Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist at Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FAcE-PaM)

Job Purpose

• The Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist is a critical role within The Empower Project. The position is responsible for ensuring the integration of gender equity and social inclusion principles across all aspects of the project. 
• This includes strategic leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating WASH programs that address the structural and systemic barriers to equitable access for marginalised and vulnerable populations. 
• The Specialist will provide technical expertise to strengthen the team’s capacity to deliver gender-responsive and socially inclusive programming. 
• This involves developing and operationalizing tools, frameworks, and standards that embed GESI considerations into program planning, delivery, and monitoring. 
• The role requires an in-depth understanding of intersectional issues, including gender inequality, disability inclusion, and social marginalization, particularly in the context of WASH services. 
• The Specialist will lead efforts to identify and address these barriers, ensuring that all interventions are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with global best practices and WaterAid’s global strategy.
• In addition to programmatic responsibilities, the GESI Specialist will play a pivotal role in influencing and advocacy efforts. 
• This includes engaging with policymakers, development partners, and civil society organizations to promote the adoption of gender-transformative and socially inclusive policies and practices within the WASH sector. 
• The Specialist will provide thought leadership in advancing gender equality and social inclusion, positioning WaterAid Nigeria as a sector leader and a trusted partner in achieving sustainable and inclusive WASH outcomes. 
• The role also encompasses a strong focus on learning and evidence generation. 
• The GESI Specialist will lead the documentation of best practices, case studies, and lessons learned, ensuring that WaterAid Nigeria’s experiences contribute to national and global knowledge on gender and social inclusion in WASH. The Specialist will oversee impact assessments and knowledge-sharing.

Accountabilities

• The GESI Specialist is expected to lead in determining the technical objectives relating to Gender and Social Inclusion and how they are delivered and achieved. 
• They are held accountable for the integrity and effective delivery of the technical advice and services.
• They are seen as a thematic authority and are expected to effectively handle the most challenging technical assignments. With a strong understanding of organisational approaches, dynamics and ways of working, they are expected to bridge gaps and siloes, proactively establishing and maintaining relationships with colleagues across WaterAid and beyond and facilitating joined-up and comprehensive efforts to advance WaterAid’s programming globally.
• To promote education among vulnerable children, adolescents and youths in states of operation as an enabling right and an instrument of empowerment.
• To empower citizens in the North-East/West geopolitical Zones of Nigeria to eradicate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, access quality water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and promote sustainable agriculture.
• To advocate for and provide services that will lead to eradication of poverty especially among vulnerable women in the North-East/west
• To engage in peace building and conflict management with a view to promote peace and harmony and violent free elections.
• To collaborate with individuals, organizations, networks and coalitions that will help in achieving improved access to quality healthcare for women and children.
• To contribute to the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
• To facilitate the demand for portable adequate water and quality sustainable sanitation and hygiene services.

Programme and Projects Development:

• Provide technical guidance, resources, and tools on integrating gender and inclusion in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Project activities.
• Conduct gender analyses and assessments to identify gender gaps and develop
• strategies for addressing them.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of gender equality
• policies, guidelines, and frameworks.
• Design and deliver training programs and workshops to enhance staff and stakeholder understanding of gender issues.
• Conduct research on gender-related topics, analyze data, and generate evidence
• to inform decision-making.
• Stay up to date with current trends, best practices, and emerging issues in the field of gender equality.
• Provide regular reports on gender-related indicators and recommend corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with the Business Development Unit (BDU) to support the design,
• writing, and review of proposals, ensuring the integration of gender and inclusion.
• Contribute to the design, writing, and review of proposals.
• Conduct reconnaissance trips for upcoming proposals to meet with funding
• agencies, government officials, and potential partner organizations.

Programme Learning and Influencing:

• Develop technical guides and briefs to support resilient WASH programming and
• policy influencing the project.
• Prepare high-quality reports, technical resources, and other products and
• deliverables on topics related to gender and inclusive development, and monitoring, Accountabilities evaluation, and learning (MEL).
• Support documentation of best practices and innovations for the Project to contribute to cross learning in the region
• Develop and implement gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of interventions and track progress towards gender equality goals.
• Support the development of gender-sensitive tools and resources to facilitate
• knowledge sharing and learning. Planning & Budget management
• Collaborate with relevant teams to ensure financial resources are effectively
• managed for gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) components of
• programmes.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual budgets, incorporating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) priorities.
• Monitor and track budgets related to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)
• activities to ensure alignment with project goals and donor requirements.
• Manage grants and funding related to gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)
• initiatives, ensuring compliance with donor and organizational guidelines.

Sector engagement and networking:

• Represent FAcE-PaM in national forums, networks, and working groups focused on gender equality, social inclusion, and WASH.
• Support as part of collective engagement, advocacy initiatives for cross-sectoral
• linkages between GESI, disaster mitigation, and risk reduction efforts.
• Build and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders, including
• government agencies, CSOs, donors, and academic institutions, to advance gender and inclusion goals within the WASH sector.

Requirements

• Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree / HND qualifications with 3 years of experience.