Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor

POSITION TITLE	Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor
POSITION LOCATION	Colombo, with frequent travel to Northern Province, Sri Lanka
REPORTS TO	Project Director, GRIT
CONTRACT TERM	One Year, renewable
APPLICATION DEADLINE	29 October 2023

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BACKGROUND

WUSC is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957, WUSC’s mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Our internationally recognized programs support youth, women and other marginalized populations, focusing on three thematic areas of education, employment and empowerment. Globally, WUSC works with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

THE GRIT PROJECT

Growth, Resilience, Investment and Training (GRIT) – Building a Gender-Responsive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Sri Lanka’s North is a 6-year collaborative initiative (2022-2027) that will build sustainable pathways to enhanced economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive growth in Sri Lanka (SL), especially for young women in the North of the country.

This project will test innovative, sustainable models to improve the enabling environment and reduce gender-specific barriers to increase equitable and sustainable growth of start-up, early-stage, and growth-stage enterprises, especially those owned by, operated by, or serving women in the North of SL.

WUSC is seeking to recruit a GESI Advisor, based in Colombo, to develop, integrate and manage the Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Strategy of the project. The GESI Advisor will be a core member of the GRIT Project team, working as a technical resource for integrating gender equality into all aspects of the project. The GESI Advisor will develop tools and conduct training and coaching to the project staff, partners and volunteers to enable them to contribute to the project’s gender equality and empowerment goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Director, the GESI Advisor will be responsible for the following: 

• Develop a project-specific GESI strategy, plan and activities
• Ensure the gender component is integrated in all relevant project activities
• Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor to ensure that the monitoring and evaluation system is established to ensure that GE results are captured and reported to relevant stakeholders, including the development of annual work plans.
• Work with the project team and its local partners to ensure that the GRIT training programs are gender-responsive;
• Assist project staff and partners’ staff in integrating GESI into project planning and management approaches (including results-based management tools) and propose strategies to increase project impact on GESI
• Provide technical assistance to partners in assessing the strength and adapting their approaches to gender mainstreaming across the program cycle and within all project activities;
• Work closely with Women’s rights organizations identified to support gender equality within the project including coaching, supporting and collaborating with them
• Create or adapt GESI resources and tools to assist staff in effectively prioritizing and integrating GESI in their work
• Advise, train and coach the GRIT project team and partners on gender equality
• Advise and guide international partners on GESI considerations within local contexts, dynamics and complexities towards effective project results
• Liaise regularly with the Ottawa-based WUSC Gender Equality & Social Inclusion to share best practices, tools, and organizational approaches to GESI;
• Facilitate the use of GESI data to promote evidence-based learning, reflection and decision making within the project
• Participate in GESI-related working groups and maintain close working relationships with counterparts in other relevant international NGOs in Sri Lanka.
• Provide data, information and case studies towards the project’s communication strategy
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Country Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

MA/MSc or equivalent in international development or a related field (human rights) required – coursework in Gender Equality in international development is preferred;

Experience

• A minimum of five years of active GE work experience in development programming required; ideal candidate will have both theoretical and practical background in GE and skilled in GE analysis and methodologies;
• Experience working on gender equality in the North of Sri Lanka, including demonstrated understanding of the cultural contexts and gender dynamics in this region
• Familiarity with WEE / entrepreneurship / gender lens investment / women and youth economic empowerment / private sector engagement;
• Knowledge of and experience supporting a range of actors within the Sri Lankan entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly with a gender lens
• Proven experience engaging a variety of stakeholders in development programming, including training and educational institutions, private sector, government organizations, and civil society;
• Knowledge of national development strategies, particularly in relation to the economic sector, businesses, entrepreneurship, employability, and vocational and technical training.
• Knowledge of Results-Based Management.
• Experience in capacity building, training, and coaching;
• Experience with a range of institutional donors, such as Global Affairs Canada;
• Knowledge of the Canadian Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) is an asset;
• Knowledge and experience working with government ministries.
• Work experience in an intercultural context.

Competencies

• Knowledge of accountability, protection, women’s rights frameworks and best practices;
• Strong analytical and research skills;
• Proven ability to work productively with a variety of stakeholders to run participatory processes and meet tight deadlines with an emphasis on producing quality products;
• Excellent capacity building skills, with demonstrated experience in effective training, coaching and facilitation;
• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to build relationships, network, communicate and represent as required;
• Excellent communications skills;.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities;
• Passion and commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment;
• Proficiency with information technologies and computer skills (Word, Excel, the Internet, etc.) and familiarity with Google Drive and Gmail is an asset;
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages

• Complete fluency in oral and written Tamil and English is required. 

APPLICATIONS:

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce.  We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations.  Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment. 

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer.  We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  No telephone calls please. If you wish to apply for this position, please follow this link to register on WUSC’s candidate database.