World Vision (WV) has recently been awarded a multi-million EUR grant from the European Union (EU) to lead a consortium of partners to implement their Accelerating Health Agriculture and Nutrition (AHAN) project under pillar three of the EU’s Partnership for Improved Nutrition in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). Consortium partners include World Vision Australia (lead) with 4 implementing partners: World Vision Laos, Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontière (AVSF), Green Community Development Association (GCDA) and the Burnet Institute.
Commencing on the 1st of October 2017, this 48 month project has the overall objective of creating supportive conditions for enhanced household (HH) nutrition through the following specific objectives:
1) Improved access to and availability of sufficient and/or diverse foods year round; 2) Improved dietary and care practices among Women of Reproductive Age and children under 5; 3) Reduced incidence of selected Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Gender) related diseases/illnesses linked to undernutrition; 4) Improved gender equitable relations at the HH level, particularly in decision-making and distribution of workload; and 5) Strengthened multi-sector coordination and support for nutrition. The project will be implemented across three provinces and 12 districts of Lao PDR.
Responsible for technical support and leadership for all gender-related activities (Outcome 4). The Gender Advisor will also coordinate with other sector leads to ensure gender-sensitive programming is being addressed across all project activities.
The Gender Advisor is responsible to conduct the project´s activities as described in the project and enforce them in term of verifiable impact, appropriateness, efficiency, effectiveness, coverage, coherence, sustainability and contextual transversal issues.
- Conduct participatory gender analysis to understand the different roles and norms for women, men, girls, boys; the different level of power that they have in the household and in their communities; the different needs, constraints and opportunities of each group; and the impact of these differences in their lives within the context of the project.
- Adapt WV’s Community Change for Social Action (C-Change) approach and curriculum to address harmful gender roles and relations
- Train, support and mentor influential community leaders to implement C-Change
- Identify & distribute women’s labour saving technologies to women based on participatory gender analysis and community-identified priorities
- Monitor and evaluate project outputs and outcomes using a gender responsive framework
- Ensure disability inclusion in the AHAN project
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Leadership of all Economic Development activities - Plan, direct and implement with operation team all aspects of project implementation related to Economic Development activities, including ensuring that all Partners meet their obligations under the project, and meet WV and EU compliance standards.
- Collaboration and Coordination - Manage proactive and responsive relationship with Project Partners, Government stakeholders, and other partners in the field, under the direction of the Technical Team Lead (Multisector)
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communication - Establish and maintain effective project reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and communication systems. Submit timely accurate and professional reports that meet donor and WV requirements
- Financial management - Manage project budget within approved spending levels and ensure accurate and timely financial reports to WVA, who then submits to the donor.
- Learning Evidence - Consistently look for more effective and efficient implementation methods and opportunities to increase impact. Facilitate learning of best practice by ensuring a continuous learning process is developed and in place with key staff and partners/sub-grantees.
- Networking and Advocacy - Ensure WV is taking a lead role in Gender in the area of implementation, including seeking cooperation for joint advocacy opportunities
- Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Science, Gender Studies or similar field with experience in the management of gender or women’s empowerment programs in Lao context.
- Post Graduate studies in a relevant discipline related to Gender is desirable
- Knowledge of current best practice in gender equality and experience integrating this into programs in developing country contexts
- Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience in gender and women’s empowerment with proven, in-depth understanding of key challenges and opportunities in gender within the domains of agriculture, nutrition and health. Understanding of and experience in conducting gender analysis using participatory methodologies
- Knowledge of development work, including program logic, theory of change, and community empowerment.
- Good understanding of Lao Government policies, laws, and institutions on gender and ability to work together with various stakeholders.
- Ability to identify and plan work strategically and to work to deadlines.
- Excellent management and administrative skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, supportively, and respectfully with others
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Lao.
- Ability to train others, ability to provide technical guidance and support to operation staff.
- Possess strong organizational, IT, and writing skills.
- Ability to function efficiently and effectively with little day-to-day supervision.
- Willingness to travel to the districts and villages on a frequent basis.