Project Officer - Gender at Catholic Relief

 

Job Summary:**

Reporting to the Gender Advisor, the Project Officer (PO) Gender will be responsible for ensuring MWENDO LIPs implementation is gender-responsive and transformative. S/he will participate in a Gender Analysis for understanding gender barriers related to the project, identify gender inequities and assess their impact, and identify how project interventions are likely to affect or be affected by gender norms and power relations between the sexes.

The PO Gender will oversee gender training for relevant project staff, partners and conduct a baseline gender analysis and track gender-specific, sex-disaggregated indicators. S/he will assist all project partners to effectively implement strategies to ensure that gender approaches are mainstreamed into all project interventions. S/he will provide monitoring and technical backstopping to field staff to help address barriers to implementing the gender strategy.

Specific Responsibilities:**

Coordination

· Advise and support the Mwendo project on the implementation of the agency Gender Policy

· Spearhead the implementation of the CRS Gender Policy

· Ensure mainstreaming of gender, including systematic age and gender analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting, on specific gender issues

· Promote implementation of targeted actions aiming to achieve gender outcomes

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

· Support in mainstreaming gender into needs assessment frameworks including adaptation of tools, collection, analysis and reporting processes to ensure that different beneficiary needs are identified, met and that equal opportunities are given.

· Support detailed gender analysis during the project implementation.

· Participate in Gender norms assessment and analysis and inform programming

· Ensure gender based indicators are covered in the CRS/project MEAL system.

· Review OVC reports and ensure they capture required level of gender disaggregated data and gender specific success stories.

· Assist the Gender Advisor in supporting programming staff in incorporating gender issues in project MEAL systems (performance questions, indicators, sampling methods, procedures, etc.). Assist in gender sensitive participatory planning and support implementation.

· Arrange for the dissemination of information from MEAL data on the degree to which gender related objectives are being achieved and on the gender differentiated impact of the MWENDO project.

· Coordinate with the COP and the STA OVC on the inclusion of gender learning agenda as part of CRS Kenya staff’s annual Learning and Development Plans.

Partnership

· Take lead in providing technical support to local implementing partners (LIPs) in developing effective gender focused project strategies.

· Assist partner staff to communicate information from the field to the appropriate decision-making forum on the level of gender integration in activities undertaken in all components, processes and impacts.

· Provide support, coaching, mentoring and technical guidance to partner gender officers.

Capacity Building and Supervision

· Support relevant training and learning opportunities for partner staff to advance knowledge and skills in gender and youth.,

· Support the development and implementation of trainings on gender mainstreaming, gender analysis, gender marker, women’s empowerment, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and other related subjects for CRS staff and partners.

· Implement capacity building plans and strategies for LIPs.

Representation

· Represent CRS and participate in relevant fora, conferences and trainings aimed at strengthening public and policy advocacy for gender county and cluster levels.

· Contribute to gender knowledge networks through identification of best practices and lessons learned.

· Support advocacy for the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

· Support the development of gender related advocacy messages.

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.

• Serves with Integrity

• Models Stewardship

• Cultivates Constructive Relationships

• Promotes Learning

Competencies Relevant for the Specific Position:

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by the PO Gender to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

· A broad grasp of socioeconomic policy issues with respect to Gender, OVC and HIV/AIDS in both rural and urban settings;

· Detailed understanding and experience of gender and diversity issues and commitment to addressing inequalities in all the key areas of responsibility;

· Experience working with government line ministries, private sector partners, civil society, donors, and local communities;

· Training/coaching skills;

· Supervision skills;

· Understanding of development/relief issues;

· Commitment to humanitarian principles and action;

· Strategic thinking and vision.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):

None

Key Working Relationships:**

Internal: The PO Gender is a key member of the MWENDO project technical team. S/he will report to the Gender Advisor, and collaborate with other technical staff to ensure a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive project.

External: Key functions include representing CRS in various forums and forging relations with the GOK, IPs, other stakeholders, and the community. The PO Gender will ensure the CRS mandate of skills building, mentorship and skills transfer are implemented.

Required Qualifications and Experience:**

Education

• Master’s degree with 3 years or a degree holder with 5 years solid experience in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, gender, international development, development economics or another related field

Knowledge

• 3-5 years solid progressively responsible professional work experience in gender, and dealing with human rights and/or gender-based violence
• In-depth knowledge of gender, gender-based violence, humanitarian policy issues, and its linkage with OVC
• Solid analytical, writing skills, and communication skills (including developing advocacy messages)
• Sound knowledge and skills in training and facilitation
• Experience in the development of strategic and tactical plans in collaboration with others (stakeholders) who may represent a wide range of interests and needs
• Strong knowledge of the health and social service sector in Kenya
• Proven collegial and cooperative approach to management and decision-making
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with counterparts in other agencies and organizations
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks
• Recent experience working in international implementing organizations

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in implementing donor-funded projects
• Demonstrated ability motivate and inspire teamwork among diverse partners, without direct supervisory responsibilities
• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through, training, mentorship and accompaniment
• Demonstrated ability to work with and in teams
• Excellent written, oral communication
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office)
• Demonstrated ability foster integration in programming approach
• Excellent understanding of GOK, and CRS operating procedures

· Strong conceptual and analytical skills

· Ability to think innovatively and strategically

Required Foreign Language:**

None