Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Lead, Nigeria

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a GESI Lead for an upcoming program in Nigeria funded by USAID. The purpose of the $25-50 million USAID Nigeria Food Basket Activity is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of select value chains (maize, rice, and horticulture) and markets by building capacities of agri-businesses, removing barriers to investments, and developing innovative financial products.

The GESI Lead will lead the development and implementation of the program’s overall GESI strategy and will ensure the integration of women, and other vulnerable populations into all program activities. The program is anticipated to start in 2025 and this position will be based in Nigeria.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the GESI strategy which will guide the integration of GESI concepts and approaches into all program activities, including technical implementation, monitoring, operations, policies, and procedures
• Collaborate with the Chief of Party, technical teams, MEL, and other personnel on GESI strategy implementation and monitoring
• Lead or assist in the design and implementation of GESI analyses, impact assessments, and other learning studies
• Provide technical advice and trainings to program staff, partners, and stakeholders to build their capacity to integrate gender, and other relevant social considerations into designing interventions, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
• Review and provide input to project work plans, with attention to GESI dimensions of technical activities and operations, and discuss GESI issues and priorities with project senior management and other technical specialists
• Support the M&E Lead to ensure that all data is disaggregated by sex and age in data collection processes, analysis, and reporting
• Work with M&E and technical teams to incorporate GESI into Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) plans and practices, including developing GESI indicators and learning questions, incorporating GESI issues into pause and reflect sessions, and ensuring that the project reports on GESI outcomes and impacts
• Lead or assist in the preparation of reports and documents for submission to USAID and ACDI/VOCA home office
• Write, coordinate, and disseminate lessons learned among team and program stakeholders
• Maintain an up-to-date and thorough understanding of GESI related to project components

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sociology, gender, international development, agriculture, business administration, or relevant field is required; master’s degree is desired.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, preferably in an agricultural or food systems context, including 5 years of experience in GYSI programming.
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID rules and regulations related to GESI is required.
• Knowledge of do no harm, women’s empowerment, and positive youth development frameworks and approaches is encouraged.
• Experience working in Nigeria required.
• Fluency in English is required.

Nigerian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.