Gender and Inclusion Advisor – Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries. Plan International Sierra Leone is seeking to recruit top-notch professional to fulfil the position of Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor based at the Country Office to deliver the tasks outlined below:

Summary of the position:

The purpose of the Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor role is to lead the realization of Plan’s Gender Equality and Inclusion Policy at Plan International Sierra Leone, including programming, advocacy and operations. The Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor is responsible for identifying and designing innovative gender and inclusion programs through provision of appropriate technical support in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation to achieve gender equality in line with Plan International Sierra Leone’s country strategic plan.

This role will provide specialist guidance and support on gender mainstreaming and inclusion in line with the country strategy. The Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor will support programme staff to mainstream gender into their programs, and provide specific leadership on gender and inclusion initiatives. The Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor will provide mentoring, support and training to enable gender transformative project and activity design, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and to ensure assessment, consultations and communication processes that address the rights of girls and boys, women and men.      

• The Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor influences decision makers across Plan’s programs and operations.
• Provide Capacity Development for CO Staff
• Ensure Gender Transformation design, implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation across all new programs
• From time to time there may be a responsibility for small grants management.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Development, Implementation, Monitoring and Reporting

• Identify and develop innovative gender and inclusion specific programs that contribute to social change at community, district and national levels.
• Provide technical support for the design and implementation of gender transformative programs, budgets and monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes in line with overall Plan International Sierra Leone’s strategy and objectives.
• Undertake periodic field monitoring and review to assess the extent to which gender commitments in programme design are being implemented, and identify specific training needs for staff and partners.
• Support program managers and staff to design and implement evidence-based solutions for gender transformative programs, and to provide monitoring and quality assurance support on the ground. 
• Provide leadership for Plan’s Planting Equality, Gender, Inclusion and Child Rights training program and capacity building support to Plan International Sierra Leone staff and partners to integrate gender and inclusion in their work.
• Facilitate gender audits, reviews and reporting in line with Plan’s corporate requirements.
• Measure progress in gender and inclusion outcomes, analyse gender-relevant data and document the results/changes in social norms and recommendations in reporting on programmes. 

Capacity building

• Facilitate and give inputs to annual training plans and provide or facilitate gender equality training for staff as required.
• Where needed, provide advice and training support to the Human Resource and OD Manager to support the development of local policies and procedures that are aligned to Plan International Gender Equality Policy and global best practice.
• Ensure own professional development, through engagement in local and global networks, and specialist agencies.

Networking

• Foster and build relationships with partners and networks and other government entities that promote advocacy work and accomplishment if Plan’s gender and inclusion goals 
• Identify and engage gender and inclusion champions and build support networks among colleagues and partners.

Safeguarding children and young people & gender equality and Inclusion

• Promote and abide by Plan policies and procedures including but not limited to: Gender equality and Inclusion mainstreaming, Safeguarding Policy; Code of Conduct and the related mandatory reporting responsibilities.
• Ensure staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities these policies and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• A degree in a relevant discipline i.e. Gender Studies and/or Social Sciences from a

reputable institution

• Working knowledge of integration of inclusion of excluded groups in development programming
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and theories of gender and inclusion programming
• Understanding the root causes and consequences of gender discrimination, exclusion and inequality and how they contribute to the non-realization of children’s rights and developing practical strategies to address them
• Knowledge and experience in using participatory and gender transformative development and influencing methods
• In-depth understanding of how gender, age, and other socio-cultural factors (ethnicity, disability) intersect to affect access to rights.
• Ability to facilitate difficult discussions with various stakeholders
• Influencing, representational and advocacy skills, and excellent communication skills including a high level of written and spoken English

Desirable

• A minimum of 5 years programming on gender equality mainstreaming and the ability to translate gender theory into practical action
• Facilitation, coaching and training experience
• Proven ability to develop project proposals and concepts
• Excellent networking and partnership building skills
• Good communication, facilitation and report writing skills
• Strong team-building and motivational skills
• Understanding of gender and inclusion in emergencies, and specific gender inequalities and risks in emergencies contexts, especially for girls
• Understanding of a “three-pronged” approach to policy dialogue, gender and inclusion mainstreaming and targeted programming for girls and women.
• Ability to develop and expand alliances and partnerships with women’s movements, indigenous’ movements and LGBTIQ networks that promote respect for gender equality.
• Present/speak about gender equality and inclusion with gravitas and passion, and in a manner that people can relate to and understand in their local context. 

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Ensure staff understand Plan International’s commitment to driving a feminist agenda within the organization, and the ambition for gender equality and gender transformative leadership is embedded in our value-based leadership framework.

Plan International’s Values

https://plan-international.org/about-us/careers-plan-international/our-values-work

To apply for this job, kindly click on “Apply” Your application should include: 

• A cover letter
• A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent supervisor

Only short-listed candidates shall be contacted. References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plan International Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.

Plan International follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

 Location:             Country Office/Freetown

Type of Role:        Gender and Inclusion Advisor

Reports to:            Head of Programme Quality and Development

Grade:                    E

Closing Date:        1st September 2022

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.  Apply now »