Project: Improving the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Secondary Education Project (ISTEMSEP)
Executing Agency: Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) of the Republic of Tajikistan
Implementing Agency: Project Administration Group (PAG)
Country: Tajikistan
Position: Gender Officer (PAG)
Contract No: MOES/ISTEMSEP/CS22-10-1 /2026
Project Administration Group (PAG) Staff
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Issuance date: 15/07/2025
Closing date/time: 29/07/2025
1. PROJECT BACKGROUND: The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan (MoES) is implementing the Improving the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Secondary Education Project (ISTEMP), which is funded by the Asian Development Bank. The ISTEMP aims to promote equal access to quality secondary education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from grades 5 to 11. Moreover, the project is focused on building a human capital base to support Tajikistan’s transition to higher labour productivity and competitiveness. The Project Administration Group (PAG) is established for the implementation of the project. The Gender Officer in PAG will be selected through a competitive procedure acceptable to ADB and financed by the Project.
2. BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION: The Project Administration Group (PAG) will recruit a Gender Officer who will be responsible for the development and implementation of gender-responsive policies and strategies, with a focus on gender empowerment, disability inclusion, and social equity. The Gender Officer will also oversee the design and implementation of gender and career awareness programs, identify students at risk of dropping out, and collaborate closely with selected institutions to ensure the successful execution of all gender-related activities. The Gender Officer will be responsible for the implementation of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) and female gender stipends program envisaged under the Project. Additionally, The Gender Officer will monitor and report on gender-related initiatives and coordinate project activities with stakeholders. He/she will directly report to the PAG Manager.
3. SCOPE OF WORK: The Gender Officer will work closely with the PAG Manager and staff and project consultants to ensure focus on gender and social aspects of the project:
collaborate with the EA, the gender focal points of schools, TSPU and DPC., to familiarize project staff with the GAP and their individual responsibilities;
work with the M&E officer and relevant staff to design the sex-disaggregated baseline surveys and annual follow-up surveys, monitor implementation of the GAAP gender targets and GAP indicators incorporated in the project M&E system, and evaluate the impact of scholarship and support schemes, and other interventions under the project;
work with the civil works design team to ensure that the civil works design pays particular attention to gender design, accessibility and safety features;
work with the teaching/learning materials development team and other technical teams to ensure gender mainstreaming and gender equity in materials development, and other interventions under the project;
prepare, update and submit to PAG monthly, quarterly and annual results-based plans and budgets for implementation of GAP and ensure the plan is included in the project’s annual working plan and budgeting;
consult regularly with gender counterpart staff or focal points to monitor and report on GAP implementation and find innovative strategies or remedial measures to address the gender-related issues which may impede the achievement of GAP targets;
review the proposed initiatives of the project, particularly the scholarship and support scheme for students, the leadership training program, etc., to ensure women and disadvantaged groups representation and participation;
conduct regular field visits and monitor GAP implementation and achievement of gender targets, identify problems, delays and other issues, and suggest strategies and actions to remediate and/or improve GAP implementation;
support GAP reporting for inclusion in project progress reports (quarterly, annual, etc.);
prepare a report for inclusion in the project completion documentation on gender equality and women’s empowerment results;
deliver training programs to enhance gender awareness and sensitivity, conduct focus group discussions and working within project teams, including conducting baseline and socio-economic evaluation studies when required; and
perform other tasks as may be reasonably required.
4. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development studies, gender or a related discipline.
Proficiency in conducting gender analyses to identify disparities, biases, and opportunities for promoting gender equality within programs and policies (International Certificates would be an advantage).
Strong communication skills to advocate for gender-sensitive policies, raise awareness, and engage stakeholders in discussions about gender equity.
Competence in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting gender-disaggregated data to inform evidence-based decision-making would be an asset.
A. Experience and Skills:
5 years of experience in gender and development in education, with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of gender relations and gender mainstreaming in Tajikistan.
It would be an advantage to have:
Strong teamwork, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Good skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint, email, and Internet.
Fluent in written and spoken Tajik, English and/or Russian
5. ASSIGNMENT DURATION, LOCATION AND REPORTING: The Specialist is expected to begin the assignment in August 2026 on a full-time basis. The PAG office in Dushanbe is the location of the assignment. This assignment is renewable annually based on the specialist’s performance and project needs.
Qualified applicants are requested to send documents via e-mail: istem.taj@gmail.com
Please, include the position title in the subject of the email.
Please, note that your resume should be prepared and sent in the template accepted by the project (strongly recommended). See it attached.
For more information, please call: +992 44 600 48 10 from 8:00 to 17:00
The deadline for submitting documents is 29 July 2026, before 17:00 (Dushanbe time).