Job advertisement:
Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics (GIESC)
Programme Manager
Deadline for applications: 25 October 2021 (1 PM, Central European Time)
The image shows a knotted piece of cloth in rainbow colours.
The image reads: "We are hiring! GIESC (Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics) Programme Manager.
Deadline for applications: Monday 25 October 2021 1pm CET". The ILGA World logo sits at the bottom left of the image.
ILGA World seeks a Manager for its current Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics (GIESC) Programme.
The GIESC programme roots in the assessment that violence, discrimination and prejudice of persons of diverse SOGIESC has a common cause: the cis-endosex-heteronormative social model in which gender and sex are perceived as binary, mutually exclusive and a consequence of a person’s body.
Anyone with dedication to - and experience in regard to - the human and social rights of persons with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics, who meets the requirements set out below, is welcome to apply.
The position
ILGA World seeks a Manager for its current Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Programme. The GIESC programme roots in the assessment that violence, discrimination and prejudice of persons of diverse SOGIESC has a common cause: the cis-endosex-heteronormative social model in which gender and sex are perceived as binary, mutually exclusive and a consequence of a person’s body.
The aims of the programme are to
- Advocate for meaningful inclusion of GIESC issues in UN processes, international human rights norms and other global fora and decision makers
- Raise visibility, awareness and allyship within the ILGA family and the wider LGBTI movement on issues pertaining to gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
- Work towards the true depathologisation of trans and intersex persons at all levels
- Support ILGA World’s research to holistically cover GIESC issues in the organisation’s research portfolio, ensuring trans and intersex communities help conceptualise and deliver such research
- Empower trans and intersex communities, organisations and people in all their diversities to advocate for their rights with a particular focus on international mechanisms
- Support community organising, led by trans and intersex people globally
- Raise visibility and awareness on (SO)GIESC issues within the feminist movement(s)
- Provide a feminist and queer analysis on how gender backlash affects (SO)GIESC rights and can be countered
The role of the GIESC Programme Manager is to conceptualise, lead and oversee the work of the organisation in regard to GIESC issues, to supervise the GIESC programme staff and to strategically develop ILGA World’s programmatic work when it comes to GIESC issues in collaboration with the Director of Programmes. This includes to develop a concept on how to integrate ILGA’s work on women's issues and feminism in the scope of the programme. The role requires working closely with the UN Programme and ILGA World’s research and communications teams, our Trans, Intersex and Women’s committees, as well as the communities we serve across the globe. The GIESC Programme Manager reports to the Director of Programmes and currently supervises two members of staff.
ILGA World’s work in these contexts is highly collaborative. In our work we seek to connect SOGIESC and feminist issues, to empower trans, intersex and non-binary communities, organisations and activists and be a key voice of the communities we serve in global human rights advocacy and debates.
The successful candidate skilfully navigates trans, intersex and women communities and spaces alike, is a respected leader in our communities, has demonstrated management experience and proven ability to develop the programme strategically. Being able to offer a solid feminist analysis of SOGIESC issues and having worked on gender equality is a must.
The ideal candidate will start working in January 2022.
The GIESC Programme Manager leads and develops the work of ILGA World on GIESC. This includes in particular to:
- Supervise the GIESC Programme staff, interns and consultants delivering ILGA World’s programmatic work on GIESC issues
- Plan, manage and implement the overall workplan and budget of the GIESC Programme under ILGA World’s Strategic Plan, as supported by the Operations team and in collaboration with the Director of Programmes
- Manage and/or oversee projects that fall withing the remit of the GIESC Programme
- Support the Director of Programmes and Executive Director in fundraising for GIESC work
- Cover at least one key programmatic area of the GIESC Programme (current programmatic areas are: trans focal point, intersex focal point, responding to gender backlash, and GIESC CSW & feminist work)
- Develop the GIESC Programme Team and manage its growth – this includes potentially developing the programme and its scope to also include womens’ issues and feminist work
- Develop internal procedures for the GIESC Team itself and for its collaboration with the UN Team, in close consultation with the Director of Programmes and the Manager of the UN Programme
- Establish and nurture key relationships with partners, including other civil society organizations, governments, ILGA World’s regions and committees (in particular the trans, intersex and women’s committees)
- Be an international advocate for of the rights of LGBTI persons
- Represent ILGA World in public spaces, in regard to GIESC and women’s issues
- Support and develop linkages between different parts of ILGA’s programmatic work
- Facilitate internal cooperation with the other programmes and areas of work - including the coordination of external communications on GIESC work with the communications team
- Attend conferences, seminars and meetings on behalf of ILGA World
- Work as a part of the ILGA World staff team
- Ensure that all activities are carried out with full regard to ILGA World's policies and ensure compliance with laws and regulations as may be applicable
- Undertake other duties that may be reasonably required from time to time.
- The GIESC Programme Manager is currently required to work from ILGA World’s head office in Geneva
- ILGA World operates under a flexible working system, that among others include flexible working hours and flexible remote work arrangements
- The weekly working time is 37.5 hours on a 100% position
- ILGA World remunerates under a salary matrix structure. The annual salary being offered for the post is CHF 87,600 based on a 100% position based in Geneva
- In addition, ILGA World offers 25 days annual leave, an annual Geneva travel pass (or equivalent contribution to transport costs) and a contribution to lunch expenses
- Some relocation support is offered by ILGA World: this includes limited financial support for moving expenses and, if applicable, obtaining a work permit for the successful candidate.
The successful candidate should be strongly committed to working for human rights and equality, and have competencies and demonstrated experience in the following areas:
Technical requirements
- Ability to conduct complex, intersectional, global advocacy and policy work
- Strategic and in depth understanding of GIESC and feminist issues
- Sensitivity and wisdom in navigating the complex politics around LGBTI, feminist and GIESC issues, both within and outside the movement
- A strong commitment to the rights and dignity of LGBTI persons
- An understanding of how to approach work intersectionally: to eliminate all intersecting forms of oppression, stigma and discrimination
- The ability to manage complex GIESC and women’s community dynamics and a bridge builder to other human rights and social justice movements.
Managerial requirements
- A strategist: proposing, implementing and prioritizing work in uncertain, fast-paced, stressful and evolving environments
- A thoughtful decision-maker: solving complex problems and confidently make decisions under time pressure often with a lack of available information.
- A collaborative team-leader: supporting, developing and motivating a diverse and international team in their work and including them in decision making as appropriate. Demonstrated experience in supervising staff or interns is an asset.
- A pragmatic implementer: understanding the financial, workload and other implications of decisions-taken and experience with planning, implementing and monitoring budgets
Other requirements
- Direct experience of working in Global South contexts
- Availability for international travel related to the implementation of the programmes
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- A team player, contributing to the work of ILGA World as a whole
- Fluent English, both written and oral. Fluency in Spanish and French are also highly desirable. Other languages, especially UN languages, are an asset.
How to apply
The application for this position needs to be submitted online here: https://recruitment.ilga.org/GIESC-Programme-Manager-application-form.
We recommend you download the application form here in Word format, prepare your application, and copy/paste it into the application form.
Should there be well found reasons why this was not possible, you may submit the application form as well by e-mail to [email protected].
Rename this file SURNAME_Name_GIESCManager.docx. For instance: SMITH_John_GIESCManager.docxbefore you submit it.
Deadline for applications: Monday 25 October 2021, 1:00pm Central European Time (CET).
Should you have questions in regard to this call, please reach out to [email protected].
Key dates
22 September 2021: Call for candidates
25 October 2021, 1:00pm CET: Deadline for applications
Beginning of November 2021: Shortlisted candidates for second stage notified of results
Mid November 2021: Skills exercise is sent to shortlisted candidates with a 7-day deadline to complete
Week of 6-10 December 2021: Interviews with shortlisted candidates
December 2022: Offer is made
January 2022: Successful candidate takes up position
ILGA World equal opportunities policy
ILGA World is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
ILGA World is committed to social justice, regardless of any individual or group characteristics, including gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, sex characteristics, race, age, disability, ability, economic status, national origin, religion, ethnicity, and historical, cultural and geographic experiences, nonetheless recognizing the unique challenges faced by individuals with each of these characteristics and by those with intersecting identities.
We offer fair treatment to all current and potential employees, interns and contractors and aim to ensure that all such individuals receive equal treatment (including access to employment, training and opportunities for promotion, as relevant) regardless of any personal attribute as listed above.
ILGA World promotes gender and equality mainstreaming and it actively promotes equality in all policies and actions. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Lesbian and bisexual women, intersex persons, trans and gender-non-binary persons, and persons from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.
If more than one applicant is considered to be equally qualified for the position, priority will be given to applicants coming from marginalised and/or underrepresented groups.