Gender and Inclusion Adviser

ABOUT ARK:

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity, and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Gender and Inclusion Advisor is responsible for ensuring all ARK projects incorporate gender mainstreaming and inclusion activities at all stages of the project cycle. This will include conducting gender analyses, identifying opportunities to refine activities to ensure that gender is properly considered, conducting gender needs assessments and designing activities in a gender responsive manner. They will also provide training and capacity building to ARK staff, project partners and beneficiaries. They are also responsible for retaining currency on the latest developments on gender in the development sector and for working with the Research, MEAL and Communications teams to conduct research and produce external publications to showcase ARK’s commitment in this key area.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee implementation of ARK’s Gender and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan and keep the latter updated on a bi-annual basis in consultation with the Senior Leadership.
• Lead ARK’s continual operational, organisational and conceptual development in relation to gender mainstreaming. Through continued research, networking, and study of best practice in the development sector, implement improvements across all ARK operations.
• Provide technical leadership and gender focus across all projects to ensure the integration of gender equality and inclusion objectives in programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop Gender Action Plans for ARK projects that provide tangible outcomes for gender integration, inclusion and conflict-sensitivity. In line with the project theory of change, they will support the project team to proactively identify opportunities and design activities to reduce inequalities and tensions, promote inclusion and prevent discrimination and violence based on gender or other identities.
• Support the research and project team to conduct gender and inclusion analyses including leading on incorporating academic theory on gender mainstreaming into practical project implementation.
• Design tools, frameworks, and resources to facilitate gender integration, inclusion and conflict sensitivity. Provide training on the use of these resources.
• Deliver specialised training for project teams and partners to integrate gender and social inclusion objectives.
• Support project MEAL teams to incorporate gender indicators into MEAL tools.
• Mentor ARK staff in gender mainstreaming and lead efforts to increase gender expertise, foster positive attitudes and raise awareness of gender and inclusion amongst staff.
• Engage proactively with donors and partners to articulate project gender mainstreaming activities and linkages with project objectives and theories of change.
• Develop effective safeguarding systems to mitigate against SEAH risks. Train staff and partners on how to consider SEAH risks and effectively mitigate them in their projects.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• Significant experience and demonstrated results in the integration of gender and social inclusion across programmes operating in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
• Experience in designing and delivering training and mentoring to promote individual behaviour and institutional change with respect to gender and inclusion issues.
• Programme design, implementation and/or monitoring and evaluation experience in fragile, conflict-affected or humanitarian contexts.
• Ability to navigate politically sensitive contexts and maintain constructive relationships with a diverse set of key stakeholders, including external donors, project staff and partners.
• Excellent report-writing, research, editing and oral presentation skills.
• Full professional fluency in English.
• Excellent communication, networking and inter-personal skills.

Desirable

• A Master’s Degree or higher in a relevant subject area(s) e.g. Gender, Social Work, Public Health, International development, Conflict, Peace Studies or Community Development Knowledge and experience of programming in the areas of stabilisation, peacebuilding and development.
• Experience working and/or living in ARK key target geographies, e.g. MENA.
• Language skills (Arabic and/or French).

MORE ABOUT OUR COMPANY:

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is:

Smart: We think deeply about things. We’re proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise our limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together, and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges, and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren’t afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is thus committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related-personnel are expected to share this commitment, and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.