Women's Economic Empowerment Director at Palladium International

Responsibilities

•  Assume overall charge of the WEE component of KIM and provide overall strategic direction and technical oversight across all project results relating to gender
•  Lead efforts to identify and overcome gender and social inclusion barriers in investment opportunities in the agricultural sector and be responsible for leading gender and social inclusion assessments, overseeing the development of a Gender Opportunity Facility Action Plan, and mainstreaming gender considerations in project activities.
•  In close coordination with the Deputy Chief of Party, and the Finance and Operations Director, coordinate and monitor the responsibilities of all program services (administration, finance, and compliance) activities to ensure that project progress is achieving its goals, objectives and deliverables and is delivered with quality, on time and on budget.
•  Lead the design and implementation of a Gender strategy
•  Provide cross-cutting leadership across both project components in identifying gender issues within programs and developing strategies for strengthening the integration of gender lens across all activities
•  Build staff capacity on the application of a gender lens though the duration of the project
•  Develop innovative approaches to advancing gender equity, promoting inclusive development, and preventing and addressing gender gaps.
•  Lead and/or support gender opportunity assessment processes, including study design, execution with the benchmarking tool, strategy workshops, data collection and data analysis.
•  Provide ongoing technical support for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs with gender-focused outcomes
•  Lead oversight and management into the development and implementation of work plans (with budgets, staffing and timelines for the activities); strategically organizing the work of the project personnel; overseeing and managing deliverables conforming to donors’ requirements and deadlines, including technical reports, progress reports, and project final reports, and the achievements of other specified project technical requirements.
•  Monitor project performance against work plan objectives with all project domain areas.
•  Oversee regular documentation of the methodology and outcomes of the project for dissemination.
•  Work closely with Monitoring and Evaluations Manager and Communications Director to ensure project communications and results reflect inclusive development priorities, particularly with a focus on gender and diversity.
•  Lead role in developing and maintaining good working relationships with program donors and stakeholders.
•  Collaborate with the USAID’s KIM technical team and stakeholders (FIs, BASPs and enterprises), and facilitate organized forums designed to foster gender, diversity, and social inclusion.
•  Other duties as assigned

Required Experience and Qualifications

•  Master’s degree in International Development, Gender Studies, Law, or a related field from an accredited university.
•  At least ten (10) years of experience in MSME finance, gender lens investing, and women’s entrepreneurship programming.
•  Proven expertise in gender and social inclusion, and gender-focused analysis.
•  Proven track record engaging with commercial banks to design and roll out products and services targeting women. Experience developing products and services for W-SMEs preferred.
•  Experience designing and implementing gender-related trainings and workshops related to finance and investment.
•  Excellent writing and editing skills with an ability to tailor the tone, content and form of written output in line with a range of different audiences and to suit a variety of formats.
•  Strong leadership, strategic planning, management and supervisory skills; achieving results and meeting deadlines.
•  Proven success in dealing with complicated program partnerships and skills in prioritizing major strategies and critical relationships.
•  Good knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodology and analysis.
•  Proficient computer skills with ability to utilize various software including MS project.
•  Demonstrated problem solving and diplomatic skills.
•  Proven sound judgment and decision-making skills.
•  Demonstrated ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
•  Demonstrated familiarity with the Kenyan financial sector.
•  Fluency in written and spoken English.