Job vacancies Emmanuel Development Association (EDA), Ethiopia

• Reports to: Project Manager

To ensure gender equality, social inclusion, and safeguarding principles are effectively integrated across the project, the organization seeks to recruit a qualified Gender Inclusion and safeguarding Specialist.

Overall, Purpose of the Position

The Gender Inclusion and Safeguarding Specialist will be responsible for mainstreaming gender equality, social inclusion, and safeguarding across all project components. The role will ensure that project design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting are responsive to the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across project planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Conduct gender and inclusion analyses to inform project strategies and interventions.
• Develop and implement a Gender and Inclusion Action Plan aligned with organizational and donor requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and capacity building to project staff, partners, and stakeholders on gender, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Ensure meaningful participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups in project activities.
• Support the development and tracking of gender- and inclusion-sensitive indicators within the M&E framework.
• Monitor and report on gender and inclusion outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Promote safe, inclusive, and respectful working environments in line with safeguarding and protection policies.
• Coordinate with partners, government offices, and community structures to strengthen gender-responsive approaches.
• Contribute to donor reports, learning documents, and policy briefs related to gender and inclusion.
• Ensure that the safeguarding policy is developed, periodically reviewed, updated, and effectively communicated to all staff and representatives of the organization.
• Ensure that all staff, partners, and Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs) / Women-Led Organizations (WLOs) receive regular safeguarding a Code of Conduct training.
• Ensure Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs) / Women-Led Organizations (WLOs) cascaded the awareness to program participants and their staff.
• Establish, maintain and monitor safe, accessible, confidential, and effective reporting and referral mechanisms for safeguarding incidents.
• Ensure that all reported safeguarding incidents are properly documented, followed up, and handled in line with organizational policies and procedures.
• Identify safeguarding related risks associated with project interventions and lead the implementation of mitigation and corrective action measures.
• Conduct organizational capacity assessments for YLOs and grassroots organizations and lead the development and implementation of tailored capacity development plans.
• Provide ongoing technical, advisory, and leadership support to partners to strengthen safeguarding systems, practices, and organizational culture.
• Develop an annual safeguarding action plan aligned with safeguarding standards and best practices and ensure effective monitoring and tracking of its implementation.
• Establish and implement a monitoring and evaluation system to assess safeguarding implementation within YLOs and capture learning for continuous improvement.
• Undertake periodic site visits to entrepreneurs and enterprises to assess the application of safeguarding measures and the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies.
• Contribute to the development, revision, and dissemination of safeguarding-related guidelines, tools, and instruments.
• Compile and submit quarterly safeguarding activity reports and monitor follow-up actions with feedback provided.
• Actively participate in safeguarding Communities of Practice organized by the Mastercard Foundation for learning exchange and sharing best practices.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Sociology, or a related field (master’s degree is an advantage).
• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in gender equality, social inclusion, safeguarding, or related development work.
• Proven experience in mainstream gender and inclusion in development projects.
• Strong understanding of gender analysis tools, participatory approaches, and safeguarding standards.
• Experience working with diverse communities, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Familiarity with donor requirements and reporting standards is an asset.
• Proven experience in facilitating safeguarding training, organization capacity building, monitoring surveys or studies.

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Cultural sensitivity and inclusiveness
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• High level of integrity and commitment to gender equality and human rights

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.