Equality Advisor – Afghanistan

About the role:

This is a 2 year, new role with unaccompanied terms based in Afghanistan with a Grade 4 salary range of €44,133 – €49,038. You will be expected to travel to the programme areas for 50% of your time as needed. This position will be based in Taloqan or Faizabad based on need.

You will report to the Programme Director (PD) and work closely with Country Director, Systems Director, Programme Coordinators/Managers, Gender Officers, MEAL Coordinator, Consortium Director, Country Finance Controller, Heads of Systems Departments, and Concern Head office Equality Advisors. You will also represent Concern in consultation with Programme Director to Clusters, Coordination Forums and NGOs in Afghanistan.

We would like you to start mid-February 2023

Your purpose:

The Equality Advisor will work across the programme teams to promote the mainstreaming of equality and inclusion principles within the work of Concern Afghanistan, specifically to improve programme appropriateness, quality and impact. The role will build the capacity of all project staff for increasing sensitivity to gender, age, disability, diversity and other power dynamics in all aspects of programming and ensure a stronger systematic incorporation in all programmes. You will also work closely with all systems departments to provide guidance for a more equitable and inclusive workplace. You would be expected to take learning needs into account and develop and conduct capacity building for all staff and work closely with programme teams to develop high quality contextually appropriate approaches and will provide timely and relevant technical inputs to programme teams in the areas of equality, gender equality, disability and inclusion, protection mainstreaming, and gender based violence. Overall you will contribute to Concern’s organisational approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and the implementation of inclusion and equality initiatives both programmatically and internally.

You will be responsible for:

Integrate equality and inclusion principles and approaches within Concern’s programmes

• Apply a gender lens to all programmes, starting with a gender analysis including conflict dynamics at the inception of new programming, contributing to the design of gender transformative programming where possible.
• Regularly contribute to proposal development, bringing innovative and contextually appropriate approaches to the design of programmes. Create sectoral outcomes, indicators and strategies for mainstreaming inclusion and equality.
• Ensure that technical support for equality is relevant and grounded in field realities by actively seeking and undertaking regular program visits.
• Provide technical support and develop additional tools and guidance materials to strengthen the integration of inclusion, protection mainstreaming principles and gender sensitive and transformative approaches into programmes, and recommend adjustments or new activities as required
• In cooperation with the Programme Director, Programme Coordinators / Managers and Area Coordinators identify and pursue opportunities for targeted inclusion activities and projects

Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Lead detailed gender dynamics analysis as (including conflict dynamics) at the inception of new programming, contributing to the design of gender transformational programming where possible.
• Collaborate with the MEAL department to generate learning from Concern programmes to provide evidence of impact from equality mainstreaming and to promote good practice in equality work.
• Support programming staff in incorporating equality, inclusion and gender issues in assessments, project monitoring and evaluation systems (performance questions, indicators, sampling methods, procedures, etc.) of all projects.
• Ensure Concern applies a transformative approach to programmes, through the development of a work plan to integrate the six Washington Questions with all sectors, the roll out, including integrating M&E adaptions as well as coordinating with sector leads for programme adaptions.

Integrate equality and inclusion principles and approaches across Concern’s departments

• Develop a network of, train, and provide support and regular updates to Inclusion Champions
• S/he will champion a campaign across departments for a more inclusive and equitable workplace culture.
• Support managers and HR teams in reviewing, and revising where necessary, the organisation’s workplace, policies and recruitment procedures to address and advance equality, diversity and inclusion with their teams and offices.
• Support the annual equality audit
• Lead the Concern Afghanistan Gender Technical Working Group
• Work with heads of systems departments to ensure Concern Afghanistan policies and practices are inclusive and enable a safe and supportive working environment
• Collate and disseminate information related to equality; including significant global developments, resources and tools, funding and training opportunities.
• In close coordination with the PD and the HQ Equality Advisor, and based on the recent gender assessment, write an Inclusion Strategy for Concern Afghanistan and a corresponding action plan. Launch the strategy internally, oversee its implementation, and compile regular monitoring and updates on the Inclusion Strategy and progress against targets for the CMT

Coordination

• Coordinate and represent Concern with equality and inclusion working groups such as people with disabilities.
• Build relationships with other stakeholders and leading actors in inclusion in country, and regionally.
• Coordinate regularly with the Equality Advisor in Concern HQ to ensure that strategies, tools, approaches and trainings are in coordination with Concern’s global guidance

Capacity Building and Human Resources

• Identify relevant training and learning opportunities for programme and systems staff to advance attitudes, knowledge and skills in equality and inclusion.
• Conduct regular trainings for staff across departments on diversity, inclusion, equality, and other key topics
• Provide technical guidance and support to gender officers across projects, ensuring a cohesive approach across programs

Safeguarding

• Contribute to the dissemination and understanding of the Concern Code of Conduct and its associated policies
• Provide technical support and training as needed to help management team, staff and partners to reach a good understanding of Concern’s safeguarding policies and reporting mechanisms.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS):

• Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E).
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that the Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed.
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behavior is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Other

• Participate in country-level strategic planning initiatives and other duties as determined by line management.
• Adhere fully to the commitments and rules of Concern’s Programme Participant Protection Policy and Code of Conduct and associated policies, including the respect of confidentiality.
• Undertake any other relevant and reasonable work as requested by line manager.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

• A Masters level qualification in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Studies or a related field;
• Minimum 4 years’ experience working in an NGO or similar organisation, designing, implementing, reviewing and capturing learning from programmes in a development and / or humanitarian setting;
• Demonstrable understanding and knowledge of inequality, diversity and inclusion, and protection related to development and emergency contexts, with specific skills and knowledge of gender inequality, gender analysis and gender transformative programming.
• Evidence of practical application of the above in a range of contexts, particularly those characterised by high levels of poverty, vulnerability to natural disaster, poor governance and institutions and conflict and post conflict environments
• Cultural sensitivity, patience, flexibility and ability to work well in a multi-sectoral and multi-cultural team
• Demonstrated experience working in a resource constrained environment
• Demonstrated experience designing gender accommodating and gender transformative interventions and programmes
• Experience and skills in the delivery of training programmes, experience of gender transformative training is an advantage
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and evidence of effectiveness as an influencer
• Demonstrated experience in equality, inclusion and/or gender programming
• Excellent writing skills in English, including proposals and reports.
• Excellent networking, communication, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Very strong team worker with excellent interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle a diverse and very heavy workload; ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines.

We would also like:

• Ability to speak, read and write Dari is an asset.
• Previous work experience in Afghanistan or similar context
• Affinity with organisational values, mission and vision, commitment to humanitarian principles
• Familiar with UN coordination mechanisms (cluster approach)