Job Announcement (1 Position for nationals only) 

19th August 2022 Gender and Inclusion Advisor

Plan International is an independent non-profit development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

In Sierra Leone, we support initiatives that create an enabling environment for girls and young women to access, stay and complete school, and our interventions also focus on addressing financial, cultural and social barriers and root causes of education exclusion including provision of bursaries, promoting financial inclusion and other livelihood and income generating initiatives. In addition, we work with government and school authorities, parent teachers’ associations and school boards to foster safe school environment for improved learning. Plan International also empower girls, boys, adolescents and youth to actively advocate for their rights. We promote active citizenship among young people and further young people’s participation in decision-making structures at all levels.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

We are currently seeking to recruit:

Title:                        Gender Equality and Inclusion Advisor

Grade:                     E

Location:                 Freetown (20% travel required)

Report to:     Head of Programme Development and Quality 

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.

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE:

• 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, analyze 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 :

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

Applications: 

Last date for submission of Application (CV and cover letter) is 1st September 2022:

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

Send applications to the below email:

Sierra-Leone.Recruitment@plan-international.org

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’s Safeguarding Young People and Children 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.