues. This will expand and regularize DFAT funding for OGDs for ASEAN engagement in this area. To date, this has been relatively ad hoc, and largely connected to occasional high-level meetings, such as the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.

The Foundation is responsible for i) implementation of Asia Foundation-led ASEAN-initiated activities; ii) on-demand analytical, advisory and/or logistical support to DFAT- or OGD-led ASEAN engagements; and iii) overall investment-level monitoring and reporting, risk management, including associated support to OGDs at activity level.

The first five months (to November 2020) of APSP will be a transition phase where several important program components will be revisited and strengthened. In particular, the transition phase will provide an opportunity to:

• Further align APSP with Australia’s Covid-19 Development Response Strategy
• Clarify strategic priorities for each focus area (while retaining flexibility to respond to ASEAN demand)
• Detail expectations and processes for investment governance (especially project selection) and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), based on lessons learned by other DFAT-OGD aid investments
• Further clarify how the investment will promote GESI within its sphere of influence

To support these objectives, key outputs of the transition phase could include:

• Thematic strategies
• GESI strategy
• Background paper on lessons learned from similar investment of DFAT
• Governance protocols
• Program logic and MEL plan
• Diplomacy strategy

As part of the transition phase, the Foundation is seeking a qualified GESI specialist, ideally with experience (or knowledge of) working with ASEAN, who will lead the design of the GESI analysis and strategy for APSP. The strategy is expected to be evidence-based and therefore the design should involve a desk review and analysis of challenges and opportunities for gender equality and social inclusion taking into account both context and the issues APSP seeks to address.

The consultancy will commence in August 2020 and is expected to be concluded by December 2020. The consultancy will be home-based. The GESI specialist will report to the Foundation’s regional program manager. She/he will also work closely with the program strategy and management specialist and the program team members, all based in Bangkok, Thailand. The GESI specialist will also receive guidance and feedback from DFAT.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Undertake a desk review of available relevant literature to inform the development of an inception note
2. Develop an inception note that provides a clear and well-conceived methodology and work plan for the design of GESI analysis and strategy for APSP
3. Collect, review and analyze data on challenges and opportunities for gender equality and social inclusion in security issues and security cooperation in ASEAN. This should include conducting a robust literature review and (likely virtual) key informant interviews. Special focus should be given to four focus areas of APSP (maritime security, cyber security, WPS and transnational crimes).
4. Develop the GESI strategy for APSP that provide clear analysis of challenges and opportunities for gender equality and social inclusion; strategy and implementation inclusive of risk mitigation measures and safeguards; and monitoring and evaluation (including indicators and reporting tool). The GESI strategy should be actionable and include measurable targets, gender-sensitive indicators the project will track, and align with and integrate into annual workplans. It should also consider the ongoing gendered impact of Covid-19 and the measures that need to be taken to be responsive to the pandemic within the context of the GESI strategy.
5. As needed, mentor the Foundation’s program team and (based on interest) OGDs on the implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the GESI strategy for APSP
6. Participate in meetings relevant to the GESI strategy for APSP and present the GESI strategy as requested
7. Collaborate with the MEL Specialist and the Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (WEP) and program teams in integrating GESI strategy into MEL plan for APSP
8. Provide inputs to the development of thematic strategies for APSP led by the Foundation’s program team to ensure the mainstreaming of GESI strategy
9. Provide any other input and advice related to GESI to the Foundation and DFAT, as may be required during the transition phase of APSP.

The timeframe for the consultancy will be from August to November 2020:

• August 2020 – Desk report to inform inception note, submission of the inception note, data collection, review and analysis
• September 2020 – Development and, by end of September, submission of the draft GESI strategy for consultation
• October 2020 – Consultation and review of the draft GESI strategy (led by DFAT)
• November 2020 – Finalization of the GESI strategy
• December 2020 – Mentor the Foundation and OGDs on the GESI strategy as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in international relations, international development, human and social sciences, women, peace and security studies, gender studies or a related field. Knowledge of and work experience with ASEAN mechanisms, and/or GESI issues in the ASEAN region. A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in development programs with at least 3 years of experience focusing on GESI-related issues.
• Proven experiences in the design and development of a GESI strategy (including GESI analysis) for development programs, preferably those that are multi-country/cultural and multi-sectoral and involve government agencies as implementers.
• Proven experience in mentoring and coaching on GESI will be an advantage.
• Knowledge in APSP’s focus areas: maritime security, cyber security, WPS and transnational crime.
• Experience working with DFAT/Australian Aid program; and knowledge of DFAT policies related to GESI strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work productively, independently and remotely; responsiveness to requests; and delivery of quality outputs with tight deadlines.
• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills with ability to communicate and explain GESI analysis and strategy to audience with non-GESI background.
• Fluency in speaking, listening and writing in English.

The successful candidate will be provided with remuneration based on agreed professional fee and administrative support, as needed. The Asia Foundation will provide resources for any travel or program activities, if any.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and CV by August 14, 2020 to pitchanuch.supavanich@asiafoundation.org with the position title listed in the subject line. The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, EOE/M/F/D/V. No phone calls, please.

About the Organization

About The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region addresses five overarching goals—strengthen governance, empower women, expand economic opportunity, increase environmental resilience, and promote regional cooperation.

Headquartered in San Francisco, The Asia Foundation works through a network of offices in 18 Asian countries and in Washington, DC. Working with public and private partners, the Foundation receives funding from a diverse group of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals. In 2016, we provided $87.8 million in direct program support and distributed textbooks and other educational materials valued at $9.5 million.