Job Announcement
Lead – Gender and Cooperative Development Programs, ICA-AP, New Delhi
We are looking for a dynamic Lead for Gender and Cooperative Development Programs to join our team in New Delhi!
The International Cooperative Alliance is an independent, non-governmental organization established in 1895 to unite, represent, and serve cooperatives worldwide. ICA Asia Pacific (ICA-AP) established its regional office in New Delhi in 1960 to serve as a voice and platform for knowledge-sharing, expertise, and coordinated action on cooperatives in the region. ICA-AP members are national cooperative organizations across 29 countries in the Asia and Pacific region, from all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, industry, services, banking, retail, fisheries, health, housing, and insurance. More information is available at www.icaap.coop.
Since the 1960s, ICA-AP has actively worked to address gender issues within the cooperative sector, with a strong focus on advancing women’s participation and leadership across the Asia and Pacific region. In 1998, the ICA-AP Committee on Women was established to promote gender equality in cooperatives and respond to the interests and needs of women cooperators. Since its formation, the Committee has spearheaded a range of initiatives, spanning knowledge sharing, research, capacity building, and policy advocacy, to advance its mission of fostering gender-inclusive cooperative development in the region.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
ICA-AP is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as the Lead – Gender and Cooperative Development Programs. The Lead will be responsible for spearheading ICA-AP’s initiatives on women’s empowerment through the ICA-AP Committee on Women, advancing cooperative development with gender equality as a central pillar, and facilitating education and training programs focused on women’s leadership and participation in cooperatives across the Asia and Pacific region.
The Lead will work in close coordination with the Regional Director to ensure effective planning, coordination, and implementation of key activities in the Asia and Pacific region. This includes the 17th ICA-AP Regional Assembly from November 24-28, 2025, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Key responsibilities include the development, coordination, and implementation of activities of the ICA-AP Committee on Women related to advancing gender equality in cooperatives. These include, but are not limited to: organizing international meetings, seminars, and conferences; facilitating regional training programs; facilitating policy-advocacy initiatives; and developing relevant knowledge products through research studies on gender in cooperatives.
Specifically, the role and responsibilities include:
Manage the ICA-AP Committee on Women
- Liaise with the ICA-AP Committee on Women’s Office Bearers and members to organize periodic meetings and seminars/conferences (both online and onsite).
- Identity and curate relevant themes and best practices related to gender equality in cooperatives across the Asia and Pacific region.
- Coordinate with ICA-AP members and partners for the successful planning and execution of Committee’s events.
- Mobilize resources to support the activities of the Committee.
- Prepare activity budgets and ensure efficient fund utilization and reporting.
- Contribute content for ICA-AP newsletters and social media, highlighting the work of the Committee and women in the cooperative sector.
Facilitate Training and Education Programs
- Facilitate ICA-AP’s regional training programs by preparing training plans, identifying participants, and coordinating logistics.
- Accompany participants to training venues and provide onsite support.
- Conduct post-training follow-up with participants and gather feedback for improvement.
- Prepare narrative reports for submission to partners and donors.
- Provide administrative and programmatic support to strengthen cooperative education efforts in the Asia and Pacific region.
Support Policy and Advocacy Initiatives
- Develop concept notes and coordinate research studies on key themes related to gender and cooperative development
- Contribute to policy thinking by identifying opportunities to advance gender sensitive cooperative development and participating in policy dialogues.
- Disseminate research findings and outcomes of key initiatives through ICA-AP communication platforms to inform stakeholders and shape policy perspectives.
- Represent ICA-AP in relevant regional advocacy initiatives related to gender equality and cooperative development.
Develop Knowledge Products
- Lead the design and execution of research studies and thematic reports on gender and cooperatives.
- Contribute to the development of content such as case studies, reports, articles, and toolkits.
- Ensure the timely delivery and quality assurance of knowledge products in coordination with consultants and experts.
- Support dissemination strategies, leveraging social media, newsletters, and events to share knowledge products with wider audiences.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Essential:
- Master’s degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Development Studies, Women’s Studies, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the development sector, with a focus on development, coordination, and management of gender-based programs, preferably in cooperatives or institutions working for cooperative promotion and development.
- Excellent command of English and strong verbal and writing skills, with attention to detail.
- Strong multitasking abilities to manage programs efficiently.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment.
- Understanding of Cooperative Values and Principles
Desirable:
- Familiarity with the cooperative enterprise model.
- Prior experience of working in the cooperative sector would be an advantage.
- Prior experience in developing and managing projects or programs with an international organization, membership-based organization, or civil society organizations.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Successful applicant is required to join from October 15 on a one-year contract, which can be further renewed based on performance.
- Applicants must have the legal right to work in India at the time of application. ICA-AP is unable to sponsor work permits.
- The position is based at the ICA-AP Regional Office in New Delhi, India.
- The selected candidate will report to the ICA-AP Regional Director.
- Remuneration will be commensurate with relevant experience and industry standards.
APPLICATIONS
Interested applicants should submit a one-page statement of purpose along with a detailed CV to recruitment@icaap.coop. Please mention in the email subject your name, followed by ‘Lead – Gender and Cooperative Development Programs.’
Deadline for applications is 11:55 pm India time, Friday, September 5, 2025.
*Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
