OFFICE FOR WOMEN
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Australian Delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation Women and the Economy Forum
26th-29th September 2017
Hue City, Vietnam
The Office for Women is seeking Expressions of Interest from members of
private and civil society to join the Australian delegation to the
Australian Delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Women
and the Economy Forum (WEF) for 2017.
WEF is an annual APEC forum dedicated to gender equality issues and
represents an opportunity to enhance economic opportunities for women
through the APEC process. The role of the non-government delegates is to
attend meetings, showcase Australian initiatives and discuss and assist in
developing recommendations for APEC to enhance the economic participation
of women in APEC economies.
We are seeking nominations from candidates with extensive experience
relating to this year’s indicative three key priorities (and supporting
eight sub-priorities):
1. Promote gender equality for inclusive economic growth.
1.1.
Narrow gender gaps in access to decent work, assets and skills
to enhance women’s economic and financial inclusion.
1.2.
All women are entitled to health care services.
1.3.
Increase proportions of public investment in social services
and infrastructure.
2. Strengthening women-owned Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’
competitiveness and innovation.
2.1.
Develop women-owned microenterprises/individual business
households into Small and Medium Enterprises.
2.2.
Accentuate the roles and voice of women-owned business
associations/organisation in policy formulation and enforcement to
enhance women-owned enterprises’ inclusion in the digital era.
3. Narrow gender gaps in human resource development.
3.1.
Reduce gender gaps in access to education.
3.2.
Improve professional skills for women workers.
3.3.
Reinforce solutions for labour markets and access to employment
for women workers.
Please note that the APEC WEF 2017 priorities, listed above, are still
subject to change from the APEC WEF Chair (Vietnam).
We welcome applications from all interested parties, and encourage
applicants from diverse backgrounds, in particular Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people.
OFFICE FOR WOMEN
In applying, applicants agree that they will fully self-fund all attendance
costs including travel, accommodation and any other related expenses.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
As a member of the Australian delegation to the APEC WEF, you will have
relevant industry exposure and experience and be an effective and confident
communicator, including the ability to tailor your style to any given
audience.
You will be expected to have demonstrated experience that complements at
least one of the three key priorities of WEF 2017.
You may be required to discuss and assist in developing advice and/or
recommendations for APEC to enhance the economic participation of women,
relating to these sub-priorities. You may also be required to take on a
speaking role as a panel participant or moderator.
As part of the delegation you will be expected to attend meetings which may
include, but are not limited to:
 Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) working group
meeting;
 Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy (PPDWE);
 High Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy (HLPDWE); and
 Other Australian delegation meetings or events as required.
An explanation of standard WEF meetings is provided at Attachment A.
SELECTION PROCESS
Australia will send a small delegation from the public and private sectors
to WEF. The final composition of Australia’s delegation will be at the
discretion of the Minister for Women.
In providing your Expression of Interest, please include a current resume
(1-2 pages) and written application (1-2 pages), outlining your suitability
for the role against the selection criteria. Please also include the
contact details of two current referees who can speak to your suitability
against the selection criteria.
All expressions of interest are due by midnight Sunday 9th July 2017, and
should be directed to [email protected]
Expressions of Interest will be assessed by a selection panel of officers
from the Office for Women, with Minister Cash to decide the final
composition of the delegation.
Interviews with candidates may be conducted by telephone or via Skype, with
interviews anticipated to take place during the week commencing 17 July
2017.
OFFICE FOR WOMEN
Successful candidates will be notified by telephone, with a follow-up
confirmation email. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by email.
Please contact Rachael Farrell, Director International Engagement Office
for Women on
02 6271 5271 should you have any questions.
OFFICE FOR WOMEN
SELECTION CRITERIA
1.
Outline why you would like to be involved in the Australian delegation
to the APEC WEF and what strengths you can bring to the Australian
delegation.
2.
Experience providing advice on relevant issues relating to women and
the economy, including your ability to work collaboratively in a fast
paced environment.
3.
High level of communication skills and the ability to effectively
communicate with diverse audiences.
4.
Demonstrated expertise and experience that complements at least one of
the APEC WEF 2017 key priorities (and at least one supporting subpriority).
ATTACHMENT A – STANDARD WEF MEETINGS
APEC members recognise that the full potential of women’s contribution to
the Asia-Pacific economy remains untapped. As a result, women’s economic
empowerment and greater inclusion of women in the regional economy are high
on APEC’s agenda. The primary mechanism for overseeing this work is through
the Women and the Economy Forum (WEF) which consists of the following three
components:
1.
2.
3.
Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) meeting,
Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy (PPDWE); and
High Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy (HLPDWE)
Policy Partnership for Women and the Economy (PPWE)

An official’s level working group that discusses and develops policy
recommendations to APEC Leaders on concrete actions to advance the
economic integration of women in the APEC region.

PPWE works to address five key pillars impacting women’s economic
empowerment: access to capital; access to markets; skills and capacity
building; women’s leadership and agency; and innovation and technology.

Gender focussed projects are delivered through the PPWE. PPWE also
provides advice on and coordinates projects across other APEC working
groups.

The PPWE develops the Ministerial Statement for the WEF.
Public-Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy (PPDWE)

A meeting of hundreds of leaders from public, private, and civil society
sectors to discuss recommendations to increase women’s economic
participation which contribute to the HLPDWE.
High-Level Policy Dialogue on Women in the Economy (HLPDWE)

A meeting for ministers and senior officials responsible for setting a
broad spectrum of economic policy matters to agree on approaches to
increase women’s economic participation across APEC economies.