Gender Specialist

The role involves overseeing the integration of gender mainstreaming considerations into the GRASP project under the guidance of the Project Manager and PPAF Gender Specialist. The position, reporting to the Project Manager and overall supervision of CEO at (SPO requires providing expert advice to field offices and addressing issues related to the inclusion of MSMEs within the EU-GRASP project. The responsibilities include ensuring that both (SPO and PPAF adhere to project design, reporting, communication, visibility, and other guidelines outlined by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the European Union (EU). This comprehensive approach aims to MSMEs' compliance with gender mainstreaming principles and project requirements, contributing to the success and alignment of GRASP initiatives with broader development goals.

Main Responsibilities:

• Engage with the male members of the families and village elders of the women members FCBSs and FMCs and SMEs to sensitize them about GRASP gender interventions as per the Gender Strategy (Action plan, guidelines, tools and approached specified by ITC Gender Specialists).
• Develop and run an awareness/ sensitization campaign/session for women inclusion covering all GRASP thematic areas with the following set of sub activities (awareness/sensitization material provided by ITC)
•  Develop a ‘household approach’ to sensitize the couple, male heads and community leaders, (especially in the less progressive areas where women's mobility is restricted due to cultural constraints), to remove barriers for women to become active members. E.g. encourage men to give a share of their land to their women, share their workload and include women in the decisions making (IEC Material provided by ITC)
• Promote women's inclusion in Farmer Organizations (FOs), or in conservative areas organize women-only SMEs (preferably linked to the male farmer organization). Ensure that women SMEs are taken seriously in the FOs
•  Follow the gender mainstreaming strategy of PPAF throughout the project implementation process.
• Provide advice and support to the Project Managers and the other team members in the Implementation of the key gender components across the GRASP.
• Provide advice and support concerning gender issues to the staff working within the respective field offices.
•  Adhere to the checklist on gender mainstreaming provided by the ITC and PPAF and consult for compliance issues.
• Analyse and ensure the interventions are sensitive to issues of inclusion of women led MSMEs, Persons with Disabilities and Transgender.
•  Support in updating and sharing with staff recent developments and knowledge tools for gender mainstreaming and gender responsiveness.
• Supervise, monitor, and report on the project related gender issues in the districts.
• Share any gender related issue within the project office or in the project area with the Project Manager. Liaise with key District, Provincial, and International stakeholders, key domestic political and civic actors, civil society organizations, international NGOs, UN partners, and donors in the province/district to inform, facilitate and enhance contribution towards the implementation of the gender mainstreaming and responsive agenda.
•  Attend conferences and seminars as directed by the supervisors.
•  Represent SPO GRASP in the gender working group.
• Participate in local gender networks.
• Provide brief updates on the development of gender-related issues in the Districts/Province.
• Assist and ensure sex-disaggregated data collection, compile lessons learned, and establish indicators to support knowledge sharing with a special focus on gender and inclusion.
• Assist in the development of concept notes, project documents, and policy frameworks.
• Support in conducting research on gender issues to gather best practices as directed by the supervisor and or Senior Management of SPO.
• Regularly compile and share positive examples of gender and inclusion related to program and project development with the communication and media unit/team of SPO.
• Ensure that the project staff are aware of Anti Sexual Harassment Policy at the workplace and inform them about the complaint process.
• Assist in organizing gender related seminars, dialogues, trainings and events on gender and inclusion linking them to the relevant International days.
• Identify and communicate relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating SPO mandate.
• Formulate written information clearly and persuasively.
• Ensure that periodic project reports highlight progress against gender indicators.
•  Contribute to results through primary research and analysis with a focus on gender and inclusion.
• Advocate for gender and inclusion as a prerequisite for sustainable development.
• Maintain an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up to date.
• Generate new ideas and approaches, research best practices and propose new and effective ways of doing things.
• Establish effective client PPAF and ITC relationships.
• Proactive, Problem solving, and result-oriented attitude.
•  Share information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidence.
• Perform other work-related outputs as requested by the supervisor.

Please Note:

• Candidate who tries to influence the recruitment process will be automatically disqualified.
• Ready to work immediately
• Women and minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply
• SPO strongly prohibits Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), accordingly; candidate background and reference checks will be conducted