Policy Reform - Short Term Adviser

Job Description

Investing in Women

Investing in Women (IW) is a multi-country Australian Government initiative in Southeast Asia that seeks to improve women’s economic participation as employees and as entrepreneurs and influence the enabling environment to promote Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE). It commenced in April 2016 with operations in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar and is due to run through to June 2023.  It is managed out of the Gender Equality Branch (GEB) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Canberra. The Program is supporting the following outcomes:

• More businesses achieve improved gender equality in their workplaces
• Intentional impact investments in women’s small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) increase
• Positive shifts in gender norms related to workplace gender equality

For more information, see www.investinginwomen.asia

About the Opportunity

IW has supported the establishment of Business Coalitions (BCs) in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar to drive Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) in the private sector. The BCs consist of large businesses committed to:

• Progressing women into leadership and management positions
• Improving female workforce participation
• Investing in family-friendly working conditions; and
• Ensuring that leaders and managers drive gender equality.

The BCs have gained recognition in their respective countries as leaders in WGE and have attracted leading businesses as members whilst offering a range of services and resources to support WGE advancement. The BCs also provide WGE assessments to inform WGE action plans and have successfully supported around 70 WGE assessments across the four countries.

Additionally, the BCs lead high-level advocacy events on gender equality and are engaging regulatory bodies and their governments in policy conversations on WGE, specifically relating to transparency and gender reporting. IW has supported each of the coalitions to develop and implement policy influencing strategies to advocate for changes that will support the advancement of WGE. Three of the four BCs are working on improving gender indicators/criteria in corporate sustainability reporting templates.

A key priority in the coming year is to support the BCs’, particularly the Vietnam Business Coalition for Women Empowerment’s (VBCWE), policy influencing agenda through strategic input into engagement with key stakeholders in Vietnam and by providing technical advice on the inclusion of robust gender criteria in relevant sustainability reporting frameworks. We are therefore seeking a suitably qualified expert adviser to join IW’s panel of WGE consultants to provide this support.

The role will provide targeted support to VBCWE’s advocacy efforts and strategic engagement with key stakeholders, such as Vietnam Business Council for Sustainable Development (VBCSD), The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HOSE) as well as other organisations working on corporate sustainability reporting (CSR) and/or advocating for WGE in Vietnam, such as UN Women, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Specifically, the adviser will support VBCWE’s ongoing work on the Corporate Sustainability Index (CSI) 2022 WGE award in collaboration with VBCSD, and work with the ACCA to establish a gender award in HOSE.

Please see more information about the opportunity here: https://bit.ly/38xSR7B

About You

IW has established an Advisory Panel of experts with relevant expertise and experience to inform and advise IW’s work on WGE. We are looking to expand the panel with a short-term adviser (STA) with specific experience on gender reporting frameworks, corporate sustainability reporting and WGE related policy reform. Prior experience working in South East Asia and the IW target countries (Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Myanmar) is preferred.

Key Selection Criteria

We are seeking an individual who has:

Substantive experience in #1, and skills in one or more of the areas in #2 to 8 listed below:

• Gender reporting frameworks and inclusion of gender criteria/indicators in sustainability reporting or relevant indices. (Candidates with relevant skills and experience in this area will be prioritised for assessment and potential interview)
• Strategic stakeholder engagement, prior experience in influencing government and/or regulatory bodies in WGE-related policy change highly desirable.
• Research, qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and reporting, preferably on WGE-related issues.
• Developing policy briefs and/or knowledge products for a range of audiences.
• Developing and delivering training modules, preferably within the private sector.
• Best practice and approaches for promoting workplace gender equality and equity in companies.
• Experience conducting workplace gender equality assessments, or data analysis to inform decision making and action by companies for progressing WGE and long term impact.
• Expertise as a public policy analyst or decision maker with expertise in gender equality.

Experience in South East Asia, particularly prior experience working in Vietnam, is preferred. Experts based in these countries are encouraged to apply. Excellent written and spoken English is required and Vietnamese is highly desirable but not essential.

How to Apply

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from experienced and capable women.

Click the above link for the complete application process and required information/documents from applicants.

Application close:  12 June 2022, Sunday AEST

This is an urgent requirement.  Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The position will close ahead of closing date, as soon we have found the right candidate who may be able to commence immediately.

About Us

Abt Associates a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtassociates.com

Equity

Abt Associates values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity and inclusion. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, skills and knowledge, so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.

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