Gender/SRH Specialist Consultant

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Gender/SRH Specialist Consultant

Code: 53-9149

Duty station: Damascus, with frequent visits to other areas of intervention.

Starting date: 01/01/2024

Contract duration: 1 month

Reporting to: Protection Coordinator

Type of duty station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

INTERSOS officially registered and entered Syria in May 2019 and works under the umbrella of an MoU with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). Currently has two sub-MoU with line Ministries (MoSAL and MoE). INTERSOS is implementing a program that encompasses Protection, Health and Education activities, along with some integrations with Livelihoods and Non-Food Items. INTERSOS is active in the governorates of Rural Damascus, Hama and Southern Idleb, with possible expansion to other Government-controlled areas. INTERSOS is a member of the Protection Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), is a member of the Inter-agency Referral WG, and is representing the INGOs in the Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) Working Group.

General purpose of the position

The Gender/SRH Specialist will provide technical and programme support to the INTERSOS team to strengthen the mission’s capacity to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment and ensure mainstreaming of gender within INTERSOS programming as well as its internal policies, in line with INTERSOS strategic vision.

In close collaboration with the Head of Mission and the coordination team, the Gender/SRH Specialist will:

• Define a gender strategy for the mission;
• Provide technical guidance and capacity-building to INTERSOS staff, ensuring that all INTERSOS program interventions are gender sensitive and in line with international standards;
• Review and make recommendations on internal policies, particularly those regarding recruitment and working conditions, from a gender and inclusion perspective.

In addition, the Gender/SRH Specialist will:

• Define a gender strategy for the mission with a plan of action, including developing the approaches and tools to be used;
• Train/re-train the INTERSOS team on gender analysis and gender mainstreaming;
• Review and make recommendations to revise program interventions (through all stages of development, implementation, and monitoring & evaluation) using a gender lens.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Strategy, coordination and support:

• Review INTERSOS strategies and policies and make recommendations on promoting gender inclusion in all strategic objectives.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance on gender inclusion and mainstreaming to the program managers and staff.
• Make recommendations on INTERSOS interventions and activities ensuring that they are AGD sensitive and ensure AGD and context appropriateness.
• Lead, coordinate, support, and/or conduct gender and power analyses, effectiveness and efficacy studies, appraisal, evaluation and needs assessments as required by the program; in particular, lead on the production of a research paper on gender dynamics in INTERSOS targeted areas
• Assist with quantitative/qualitative assessments in targeted communities to assess effectiveness of interventions and impact.
• Support the HR Coordinator, HoM and Protection Coordinator in developing and implementing a gender mainstreaming policy.
• Design and roll out a standardized gender induction and training package for all INTERSOS staff, tailored to different roles (program, support) and seniorities.
• Undertake regular field visits for monitoring, capacity-building and assessments, and provide support tools to monitor quality of programme implementation.

Networking and Partnerships:

• Maintain collaborative working relationships with relevant coordination bodies and working groups at national and/or field level. Ensure that gender concerns are brought to relevant stakeholders to advocate for the respect of human rights and minimum protection standards.
• Network with gender focal points of other missions and other organizations to share best practices and resources.

Required profile and experience

Education

• BA in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Social Work, Law) is mandatory
• Masters Degree in a gender studies-related subject is preferred
• Additional gender-related training is desirable.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 3 -5 years of relevant work experience in gender programming and mainstreaming with INGOs and/or NNGOs;
• Experience working within a humanitarian and/or development context (experience with IDPs is an asset, as it is experience in the Middle East);
• Experience in gender research, analysis and advocacy.

Professional Requirements

• Strong theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in gender inclusion and mainstreaming in field locations;
• Demonstrated ability to develop gender sensitivity orientations/trainings and to support in the rolling out of them across large organizations.
• Skills in community engagement and development of community-based programming is a distinct asset;
• Very good understanding of protection, human rights law and international humanitarian principles;
• Facilitation, training and mentoring skills.
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills.

Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Arabic is an asset

Personal requirements

• A high degree of flexibility and ability to work in stressful environments;
• A respectful and non-discriminatory attitude, and commitment to confidentiality;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
• Strong time management skills, resourcefulness and attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and cross-cultural skills, ability to communicate effectively on culturally-sensitive issues to diverse audiences.