Specialist, Gender and Social Inclusion

Apr 14, 2019 | ACDI/VOCA
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As part of the Gender and Social Inclusion Team in the Technical Learning and Application Division, provide technical support to the ACDI/VOCA Family of Companies (ACDI/VOCA, Tanager, and AV Ventures) on gender equality, female empowerment and the inclusion of other marginalized groups in programs and proposals (gender and social inclusion). Provide technical guidance for promoting the active and quality participation of women, youth, and other marginalized groups in food security, agriculture, economic empowerment, and inclusive market systems programming. Provide guidance to other technical areas – such as nutrition, WASH, finance, and catalyzing investment – on how to apply gender integration, female empowerment and social inclusion principles into their sectors. Support gender integration, female empowerment and social inclusion in the design of proposals and throughout the project cycle.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Integration of Technical Specialty into Projects: Act as technical resource for integrating gender and social inclusion approaches into projects.

• Provide technical guidance and support to assigned projects in gender and social inclusion, including female empowerment, positive youth development, and gender transformative approaches.
• Support projects through: advising and supporting project-level gender and social inclusion specialists; facilitating gender and diversity trainings for staff and partners; supporting projects in implementing ACDI/VOCA’s gender policy and their own project gender and social inclusion strategies; providing ongoing mentoring support and technical assistance; review technical work plans and reports/materials.
• Collaborate with HQ and project-level monitoring and evaluation staff to develop gender- and age-sensitive monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans customized to project objectives and contexts, including indicators, learning questions, risk mitigation plans, and assessments.
• Design and lead gender and social inclusion analyses/assessments and provide technical assistance for the integration of gender and social inclusion into the design and implementation of other technical studies (i.e., value chain assessments, market systems assessments, labor studies) and evaluations (i.e., baselines, endlines, annual surveys).
• Develop technical and programmatic scopes of work for consultants visiting field offices on gender and social inclusion related topics.

New Business: Provide or oversee the provision of technical guidance and/or quality control to proposals and project design, particularly regarding gender-sensitive and gender-transformative approaches, female empowerment, youth engagement/development, and social inclusion in the sectors where ACDI/VOCA implements programming.

• Act as technical lead/writer or subject matter expert for proposals, ensuring gender and social inclusion are effectively integrated throughout proposal process.
• Identify and meet with other organizations/donors on possible new funding activities and/or partnerships related to gender and social inclusion, inclusive market systems, and other relevant technical topics.

Learning and Tools: Identify learning needs/opportunities related to gender and social inclusion. Support and/or lead the development, standardization, and roll out of tools.

• Lead and participate in the ACDI/VOCA Gender and Social Inclusion Community of Practice.
• Contribute to the development of resources, research, and learning themes prioritized by the Gender and Social Inclusion Team.
• Develop and disseminate practices, processes, procedures, products, resources and tools related to gender and social inclusion, training, analysis, and other related areas.

Internal Collaboration: Promote collaboration across the organization and with field offices.

• Organize and or facilitate dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among HQ staff and field staff.
• Actively seek out opportunities to share technical knowledge.
• Solicit feedback from other groups, including the field, and suggest effective ways to work together.
• Respond to technical needs from practice areas, project staff, and others.

External Outreach: Promote ACDI/VOCA’s image as a learning organization.

• Identify venues for external dissemination of ACDI/VOCA’s learning.
• Participate in and present at international, domestic and local meetings, workshops and conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Master’s degree in international development, gender studies, behavioral economics, agronomy, sociology, or other related field required (additional years of experience may be considered in lieu of advanced degree).
• Minimum of four years’ experience, including overseas work, in international development or related field required.
• Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in gender and social inclusion within development required, particularly related to food security, agricultural value chains/market systems, or nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
• Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in positive youth development approaches desired.
• Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in areas of gender-based violence, positive masculinities, male engagement, inclusion of people with disabilities (PWDs), inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) populations; and inclusion of other marginalized groups desired.
• Experience with USAID and USDA programming, particularly Feed the Future and Food for Peace, is strongly desired.
• Experience conducting gender analysis/assessment and applying findings is required.
• Experience with the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) is strongly desired.
• Experience facilitating gender trainings for US and overseas audiences required.
• Fluency in English required. Additional fluency in French and/or Spanish language is strongly desired.
• Demonstrated leadership and team building skills, particularly leading cross-departmental and international groups.
• Strong interpersonal and team skills, with ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Excellent writing skills in English for writing proposals, reports, and papers.
• Excellent analytical and technical skills and expertise with the ability to work independently.
• Highly effective oral communication skills in English.
• The ability and willingness to travel internationally is required.