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General Information

Position Title
Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Job Category
Diversity and Inclusion
Duty Station(s)
Kabul
Seniority Level
Associate
ICS Level
ICS 08
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 8
Posting Start Date
21-Jun-2026
Posting End Date
30-Jun-2026
Duration
Ongoing contract subject to the project timeline, budget availability and individual's performance

Job Highlight

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to humanitarian and development efforts in Afghanistan by ensuring gender equality and social inclusion are at the forefront of a large-scale community resilience program. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in empowering women and vulnerable groups, mitigating risks, and driving principled project implementation, directly impacting millions of lives in a challenging yet rewarding environment.

About the Region

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

About the Project Office

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

Job Specific Context

Under the direct supervision of the Head of PIU, the Diversity and Inclusion Officer (Gender) supports the Project in a) ensuring the project design and implementation follows a ‘principled’ approach that includes women as service providers and beneficiaries of the project, including working with the FPs and contractor(s) to ensure community women are meaningfully engaged per the project design; b) supporting the implementation of project components on any relevant gender and social inclusion aspects and risk mitigation; c) working with the PIU and TPMA to regularly monitor the ECA and other gender and inclusion indicators per the Operations Manual; d) developing the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation/Sexual Harrassment (PSEA/SH) Action Plan and supervision to ensure the plan is implemented in accordance with the agreed timeline. He/She provides support on training and awareness, data analytics and monitoring of gender-related policies. The Diversity and Inclusion Officer (Gender) will be required to travel across all project sites considering the low profile missions.

Role Purpose

The Diversity and Inclusion Officer (Gender) supports the Project in ensuring that project design and implementation adhere to a principled approach, actively engaging women as service providers and beneficiaries. This role focuses on integrating gender equality and social inclusion, mitigating risks, monitoring relevant indicators, and developing and overseeing the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation/Sexual Harassment (PSEA/SH) Action Plan, thereby enhancing the project's impact and sustainability for all beneficiaries.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming

  • Support the project in the implementation of Gender and Diversity focused guidelines specific to the project and its stakeholders, based on the project’s legal framework, project development objectives and Results Framework indicators, its Operations and Training Manuals.

  • Support all Project components in all aspects of gender equality and social inclusion. - Ensure FPs hire and retain adequate numbers of female staff and that FPs follow the UNCT Mahram policy that accounts for additional costs of women working (transport, Mahram costs, etc.). 

  • Support the Project in the promotion, incentivizing and evaluation of the inclusion and participation of women in the communities in project activities, as beneficiaries and workers. 

  • Ensure that FPs regularly consult with female staff and with community women to understand if they feel safe participating in the project activities and work with the FPs to develop strategies that help minimize any risks to women workers and beneficiaries.


2. Monitoring, Reporting, and Risk Mitigation

  • Support the process of assessing community compliance with the ECA, and of monitoring and reporting on continued adherence. 

  • Verify FP and TPMA reports of women’s participation with spot checks in the field. 

  • Support the project to collect, compile, analyze and report on the gender-disaggregated data on the inclusion of women, physically or mentally challenged persons, IDP/returnee, very elderly and other most vulnerable groups in the project beneficiary selection and project benefits. 

  • Input to FP and TPMA monitoring protocols and guidelines to ensure that gender and inclusion data is collected and that indicators are appropriately monitored. 

  • Closely monitor and inform the Management on policies/procedures/guidelines/laws issued by the de-facto authorities at central and field levels that could impact on the participation of women and other marginalized groups in project activities. 

  • Advise the design of the project GRM, including in-person, accessible complaint uptake channels for women and girls. 

  • Ensure appropriate protocols and mechanisms are in-place for addressing SEA/SH grievances and serve as a permanent member of the grievance redressal committee related to gender-based violence or sexual harassment. 

  • Assist the project in the implementation and compliance with the Project’s SEA/SH Action Plan, in accordance with the agreed timeline and budget.


3. Capacity Building and Advisory Support

  • Ensure that the overall training materials of the project are gender-sensitive and contextualized for project coverage areas.

  • Support the project in gender-focused training for the Project Team, FPs and Contractors. 

  • Provide transactional support in training management and all project personnel, FPs, Contractors key personnel in the project’s gender and diversity norms. 

  • Ensure all project workers have been sensitized to and have signed a code of conduct that prohibits SEA/SH and that communities know how and where to report SEA/SH grievances.

  • Perform other related duties as required by the Head of PIU.

Skills

Communication, Data Analysis, Diversity & Inclusion, Policy Analysis, Training
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent: 2 years of relevant experience 


Desired

  • Specific gender-focused training by the UN, World Bank or international non-governmental (INGOs) organizations. 

  • Training in PSEA and demonstration of understanding of the basic tenants of the PSEA framework.


Experience Requirements

Required

  • A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in gender, women’s empowerment and/or diversity management. 


Desired

  • Experience working with the World Bank, UN agencies or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).


Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
  • UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
  • We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
  • UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
 
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. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click 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.