GESI Specialist

The position’s primary focus will be to support all WV Laos Staff to ensure continuous improvements in reinforcing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in all policies and programming of Laos. S/he will support WV Laos teams and programs (and through them partners and sub-grantees) to foster an inclusive and empowering programming. This role covers the development and implementation of the GESI Strategy, aligning to the donor requirements. Raising resources and getting new partners for Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) aligning to the WV Lao PDR’s strategic goal to bring change in the lives of children in Laos, particularly to ensure that children, especially girls, children with disabilities and ethnic minorities are equally represented, protected and participate in development programs. This role has a strong focus on strengthening WVL’s evidence based GESI programming and ensuring that all interventions are in line with WV partnership and humanitarian industry global standards.

Success in this role is achieved by supporting the staff and programs of WV Laos in partnering, positioning and capacity building of local staff in areas related to child protection. To mainstream GESI into World Visions’ activities and implement targeted activities that ensure women and individuals from marginalised groups, including people with disabilities, have opportunities to safely participate in the programme interventions. The position is also responsible for any advocacy related activities that the Organisation does to amplify the voices of children.

The role includes:

• Integrate GESI in all designs, programming, monitoring, resource acquisition;
• Facilitate to integrate GESI in need assessment of all projects ;
• Support to create awareness on Gender based violence and psycho social counseling for men and women of the affected areas along with the technical programmes;
• Facilitate to make GESI responsive planning, training and development support across all functions;
• Incorporate GESI in programming at all levels (community to national levels) and Business Development support to increase scale and impact.
• Ensure that all staff and functions have the gendered responsive facilities (e.g. separate toilets for women, child care provision, inclusive designs);
• Undertake capacity development activities in the area of GESI for all staff, interns, volunteers in the target areas;
• Train staff and staff of partner organizations for addressing gender and social inclusion in programming in target areas;

Ensure that all activities are planned and implemented in a gender sensitive and inclusive manner and that all implementing partners are sensitized and trained in gender and social inclusion

Major responsibilities

GESI integration

• Work along with regional GESI advisor to administer GESI matters for the sector in line with the work plan for the office
• Provide sound interpretation on GESI in line with the partnership GESI Policy, and relevant national legislations, donor policies relevant to GESI.
• Undertaken research, review and evaluate appropriate GESI related policies to promote best practice in the Organisation.
• Collaborate with technical specialists for better understanding of their sectoral priorities and business contexts to enable thorough GESI implementation.
• Ensure GEDSI principles and reflected in all materials developed for TP and for materials used in the communities
• Training for staff On GEDSI principles

Gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) scale up

• Support the development and implementation of a range of targeted GEDSI activities, designs and detailed implementation plan, including Gender self-assessment ( GSA)
• Provide support to all functions to ensure GEDSI is meaningfully mainstreamed into World Vision’s business processes and targeted activities are implemented
• Provide advice to stakeholders on approaches for improving GEDSI within the Organisation and how to achieve outcomes in the program
• Support the implementation of a GEDSI awareness program and coordinate activities related to the GEDSI Strategy
• Assist with the production and submission of reporting and budget management

Advocacy and Campaigns

• Lead the National and international campaigns.
• Point person for any advocacy related national and local programming.
• Monitor the advocacy done at the project level and the national level and ensure reporting is done in all the project reports and the country office reports.
• Represent World Vision in Child rights working groups, social accountability forums and Govt campaigns.

Resource Acquisition, External Engagement and Representation

• Leads proactive engagement of external stakeholders including peer agencies and pre-positioning with donors to deepen strategic and operational collaboration for child well-being.
• Responsible for interpreting and applying global, regional and national trends and learning to WVI Lao PDR’s child protection, advocacy and GEDSI
• Represent WVI Lao PDR within technical, coordination, and advocacy groups/consortia on issues related to child protection, advocacy and GEDSI
• Participate in Global Community (ies) of Practice child protection, advocacy and GEDSI Regional sectoral initiatives, and National Forum and Technical Working Groups.
• Lead technical input to proposals, ensuring alignment to TP, preparation of upcoming strategy and strategy revision.
• Manage proactive and responsive relationship with Government, CSO, DPs (NCAWMC, MoLSW, UNICEF, etc) , and other partners in the field, under the direction of Project Manager/ Director.
• Liaise with technical leads in other FOs and in other organisations for cross learning between offices

Required Professional Experience

• 3-5 years of relevant work experience in GESI programming , practice skills; familiarity with child protection minimum requirements ( incident reporting, inclusive mechanisms and adolescent programming) ; and experience integrating a compliance issue throughout a global organization.
• Strong influencing and networking skills; consortia/network development experience
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with internal and external stakeholders
• Commitment to life-long learning
• Flexible and ability to adapt
• Can work independently as well as work well in a team
• Commitment to and understanding of transformational development among the poor, deepening impact in the lives of the most vulnerable children and households in Lao PDR.

Required Education, training, license, registration and certification

• Bachelor or master degree of public health, social sciences, economics or a relevant discipline
• Strong presentation, facilitation and coordination skills
• Excellent interpersonal communication skill, and ability to work closely and supportively within a team
• Good analytical/problem solving skills and an eye for detail
• Proficiency in English (especially reading and writing) and good report writing skills
• Demonstrated competency in implementing GEDSI/Child Protection and advocacy campaigns

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• At least 3 years experience in leading GESI
• Familiarity with protection operations in Laos

Travel and/or Work Environment

It’s a National office based role. Willingness to travel to the provinces and districts on a frequent basis

Language Requirements

Fluency in Lao and English