Deputy Head – Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Department

Internal/ External Vacancy Announcement

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), re-established by proclamation No. 1133/2011, is the constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections, organize referenda, and regulate political parties in Ethiopia. NEBE is working to boost its institutional strength with a special focus on the enhancement of human resource capacity. Accordingly, NEBE would like to invite applicants for the Deputy Head – Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Department Position who meet the following requirements.

Required number: 1

Reports to: Head, GESI Department

Duty station: NEBE Headquarters, Addis Ababa

Duration: Permanent

Salary: Based on the organization’s scale

Job Summary

The Deputy Manager for GESI reports to the GESI Manager and primarily fills in for the Manager’s overall role in the absence of the Manager.

He/she will coordinate and oversee the work of two experts specializing in gender and social inclusion. The role focuses on integrating GESI throughout the entire electoral cycle, including institutional inclusion as well as the inclusion of marginalized and special needs groups. This will be achieved through conducting capacity building, monitoring, assessments, audits, and addressing institutional sexual harassment and violence against women in elections (VAWIE).

The Deputy Manager will ensure the prevention and response mechanisms for these issues are implemented effectively across the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), with a focus on inclusivity, accountability, and safeguarding marginalized and special needs groups.

Duties and responsibilities

Coordination and Managing:

• Oversee the tasks, one focusing on gender and the other on social inclusion, ensuring their contributions align with NEBE’s GESI strategy being developed.
  • Facilitate collaboration between the gender and social inclusion experts, ensuring that all aspects of GESI are integrated into the planning and implementation of the electoral process.
  • Ensure experts’ work is aligned with NEBE’s strategic goals and timelines for GESI integration during the election cycle.
  • Ensure that gender equality and social inclusion considerations are systematically embedded throughout all stages of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidates’ registration, civic and voters’ education, CVE and election observation, polling station establishment, and results announcement.
  • Work closely with NEBE leadership and various departments to ensure GESI mainstreaming in operational, legal, and procedural frameworks.
  • Guide the development and implementation of GESI-focused electoral guidelines, tools, and communication strategies.
  • Lead and conduct institutional assessments to identify gaps and opportunities for better integration of gender and social inclusion at all levels of NEBE operations.
  • Design and implement regular GESI audits within NEBE’s systems, including processes for elections, staffing, and overall operations, to ensure adherence to GESI standards and identify areas for improvement.
  • Collaborate with internal and external auditors to assess and improve the institution’s responsiveness to gender equality and social inclusion.
  • Advocate for policy reforms and actions that support gender equality and social inclusion within the electoral system, working with government bodies, other democratic institutions, civil society organizations, and international development partners.
  • Develop, promote, and ensure the enforcement of robust policies and procedures for the prevention of sexual harassment within NEBE and during elections.
  • Establish confidential reporting mechanisms for sexual harassment or other gender-based violence (GBV) incidents, ensuring survivors have access to immediate support and services.
  • Ensure that NEBE staff and election workers are trained on sexual harassment prevention, reporting protocols, and how to handle sensitive cases during the electoral process.
  • Lead efforts to develop and implement mechanisms to prevent, address, and respond to violence against women during the election cycle, ensuring both prevention and protection measures are in place.
  • Work with local authorities, civil society organizations, and the media to raise awareness and mobilize stakeholders around the risks of VAWIE, particularly in politically sensitive areas.
  • Monitor the election environment for instances of violence against women or other vulnerable groups and ensure appropriate and timely responses.
  • Organize and deliver capacity-building workshops, training, and sensitization programs for NEBE staff, election officials, and stakeholders on gender equality, social inclusion, sexual harassment prevention, and VAWIE response.
  • Support the development and dissemination of training materials to enhance awareness and practical skills in implementing GESI policies.
  • Design and implement monitoring systems to track the effectiveness of GESI policies and strategies during all phases of the electoral process.
  • Regularly evaluate and report on progress, challenges, and lessons learned regarding GESI mainstreaming and prevention of violence, harassment, and discrimination.
  • Monitor the implementation of GESI initiatives, working closely with gender and social inclusion experts to assess impact and identify any barriers to progress.
  • Collaborate with external experts and partners to share best practices and lessons learned in GESI integration, ensuring NEBE is recognized as a leader in inclusive electoral processes.
  • Prepare and submit reports to NEBE management and relevant stakeholders detailing GESI-related progress and results.
  • Prepare presentations or any announcements regarding to GESID activities for government and other organizations in consultation with the respective head.
  • Read, understand and strictly respect government and donor compliances and support gender and social inclusion experts to respect the required compliance.
  • Collect, compile, review and submit quality monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the GESI head.

Ensure GESI related Stakeholder Engagement

• Strengthen partnerships with national and international organizations, civil society, and women’s groups to advocate for inclusive and safe electoral processes.
• Represent NEBE in national and international fora on GESI, gender-based violence, and electoral inclusion, highlighting NEBE’s commitment to inclusivity and protection.

• MA/MSc or Ph.D in Sociology, Development Studies, Gender Studies and other relevant fields
• 9 years and Masters | 7 years and Ph.D. | 4 years in a leadership role
• Strong understanding of gender and social inclusion frameworks, electoral systems, and relevant international best practices.
• Ability to design, implement, and evaluate policies and programs related to gender equality, inclusion, and GBV.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society, and marginalized communities.
• Knowledge of legal frameworks and policies relating to sexual harassment and violence against women in elections.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting, with the ability to generate clear, actionable insights.
• Fluent in Amharic and English (both spoken and written).
• Commitment to inclusivity, gender equality, and human rights.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Proactive, diplomatic, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• High level of integrity, with a commitment to transparency and accountability.