GENDER SPECIALIST FOR TRAINING ON DRAFTING BRIEFING NOTES WITH A GENDER DIMENSION in Southend-on-Sea

The Parliamentary Centre of Asia (PCAsia) is seeking a Gender Specialist for Training on Drafting Briefing Notes with a Gender Dimension. PCAsia is an independent, non-partisan institute dedicated to supporting ASEAN parliaments through tailored capacity development, dialogue platforms, and evidence-based research. PCAsia promotes good parliamentary practice and regional cooperation on shared challenges such as climate change, gender equality, and inclusive economic growth.

This consultancy falls under the “Strengthening Parliamentary Foundations” project implemented with support from CEGGA. The project addresses the high turnover of MPs in the Lao National Assembly and the resulting need for structured induction, support tools, and gender-responsive research processes. Parliamentary staff—especially from the Institute of Legislative Studies (ILS) and Provincial People’s Assemblies (PPAs)—play an essential role in preparing briefing notes and research for MPs but currently face capacity gaps in integrating clear, relevant, and practical gender perspectives into their analyses.

Activity 3.1 – Training for Parliamentary Staff on Drafting Briefing Notes with a Gender Dimension aims to build these skills so that staff can provide MPs with concise, gender-sensitive analysis that strengthens debates, oversight, and constituency representation. The Gender Specialist will ensure that this activity is technically sound, practical, and adapted to the roles of parliamentary participants.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Capacity Development Director, the Gender Specialist will design and deliver the gender component of Activity 3.1. This includes developing training content, practical exercises, and applied tools to help parliamentary staff identify, analyse, and communicate gender dimensions within policy topics relevant to parliamentary work. The Gender Specialist will work in close coordination with the other trainer responsible for Briefing Note Fundamentals.

Main Tasks And Responsibilities / Scope Of Work

• Training Design and Preparation (online) (January)
  • Develop a training plan for a 3-day training during Week 2 of Activity 3.1 focusing on integrating gender perspectives into 2-3 page briefing notes.
  • Adapt gender analysis methods to the Lao parliamentary context, including examples relevant to committees, constituency issues, and local governance.
  • Prepare training materials, sample briefing note sections, and templates for gender-responsive analysis.
  • Coordinate remotely with PCAsia to ensure alignment with the overall training.
• Training Delivery – "Integrating Gender Perspectives" (in person in Laos - 3 days) (February)
  • In Vientiane, deliver interactive sessions on key gender concepts for parliamentary analysis.
  • Identifying gender-differentiated impacts in policy proposals.
  • Using sex-disaggregated data and qualitative evidence.
  • Presenting gender considerations concisely for MPs' decision-making.
  • Facilitate practical exercises where staff analyse real parliamentary topics and integrate gender components into briefing note sections.
• Technical Guidance and Quality Assurance (online - 3 days) (June)
  • Provide light coaching and peer-review feedback to participants during their briefing note assignments.
  • Provide expert advice to ensure gender perspectives are accurately and consistently integrated into participants' draft briefing notes.
  • Offer targeted guidance to both ILS and PPA participants.

Deliverables

• Training Plan & Materials - slides, exercises, guidance note, templates (submitted 1 week before training).
• 3-day Gender Integration Module delivered in Vientiane.
• 3 days of coaching support for participants' briefing notes (June 2026).
• Submit a concise Activity Report (1.5-2 pages).

Required Qualifications, Skills, And Experience

• Advanced degree in gender studies, public policy, social sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in gender analysis, gender-responsive policy development, or parliamentary/government advisory roles.
• Demonstrated experience training on gender integration.
• Strong practical understanding of gender-responsive governance, Southeast Asian contexts, and local administrative systems.
• Excellent facilitation skills and ability to simplify technical concepts for non-specialist audiences.
• Strong Laos writing and communication skills.
• Strong English writing and communication skills.
• Proven ability to produce clear, practical training materials within tight timelines.