Asian Development Bank (ADB)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is inviting qualified consultants to apply for nine consultancy opportunities supporting gender equality, women’s empowerment, institutional capacity development, communications, and sector-specific development initiatives across the Pacific region. The assignments form part of ADB’s efforts to strengthen gender equality outcomes in Pacific developing member countries through technical assistance, policy support, capacity building, knowledge sharing, monitoring, and the integration of gender-responsive approaches into development projects. These opportunities are particularly relevant to professionals with experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment, gender mainstreaming, social development, monitoring and evaluation, communications, energy, urban development, and the implementation of gender action plans. Depending on the position, applicants may need substantial professional experience, relevant academic qualifications, knowledge of Pacific development contexts, and the ability to work with government agencies, project teams, and other development stakeholders. The nine vacancies include four specialist roles focused on gender equality capacity development, implementation, knowledge solutions, and monitoring and evaluation; a national communications position; two international sector specialist assignments in energy and urban development; and two national implementation support consultancies in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Applicants should carefully review the terms of reference, eligibility requirements, deliverables, and application instructions attached to each official opportunity before submitting an expression of interest. Overview of the Nine ADB Consultancy Opportunities No. Position Application deadline 1 Gender Equality Capacity Development and Quality Assurance Specialist November 6, 2026 2 Gender Equality Implementation Specialist November 6, 2026 3 Gender Equality Knowledge Solutions Specialist November 6, 2026 4 Gender Equality Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist November 6, 2026 5 Communications Specialist – National November 6, 2026 6 Gender Equality and Sector Specialist (Energy) November 10, 2026 7 Gender Equality and Sector Specialist (Urban Development) November 10, 2026 8 Gender Equality Implementation Support Consultant (Solomon Islands) – National November 10, 2026 9 Gender Equality Implementation Support Consultant (Vanuatu) – National November 10, 2026 Important deadline information: The first five opportunities have a stated deadline of November 6, 2026, while the final four have a stated deadline of November 10, 2026. The individual vacancy notices should be consulted for the exact submission time, local time zone, and any additional application requirements. About the Asian Development Bank’s Gender Equality Work in the Pacific The Asian Development Bank is a multilateral development bank that works with its developing member countries and development partners to support economic and social development across Asia and the Pacific. Gender equality is an important consideration in inclusive and sustainable development. Gender-responsive development initiatives seek to identify and address barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing opportunities, participating in decision-making, benefiting from public services, and contributing to economic and social progress. The consultancy opportunities are associated with ADB technical assistance project TA-10262 REG, Enhancing Gender Equality Outcomes in Pacific Developing Member Countries. The project supports improved gender equality outcomes through technical assistance, policy advice, knowledge sharing, and capacity development. It also seeks to strengthen gender mainstreaming in project design and implementation and improve the capacity of relevant stakeholders to prepare, implement, monitor, and report on gender assessments and gender action plans. The nine assignments contribute to different parts of this work. Some focus on quality assurance and technical standards, others on implementation and monitoring, while the communications and knowledge roles support the documentation and dissemination of results. The sector specialist positions focus on applying gender-responsive approaches to energy and urban development, while the national implementation support consultancies are based in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Together, the roles provide opportunities for experienced professionals to contribute to development initiatives that seek to make policies, institutions, services, and projects more responsive to gender equality priorities. 1. Gender Equality Capacity Development and Quality Assurance Specialist Application deadline: November 6, 2026 The Asian Development Bank is seeking a Gender Equality Capacity Development and Quality Assurance Specialist to support the quality and effectiveness of gender equality work under its Pacific technical assistance initiatives. This consultancy is suited to an experienced gender equality professional who understands how to assess the quality of gender-related project documents, strengthen institutional capacity, and ensure that gender considerations are appropriately incorporated into development project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. The assignment involves supporting quality assurance processes for key gender equality deliverables. These may include gender assessments, gender action plans, indicators, monitoring frameworks, completion reporting, and knowledge products. The specialist is expected to help ensure that such documents meet the relevant technical standards and align with applicable ADB guidance. Quality assurance is important because gender commitments need to be translated into practical and measurable project activities. A project may identify gender inequalities during its design stage, but these findings must be reflected in appropriate activities, indicators, responsibilities, budgets, and reporting arrangements if the project is to make meaningful progress. The specialist will therefore contribute to strengthening the consistency and quality of gender-related work and supporting the capacity of project teams and stakeholders to apply gender equality principles effectively. Key areas of work The assignment includes work related to: • Reviewing gender assessments, gender action plans, and other gender-related project documents. • Assessing whether gender equality considerations are adequately integrated into project design and implementation arrangements. • Supporting the development and application of appropriate gender indicators and monitoring frameworks. • Providing technical guidance and quality assurance in relation to gender equality deliverables. • Contributing to the quality of project completion reporting and gender-related knowledge products. • Supporting capacity development to improve the preparation and implementation of gender-responsive development activities. • Ensuring that relevant deliverables are consistent with ADB guidance and technical requirements. Required qualifications and experience The position requires a minimum of eight years of experience in gender equality and gender mainstreaming. Applicants should also have an advanced degree in a relevant discipline or an equivalent qualification accepted under the vacancy requirements. Candidates with experience reviewing gender assessments and action plans, advising development project teams, strengthening monitoring frameworks, and improving the quality of gender-related reporting may find this opportunity particularly relevant. Professionals who have worked with international development organisations, government institutions, project implementation units, or development partners may wish to review the full terms of reference to determine how their experience matches the assignment. Application link 2. Gender Equality Implementation Specialist Application deadline: November 6, 2026 The Gender Equality Implementation Specialist role focuses on translating gender equality commitments into practical activities and supporting their implementation and monitoring. Gender action plans are important tools for identifying the actions needed to address gender gaps within development projects. However, preparing a plan is only one part of the process. Project teams must also implement the agreed activities, monitor progress, collect relevant information, identify obstacles, and take corrective action when necessary. The specialist will support this implementation process by working with relevant government agencies, project management units, implementing agencies, and other stakeholders. The assignment places particular importance on helping institutions understand their responsibilities and develop the capacity to implement and report on gender equality commitments. Key areas of work The assignment includes supporting: • The implementation and monitoring of gender action plans. • Government agencies, project management units, and implementing institutions responsible for gender-related project activities. • Capacity development and training to improve the implementation of gender equality commitments. • The use of sex-disaggregated data to assess participation, access, outcomes, and progress. • The identification of implementation challenges and the development of appropriate corrective measures. • Monitoring, reporting, and documentation of progress against agreed gender equality targets. • Coordination among stakeholders responsible for delivering gender-responsive development activities. Required qualifications and experience The position requires at least 15 years of overall professional experience, including a minimum of eight years of experience in gender action plan implementation, monitoring, and reporting. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, while an advanced degree is preferred. This role may be particularly suitable for senior gender specialists who have moved beyond policy development into the practical delivery of gender-responsive programmes and projects. Experience working with government institutions, project teams, and development partners would be relevant to the assignment. The detailed vacancy notice should be consulted for the complete requirements, deliverables, and assessment criteria. Application link 3. Gender Equality Knowledge Solutions Specialist Application deadline: November 6, 2026 The Gender Equality Knowledge Solutions Specialist consultancy focuses on generating, organising, and communicating knowledge that can strengthen gender equality policies, programmes, and development interventions. Effective development work requires more than implementing activities. Organisations must also document what works, identify lessons from implementation, communicate evidence, and make knowledge accessible to decision-makers and practitioners. This role is intended for an experienced professional who can contribute to gender-responsive knowledge solutions, research, publications, and other products that help development stakeholders understand gender equality challenges and apply evidence-informed approaches. The specialist will support the development and dissemination of knowledge that can inform programme design, institutional learning, policy discussions, and future development initiatives. Key areas of work The assignment involves work related to: • Developing gender equality knowledge products and resources. • Supporting research, analysis, and the documentation of experience and lessons learned. • Contributing to innovative gender-responsive programmes, policies, and projects. • Translating technical information and research findings into useful materials for relevant audiences. • Supporting knowledge sharing among development practitioners, government stakeholders, and other partners. •