Regional Specialist – Gender Equality, Social Inclusion & Protection (GESI/DEI/PSEAH)

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ 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 world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ 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 – 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.

• 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

• Full working knowledge (Fluency) in English is required.

1. Contract type: International ICA
2. Contract level: ICS 10 / IICA-2 / LICA 10
3. Contract duration: Ongoing with the possibility of extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual contractor Agreement will be issued.

• 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.