PM I – Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Specialist

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Party – STAWI Project

Length of Contract: 5 years

Please note that this position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity and the USAID’s approval of candidacy*.*

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Sustainable, Transformative, Accessible, WASH Innovations (STAWI) Project:

Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible Water Interventions (STAWI) project aims to strengthen resilience and expand economic opportunities in targeted northern and southeastern counties through management of water resources, expansion of sustainable water services, and improved use of water within agriculture and livestock market systems. The goal of the project is to 1) Improve governance of water resources and services, 2) increase sustainability of water service delivery, 3) Improve management, efficiency and equitable access to water used for productive purposes and 4) Improve collaboration and learning across stakeholders and strengthen the capacity of county governments for learning and adaptation

Job Summary:

The STAWI Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Specialist, will be responsible for overall leadership and gender integration into all STAWI components at all levels. Reporting to the DCoP STAWI, S/he will provide technical support, guide the STAWI project implementation and ensure all the project activities are inclusive and sensitive to gender. S/he will coordinate and engage with relevant government departments/agencies and key STAWI stakeholders to ensure gender integration and social inclusion in the water sector resources and governance. S/he will lead STAWI gender analysis and contribute to the design of gender sensitive STAWI interventions, and strategies to strengthen inclusive and sustainable water services for improved use of water within the agriculture and livestock market systems and value chains to empower women and youth and enhance their resilience

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership on gender-transformative approaches, gender integration and social inclusion within the water, agriculture and livestock sectors and value chains.
• Review and manage project-level gender and social inclusion strategies and make recommendations to strengthen them in pursuit of gender and social norm change and gender equality.
• Support the development of STAWI gender equity and social inclusion strategy and work plan, incorporating program-wide mainstreaming and targeted interventions as relevant
• Support improved collaboration and learning across stakeholders and strengthened capacity of county governments for learning and adaptation
• Lead the development and promotion of context-sensitive, culturally appropriate female empowerment, male engagement, and gender-transformative and inclusive approaches.
• Build the capacity of STAWI and GUCs staff to implement the gender strategy and through coaching, mentorship, advice, and the provision of relevant training
• Lead project-level gender and social inclusion work planning processes, providing subject matter expertise into gender activities at all activity levels including M&E framework and M&E plan
• Build capacity of the team, water, agriculture and livestock value chain actors, county governments and private sector, client groups in gender and social inclusion tools and approaches
• As necessary, participate or represent STAWI in donor or advisory group meetings where gender-related and social inclusion technical content is being discussed.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in gender and development studies or any other related field.
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in mainstreaming gender programs at national, sub-national/county, and community-levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience implementing gender and social inclusion into WASH, agriculture, livestock value chains preferably within Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL)
• Knowledge and experience working with gender tools for analysis, implementation, and measurement of empowerment solutions to address systemic challenges in access and control of opportunities, services, trainings, and finance.
• Significant knowledge and experience in inclusive finance and economic empowerment for women, and a willingness to play a leading role in designing and realizing a strategy aligned with STAWI objectives and CRS values.
• Significant experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative and trusted relationships with implementing partners, donors, private sector players and government counterparts
• Experience with conducting gender analyses, assessments and evaluations and other related research, including applying data collection tools and methodologies.
• Excellent understanding of gender and social dynamics in water, livestock, and agriculture sectors services preferably in Northern Kenya or similar livelihoods and geographic contexts.
• Must have highly developed project coordination and strategy development skills and experience supporting gender and social inclusion programs
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.

Personal Skills

• Strong relationship management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Capable of working in a dynamic, results oriented environment; ability to multi-task across various work streams/priorities.
• Team player with a positive attitude who can work independently while also being highly collaborative and open. Capable of building relationships and influencing the opinions of others.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Builds Relationships

• Develops Talent

• Strategic Mindset

• Accountability & Stewardship

Leadership and Management Competencies

• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality program activities

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English

Travel Required 30% of the time to targeted Northern and Southeastern Counties

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Water Technical Advisor, CLA Advisor, Country Representative, Head of Programming, Finance Manager, Regional Technical Advisors, STAWI Program team, Programming staff.

External: Donor,Private sector actors including financial institutions, government agencies/officials, Local/international NGOs, and UN agencies operating in the project area.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.