Gender and Safeguards Specialist

Gender and Safeguards Specialist (Part-Time)

Position: Gender and Safeguards Specialist
Location: Ethiopia
Duration: 32 months (over a period of 60 months, 2.5 days per week*)
Reporting to: Project Coordinator

* Missions to districts may involve full-time work for some two weeks, compensating for the extra work days subsequently

The Role:

Ensure the project adheres to environmental and social safeguards while leading gender mainstreaming efforts through Gender Action Plans and social inclusion training. The Gender and Safeguards Specialist will ensure integration of gender considerations and compliance with environmental and social safeguards in line with GEF requirements and national policies, as well as PENHA’s approach to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

Responsibilities

1. Gender

Gender Mainstreaming and Strategy Development:

• Develop the necessary tools to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) aligned with GEF-8 and UNEP guidelines and national gender policies.
• Train the PMU and project partners in the implementation and monitoring of the GAP
• Integrate gender-responsive approaches into project activities, ensuring equal participation and benefits for women and men.
• Identify gender-related risks and propose mitigation measures.

Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provide training and technical support to project staff and stakeholders on gender equality and social inclusion.
• Facilitate gender-responsive consultations and participatory approaches in project activities.
• Engage with government agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders to promote gender mainstreaming.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Develop tools to document the gender-responsive indicators of the results-framework and the Gender Action Plan and contribute to the project’s monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Ensure the collection and analysis of sex-disaggregated data.
• Conduct field monitoring visits to monitor the implementation of the Gender Action Plan and prepare periodic reports on gender mainstreaming efforts and progress.
• Support the preparation of mid-term and final project evaluations with a gender focus.

2. Social and environmental safeguards

Environmental and Social Safeguard Compliance:

• Develop the necessary tools to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Plan (ESMP) aligned with GEF-8, UNEP guidelines and national regulatory frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with relevant national and international environmental and social policies.
• Conduct environmental and social impact assessments and recommend mitigation measures.
• Ensure environmental and social risks are identified, avoided, mitigated and managed throughout project implementation;

Risk Management and Monitoring:

• Carry out visits to the project sites and stakeholder consultations to identify environmental and social risks associated with project activities, monitor the implementation of mitigation measures and propose new mitigation strategies as required.
• Develop and oversee a grievance redress mechanism (GRM) for addressing environmental and social concerns and train the M&E specialist and local partners in the operationalization of the GRM.
• Work with the M&E specialist to ensure reporting, monitoring and evaluation fully address the safeguard issues of the project.

Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building:

• Conduct training sessions for project staff and stakeholders on environmental and social safeguard requirements and the project ESMP and GRM.
• Facilitate community consultations and ensure stakeholder concerns are integrated into project implementation.
• Engage with government agencies and regulatory bodies to align project activities with national policies.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Master’s degree in environmental and development studies, gender studies, social sciences, natural resource management or a related field.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in environmental and social safeguards compliance and gender mainstreaming, preferably within climate change adaptation, forestry, or rural development projects.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting environmental and social impact assessments, developing mitigation and management plans,
• Demonstrated experience in preparing gender analyses and gender action plans and building capacity in gender mainstreaming.
• Prior experience with GEF-funded projects or other projects funded by international development partners
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopia’s environmental and social policies and regulations, as well as national gender policies and frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills, including facilitation of participatory consultations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Amharic (knowledge of other official Federal working languages is an asset).