The Participatory Gender Audit (PGA) is a guided self-assessment tool used by organizations to reflect and analyse their own gender capacity, challenges and good practices. It is as well a process that promotes organizational learning on gender equality and gender mainstreaming through a participative methodology.

Why is certification necessary?

The ILO PGA certification will ensure high quality standards for facilitators implementing the PGA and will provide guarantees to organizations undergoing a PGA that the certified PGA facilitators are meeting or exceeding the quality standards set out by the ITCILO.

The certification will provide facilitators with a specific set of know-what and know-how competences, such as:

• applying a gender perspective to analytical work;
• detecting and mapping discrimination at work;
• identifying strategies for advocacy and capacity-building in promoting inclusive workplaces;
• improving communication competence and organizational capacity to coordinate Gender Audit;
• analysing accountability, evaluation and monitoring systems and instruments in place for gender equality and change management;
• identifying new challenges and possible improvements.

Certified facilitators will have access to:

• all PGA course materials, case studies, training tools and reference materials;
• a network of certified facilitators from around the world who support each other in delivery and in the identification of professional opportunities;
• preferential access to future PGA curricula and ILO referrals. 

The certification process is a valuable professional development experience in itself. However, any person who participates in the certification process, regardless of whether the candidate is ultimately certified, will have had an opportunity to learn new training techniques and to strengthen areas of technical weakness. 

The training and the certification will be carried out by gender experts that have applied the ILO PGA methodology, ran audits and are expert trainers. They have a wide experience in directly assisting national and international institutions worldwide on how to mainstream gender in development programmes and organizations/enterprises.

Only complete application portfolio will be reviewed. It must include,

• the complete online application;
• a short original essay of maximum of 500 words describing gender mainstreaming challenges in the applicant's own organization or client’s ones (if this is not possible describe main challenges in general) and why obtaining the Certification would be an added value to their work.

Only qualifying participants will be invited to proceed with enrolling in the certification process. Previous working experience in gender equality and/or women’s empowerment related areas of at least two years or having completed relevant post-secondary studies/ research studies at the deadline for submission are essential prerequisites for accessing the certification process. Good analytical capacities are essential. Written and spoken fluency in the language in which the training is held is also essential. Desirable competencies include: experience in preparing and delivering training and knowledge of change management.

Admission Complete applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and only candidates meeting essential prerequisites will be invited to the certification programme.

Candidates to the certification process will have to attend a learning phase which include two mandatory elements:

1. Online learning phase

The certification programme will cover the following content:

• reviewing the gender audit process and basic concepts and principles of gender audits and assessments;
• multiple faces of discrimination in the world of work;
• PGA fundamentals and audit process step by step.

Expert tutors will accompany participants, provide guidance and expertise through the online forum, webinars and virtual knowledge exchange.

2. Examination/testing competences

Participants will undertake a twofold examination:

• written exercise;
• practical and simulations.

The examination will be based on specific performance criteria.

ITCILO roles and responsibilities

• Provide relevant expertise as required during the training and examination phases;
• In collaboration with the ILO Gender, Equality and Diversity Branch, manage the roster of certified PGA facilitators;
• Manage a forum for PGA facilitators;
• Keep certified facilitators informed on new approaches, products and opportunities.

PGA facilitators' roles and responsibilities

• Certified facilitators will be required and responsible of informing the ITCILO of audits they have conducted and provide details on their own role. If possible, they should provide details on the size of the audited organizations.
• Certified facilitators will be expected to share their experience through the online community so that their certification may be renewed at the end of the 5- year term, and provide inputs to other certified facilitators introducing a self-appraisal and a peer assist process with colleagues and other stakeholders; 
• Maintain a professional conduct as per PGA principles (keep confidentiality, nonjudgmental attitude, etc).
• Be aware that ILO certified facilitators carrying out PGA should do so in conformity with ILO’s principles, values and standards.

Certified facilitators are expected to put their new skills to work within five years of the date of certification. This is key to ensuring that certified facilitators keep and develop their own competencies over the years. It is also a way for ITCILO to be able to follow-up, monitor and as to maintain a feedback mechanism with the facilitators.

Details on the certification maintenance process will be made available to the selected candidates. 

The tuition includes:

• tuition and access to on-line course and E-campus.
• training materials;
• certification evaluation, certificates and CoP management

Tuition must be paid in advance before the beginning of the course by the participant.

Payments by bank transfer, should be made to:

International Training Centre of the ILO

Account no. 560002

Bank: Intesa San Paolo Ag. 523

IBAN: IT96 G 03069 09214 100000560002

BIC: BCITITMM

Address: Corso Unione Sovietica 409, 10135 – Italy

Note: on the bank transfer form, the participant’s name and the course code should be stated

For payments by credit card, please e-mail us.

If you have a sponsor please include the supporting letter from the sponsoring/funding institution.

Incomplete files will not be considered.

As an organization dedicated to fundamental human rights and social justice, the ILO is taking a leading role in international efforts to promote gender equality. In line with this ILO focus, men are particularly welcome in this Certification Programme.