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Job Summary
The Gender Section is based in the Office of the Secretary-General. The objective of the Gender Section is to support member states and the Secretariat to advance international, regional and national commitments and protocols on gender equality, including the implementation of the Commonwealth’s Strategic and Delivery Plan.

Task Description
Under the direction of the Head of Gender Section:
• Provide policy advice on gender aspects in the thematic areas of social, economic and sustainable development to the Secretariat and to member countries;
• Within a results-based management framework, design capacity-building programmes and projects, mobilise resources and execute efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Plan and deliver advocacy strategies and support to National Women’s Machineries and ministries to raise awareness of gender concerns in the above thematic areas;
• Identify and advance opportunities to develop external partnerships through which the Commonwealth’s values and principles, and the Secretariat’s work on gender equality can be advanced. This includes with representatives of governments at officials’ level, civil society, academia and the private sector;
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant divisions within the Secretariat to support cross-disciplinary collaboration, a more consistent and coherent gender focus, and enhanced delivery of gender outcomes within policies, programmes and operations delivered internally and externally;
• Monitor developments across the Commonwealth in the above thematic areas, develop consolidated reports, and provide analysis on trends and implications for the Commonwealth and the Secretariat;
• Draft and provide other inputs as required to reports, briefs, papers, speeches, minutes and other documentation to guide strategic planning and implementation of Commonwealth gender commitments and targets;
• Provide technical assistance to Secretariat colleagues and to member governments on gender aspects of sustainable social and economic development;
• Provide policy advice, background documentation, and practical support as required in the convening and delivery of Commonwealth meetings convened by the Secretariat to advance gender equality and priorities in the Strategic Plan;
• Undertake other duties as required.

Person Specification:
• A graduate or post-graduate qualification in economics, development studies, gender/women’s studies, the humanities, social sciences or a related field. 
• At least eight years proven track record in the area of gender and socio-economic policy formulation and implementation, programme design and delivery reflecting substantive knowledge in one or more of the following areas: women’s economic empowerment, governance and leadership, elimination of gender- 3 based violence, sustainable development, and/or gender mainstreaming; 
• A sound knowledge of relevant gender systems, tools, strategies, emerging international trends on gender, and multi-disciplinary team approaches; 
• A sound understanding of gender equality as an enabler and accelerator for sustainable development; 
• A proven commitment to gender equality, women’s advancement, and promoting transformative change pertaining to women’s rights; and, •
 Demonstrable team spirit and proven capacity to network and build effective partnerships and work collaboratively on programmes/projects activities to meet set goals and targets.