Title: Gender and Social Inclusion Expert
Requisition ID: 8213
Grade: ISA-NOD
Country: Philippines
Duty Station: Manila
Category: National Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 105 working days over a period
Application deadline: 03-Dec-2026, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)
Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
UNIDO is fully committed to achieving and maintaining workforce gender parity and to fostering an open, accessible, inclusive and respectful workplace that values diversity, equal opportunity and a healthy work-life balance. UNIDO, therefore, welcomes and encourages applications from qualified candidates of underrepresented genders, candidates from less-represented regions or nationalities, and candidates with disabilities, for whom reasonable accommodation will be provided in accordance with applicable policies.
PROJECT CONTEXT
This position is funded under the “European Union Support for Resilient Mindanao” (EU4Mindanao) Action, which is part of the European Union’s long-term support to building lasting peace and promoting inclusive development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Mindanao as a whole.
With the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as the Overall Government Partner, EU4Mindanao is jointly implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), as lead agency and Administrative Agent, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The Action focuses on localizing a quadruple humanitarian, peace, climate and development (HPCD) approach in communities that face multi-faceted and interlocking vulnerabilities. These communities are composed of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and those at risk of displacement, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women and girls, and youth in Mindanao, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and in the BARMM. Despite recent efforts to address persistent challenges in GIDAs and to advance the Bangsamoro peace process, these groups have not fully benefited from the resulting peace dividend due to persistent conflict, exposure to multiple hazards, longstanding discrimination, shortcomings in legal frameworks, and other sources of instability.
The impact (overall objective) of the EU4Mindanao Action is to foster an enabling environment for sustainable peace and development in Mindanao. Two Specific Objectives/Outcomes have been formulated:
- Outcome 1: Local communities' resiliency is increased.
- Outcome 2: Local value chains and value addition, fair production and economic opportunities for target communities are strengthened.
While both Outcomes aim to increase local productive capacities, they will respectively focus on agriculture (Outcome 1, FAO) and processing/agro-industry (Outcome 2, UNIDO). To operationalize the HPCD nexus, the human security approach and conflict-sensitive programming will be applied across both Outcomes, ensuring programmatic coherence and cost-effectiveness that maximize lasting impact. The Action is aligned with the 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the EU Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the Philippines (2021-2027), and the Mindanao Agenda 2023-2028 of MinDA.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty and hunger reduction, inclusive and fair globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013, the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019 as well as the Riyadh Declaration adopted at the twenty-first session of UNIDO General Conference in 2025, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. The relevance of this mission as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of inclusive and sustainable industrial development, however, applies to all SDGs.
The medium-term programme framework (MTPF) 2026 - 2029 is UNIDO’s core strategic document and it is in line with UNIDO’s Vision 2050. It sets a renewed vision to support Member States and shape their industries for development. The priorities include fair and sustainable global and regional supply chains, ending hunger through innovation and local value addition, renewable and clean energy, sustainable energy access and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities focus on industrial and economic policy advice, skills development, fostering digitalization and artificial intelligence, gender equality and the empowerment of women, supporting youth, promoting cleaner production and circular economy, and leveraging private sector investment and development finance.
Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards-related activities; and (iv) convening and fostering partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer, investment mobilization, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Sub-regional Offices and Country Offices.
DIRECTORATE OF SDG INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION (IET)
The Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate-relevant or climate-improving technologies.
It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative technical cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.
The Directorate houses the Divisions of Coordination and Integration Support (IET/CIS), Quality, Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA), Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), and Climate and Technology Partnerships (CTP). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions and relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS).
Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST)
Under the overall guidance of the Director General, the direct supervision of the Managing Director, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), and in close coordination with other organizational entities within UNIDO, the Division of Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST) develops and implements an innovative service package in response to UNIDO's mandate for fair and responsible local industrial production and trade with a particular focus on building the required skills and capacities and foster a conducive business operating environment to ensure that such production and trade are as inclusive as possible, promoting – among others – the development of human capital through vocational training and industrial skills development.
In collaboration with IET/IFI, IET/PPP, TCS/SME, TCS/CPA, and GLO/MSR, the Division will conceptualize and negotiate such services and raise funds from Member States, development partners, IFIs, and the private sector to coordinate their effective implementation and devise ways in which their implementation can be brought to scale.
This will include cross-cutting and sector-specific initiatives for sustainable supply/value chain and skills development in industrial sectors where UNIDO has, over the years, accumulated expertise, such as agro-industries, fisheries, textiles, leather, light manufacturing, health, mining, automotive and pharma and others. It will do so through close engagement with Member States, private sector associations, industrial enterprises, international quality, standards and trade-related governing bodies, other UN Agencies (e.g. ILO), development partners, NGOs and consumer associations, as appropriate, ensuring solid and operational partnerships.
Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit (IET/PST/SEF)
The Skills Development, Entrepreneurship and Fair Production Unit supports Member States in integrating into the emerging global systems of fair and sustainable trade and supply chains. It aims 62 to increase employability, strengthen access to decent employment, augment job retention, and increase access to qualified workforce by the industry, through modern technical and vocational education and training (TVET), professional education and entrepreneurship systems essential for driving sustainable transition. Central to its mandate is the commitment to provide the skills required to enabling sustainable supply chain practices, ensuring resilience, particularly at the firm level, and addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from new due diligence regulations. To this end, it provides specialized and country-tailored assistance to Member States to skill, upskill, and/or reskill their labour force and enhance their entrepreneurship capacity, it implements demand driven educational approaches, leverages partnerships with the private sector and strengthens institutional and firm-level capacities that fortify sustainable supply chains, with emphasis on the most vulnerable. It places importance on mitigating unintended consequences stemming from due diligence regulations, ensuring that all actors, especially at firm-level, are equipped to navigate through these changes. The Unit promotes innovation in learning, concepts and norms to augment the quality, relevance, attractiveness and accessibility of TVET for sustainable industrial employment and self-employment for the most vulnerable. The Unit also deploys foresight and planning instruments to guide Member States in developing industrial skills of future employees and respond to re-skilling and up-skilling requirements tailored for sustainable supply chains.
ABOUT THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and in close coordination with the Project Manager, the project management team responsible for the implementation of Outcomes 1 and 2 as well as EU4Mindanao technical, environment and M&E, and relevant national and BARMM counterparts, the Gender and Inclusion Expert will ensure the systematic integration of gender equality, social inclusion, and human rights principles across all phases of the Action, including planning, design, and execution of activities.
The Expert will lead the development and the implementation of the Action's Social Inclusion and Gender Action Plan. The Expert will provide guidance and inputs to gender and social inclusion analyses (including those embedded in the ESMP and the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)), guide the application of inclusive and conflict-sensitive approaches, ensure alignment with Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and "do no harm" principles, and support the development of tailored strategies to engage and ensure the meaningful participation of LNOB groups in the Action.
The Expert will also provide technical advice to EU4Mindanao Outcomes 1 and 2, develop capacity-building tools, and coordinate monitoring and reporting on gender- and social-inclusion-related results.
Specifically, the Gender and Inclusion Expert will:
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MAIN DUTIES
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Concrete/ measurable Outputs to be achieved |
Expected duration |
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Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis and Action Planning Lead, during the inception phase, the design and conduct of an integrated gender analysis and social inclusion assessment covering all five selected LNOB groups (IPs, IDPs and those at risk of displacement, PWDs, women, and youth), informed by community profiling and participatory consultations in target locations across Mindanao, GIDAs, and BARMM. Develop the Social Inclusion and Gender Action Plan, with specific commitments, indicators (sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated, timelines, baselines, targets, and assigned responsibilities. Support implementation, periodic review and updating of the Social Inclusion and Gender Action Plan throughout the project lifecycle. Apply an intersectional approach in line with EU GAP III and the LNOB principle, paying particular attention to intersecting dimensions of discrimination affecting, for instance, indigenous women, women with disabilities, displaced women, and Muslim women in BARMM. Set up an updating system and update the Action Plan periodically based on monitoring findings, field observations, and emerging risks, in coordination with the M&E Specialist and the Lead ESMP Expert. |
Inception methodology note (sampling, instruments, consent protocols) approved by the CTA and Project Manager within month 2 of contracting
Final Integrated Gender Analysis and Social Inclusion Assessment Report covering all five LNOB groups, validated through community consultations in target locations and approved by Project Manager and UNIDO's Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Division for review, delivered no later than month 5 of contracting
Social Inclusion and Gender Action Plan, with intersectional indicators, sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated baselines and targets, timelines, and assigned responsibilities, integrated into the inception report
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for periodic update of the Action Plan established Action Plan update notes delivered at least every six months thereafter, reflecting field findings, grievance data, and risk updates. |
42 working days |
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Mainstreaming Gender and Social Inclusion across Outcomes 1 and 2 Provide technical advice to UNIDO and FAO technical specialists to mainstream and oversee gender equality and social inclusion across all field-based activities. Under Outcome 1, support the design of inclusive farm learning hubs, climate-smart agriculture training, post-harvest processing, and sustainable agribusiness support services to ensure equitable access for LNOB groups. Under Outcome 2, support the design of inclusive value chain interventions and tailored support to women- and youth-led businesses and cooperatives, addressing structural barriers such as land tenure, access to financial services, and decision-making spaces, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Provide inputs to the design of activities promoting inclusive governance and multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms in which gender equality, human rights, and the participation of LNOB groups are explicitly addressed. Advise on the integration of age, gender and diversity considerations and the "do no harm" principle across all project outputs. |
Gender and social inclusion checklist or screening tool applied to activity designs under Outcomes 1 and 2, with documented reviews of at least the activity work plans, training curricula, beneficiary selection criteria, and grant guidelines
Written technical advisory notes provided on at least the inclusive design of farm learning hubs (Outcome 1) and the inclusive design of value chain interventions and support to women- and youth-led businesses (Outcome 2).
At least one technical note on structural barriers (land tenure, financial services, decision-making spaces) with recommended mitigation measures.
Inputs to the design and ToRs of multi-stakeholder dialogue platforms documented. "Do no harm" and age, gender and diversity guidance integrated into project activity templates and standard operating procedures. |
32 working days |
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Safeguards, FPIC, and Grievance Mechanism Provide gender- and inclusion-related inputs to the ESMP and ESMF, in close coordination with the Lead ESMP Expert and the FAO Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist, and ensure that environmental and social safeguards are applied in line with the UNIDO Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies and Procedures (ESSPP). Support the application of FPIC processes with Indigenous Peoples in target locations, in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (Republic Act No. 8371) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Administrative Order No. 03, Series of 2012 (Revised Guidelines on the Exercise of FPIC), applicable local guidelines (e.g. Ministry of Indigenous Peoples in BARMM) and in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The incumbent shall comply with all applicable UN/UNIDO policies and standards relating to Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), sexual harassment, and safeguarding. The incumbent shall complete a UN/UNIDO recognized PSEA training requirements and immediately report any concerns or allegations in accordance with established UNIDO procedures. The incumbent shall ensure that project activities are implemented in a manner that minimizes safeguarding risks and promotes a safe, inclusive, and accountable environment for all project participants. Contribute to the co-design of the Action's grievance mechanism ensuring gender-sensitive, IP-sensitive, and disability-inclusive adaptations, including separate reporting channels for women, culturally appropriate and accessible reporting mechanisms for IPs, and accessibility features for PWDs. |
Gender and social inclusion inputs to the ESMP and ESMF delivered, documented through written contributions and incorporated into the consolidated safeguards architecture for Outcomes 1 and 2.
FPIC workplan including an engagement plan and supporting tools (community-level information materials, consent protocols, documentation templates) developed, reviewed against legal requirements, and applied in target locations.
FPIC outcomes documented (records of consultations, consent or non-consent decisions).
PSEA training completed and project activities are implemented in a manner that minimizes safeguarding risks and promotes a safe, inclusive, and accountable environment for all project participants.
Grievance mechanism design document, including gender-sensitive and PWD-accessible reporting channels, validated and included in M&E system. |
15 working days |
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Capacity-Building, Knowledge Management, and Communication Design and deliver capacity-building tools, induction modules, and refresher trainings for project team and government counterparts, and implementing partners on gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, conflict sensitivity, "do no harm", FPIC, and the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) in collaboration with the project team and subcontracted entities. Require and verify that all project staff complete basic gender sensitisation training, such as the UN Women "I Know Gender" courses, in line with the Action's commitments. Ensure that project organized events are in compliance with UNIDO's policy on panel parity (Administrative Instruction AI/2020/03) in trainings, workshops, and events organised under the Action including through the support to the identification and engagement of qualified women speakers and experts. Advise the project team and MinDA teams on inclusive language, balanced representation of women and men, accessibility, and the avoidance of gender stereotypes in all communication and outreach products, and on the production of materials in local languages and dialects as required. Contribute to the Action's learning and knowledge management function by documenting lessons learned, good practices and success stories related to social inclusion and gender mainstreaming and providing data and case material to the M&E Specialist.
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Capacity-building strategy and training plan endorsed by the Project Manager, CTA and Project Coordinator within month 4 of contracting.
Induction module on gender, social inclusion, "do no harm", FPIC, and HRBA delivered to project staffwithin their first three months of engagement.
At least two refresher trainings per year for project team members, government counterparts (including MinDA, NCIP, NCDA, PCW, and BARMM ministries), and implementing partners delivered.
Documented completion of the UN Women "I Know Gender" course (or equivalent) by all personnel. Panel parity (AI/2020/03) compliance tracked across all trainings and events; compliance summary submitted to the CTA and Project Coordinator for inception report and Annual Progress Report.
Inclusive communication checklist applied to communication and outreach products of UNIDO, FAO, and MinDA, and confirmation of materials produced in relevant local languages and dialects. |
11 working days |
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Monitoring, Reporting, and Coordination Work with the M&E Specialist and the M&E Expert to integrate gender- and diversity-sensitive indicators into the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework, capturing both output-level inclusion (e.g., proportion of LNOB group members trained or employed) and outcome-level empowerment (e.g., decision-making roles in cooperatives or councils). Oversee the collection, analysis, and use of sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated data on LNOB groups across the Action, identifying patterns of exclusion or gaps in participation and informing evidence-based adjustments to activities. Monitor progress towards women's participation targets and recommend corrective outreach measures where participation falls below agreed targets. Draft the section on social inclusion and gender mainstreaming for reports, including the inception report. Coordinate with UNIDO, FAO, OHCHR, UNHCR and subcontracted entities on age, gender and diversity approaches and alignment with the Fourth Philippine Human Rights Plan (2024-2028) and recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review and treaty bodies including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In collaboration with the Project Coordinator, liaise with UNIDO's Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Division on technical matters as required. Ensure compliance with European Union visibility requirements and proper implementation of the project’s communication and visibility activities across teams and actions, including in line with the European Commission’s “Use of the EU emblem in the context of EU programmes 2021–2027” and “Communicating and raising EU visibility – Guidance for external actions” (July 2022). Perform other ad-hoc duties as required by the project. |
Gender- and diversity-sensitive indicators integrated into the M&E system as part of the inception report.
Review notes on sex-, age- and disability-disaggregated data on LNOB groups, including identified exclusion patterns and recommended adjustments to activities every six months atfer the conclusion of the inception phase.
Dedicated section on social inclusion and gender mainstreaming drafted and approved for reports.
Documented coordination outputs with UNIDO, FAO, and subcontracted entities on age, gender and diversity approaches.
Donor visibility ensured in a uniform manner across produced products.
As required by PM/AH |
5 working days |
MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Education: Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in gender studies, social sciences, development studies, human rights, anthropology, sociology, public policy, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first level university degree or an advanced technical college diploma may be acceptable provided it is combined with additional 7 years of professional hand-on experience that is directly relevant to the expertise required by the specific assignment.
Technical and Functional Experience:
- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender mainstreaming, social inclusion, and human rights, with at least three (3) years in development cooperation, humanitarian, or peacebuilding contexts is required.
- Demonstrated experience in conducting gender analyses, designing gender and social inclusion action plans, and applying intersectional approaches addressing women, IPs, IDPs, PWDs, and youth is required.
- Proven experience working with FPIC processes, the Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act, and Indigenous Peoples' rights frameworks in the Philippines or comparable jurisdictions is required.
- Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training and capacity-building activities on gender, inclusion, HRBA, and "do no harm" is required.
- Familiarity with the UNIDO Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies and Procedures (ESSPP) or comparable safeguards frameworks of UN agencies or international financial institutions is required.
- Experience in engaging with national and sub-national institutions in the Philippines, including the Philippine Commission on Women, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the National Council on Disability Affairs, and BARMM ministries and commissions, is desirable.
- Experience in conflict-affected settings is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming gender and social inclusion into agriculture, agribusiness, value chains, and/or rural enterprise development is desirable.
- Previous experience in Mindanao, GIDAs, and/or BARMM is desirable.
Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
CORE VALUES, BEHAVIORS AND FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE
Core Values
EXCELLENCE – Deliver high-quality results; continuously improve performance.
INTEGRITY – Uphold ethical standards; act transparently and responsibly.
INCLUSION – Promote respect, diversity, and fairness.
HUMILITY – Show self-awareness; value others’ contributions.
HUMANITY – Act with compassion; align work with sustainable development.
Core Behaviors
CONNECT & COLLABORATE – Build trust through effective communication and teamwork; share knowledge and embrace diversity.
ANALYSE & PLAN – Use data and evidence to inform decision-making; plan proactively and prioritize effectively.
DELIVER RESULTS WITH POSITIVE IMPACT – Take ownership and deliver high-quality outputs; align work with UNIDO’s mission and objectives.
LEARN AND DEVELOP – Continuously develop skills and capabilities; seek feedback and share knowledge with others.
ADAPT AND INNOVATE – Respond flexibly to change; embrace innovation and new approaches
This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.
Integrity, Respect and Inclusion
UNIDO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, diversity, inclusion and mutual respect. Employees of UNIDO are required at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. UNIDO prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, and discrimination.
Through people-centred policies, UNIDO supports its personnel in balancing professional and personal responsibilities through flexible working arrangements while maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations worldwide.
All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.
Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org
NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.
Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org