Gender Influencing Officer at Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN)

Role Purpose and Scope:

The Gender Officer is responsible for promoting and ensuring gender equality, equity, and inclusivity within an organization, community, or project. This role involves developing and implementing gender-responsive strategies, programs, and policies to address gender-based disparities and promote the empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls.

Duties and Key Responsibilities:

Gender Mainstreaming & Policy Development and Implementation::

• Integrate gender considerations into all aspects of an organization's policies, programs, and projects.
• Assess and identify gender-specific challenges and opportunities within the organization's scope.
• Develop and update gender policies and action plans in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with national and international gender-related laws and regulations.

Capacity Building:

• Conduct training sessions and workshops to build awareness and capacity on gender-related issues for staff and stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and support to colleagues on gender-sensitive approaches and best practices.

Gender Analysis and Research:

• Conduct gender assessments and research to inform program development and evaluation.
• Collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data to identify trends and gaps.

Advocacy and Collaboration:

• Collaborate with external organizations, NGOs, and government agencies to advocate for gender equality.
• Represent the organization in gender-related forums and networks.

Gender-Based Violence Prevention:

• Develop and implement strategies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence within the organization or community.
• Support survivors of gender-based violence with resources and referrals.

Gender-Sensitive Programming & Community Engagement:

• Design and implement gender-responsive programs and initiatives to address specific gender-related challenges.
• Ensure that project activities are inclusive and accessible to all genders.
• Work closely with State & local communities to identify their gender-related needs and priorities.
• Facilitate community dialogues and consultations on gender issues.

Resource Mobilization

• Identify funding opportunities and assist in the development of proposals and budgets for gender-focused projects.
• Ensure that gender equality is mainstreamed into funding proposals.

Working Relationship:

• Work closely with the State Coordinating unit to effective deliver project intervention activities.
• Work in close supervisor of the State Coordinator in delivery project result and external interaction with State and non-State actors
• Work closely with project coordinator to ensure that the implementation of relevant activities are planned and implemented in a phased and prioritized manner in full consultation and coordination with all relevant agencies both Government, CSO and other Stakeholders.
• Work with the Project Finance/Admin Officer and Project Team to ensure that all financial activities conducted in each community are properly documented in line with GIZ’s policies and procedures.
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as requested by Line Manager

Essential Criteria:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Gender Studies, Women's Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field with at least 3 years’ experience
• Proven experience in gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and gender-responsive programming.
• Demonstrates excellent project management skills to agreed timescales (timelines, targets, donor requirements).
• Excellent training and facilitation skills with a wide variety of groups having diverse experiences, backgrounds, skills, and education levels
• Experience in handling grants to local groups, ensuring appropriate basic documentation and accountability at the community/field level.
• Excellent verbal communication and listening skills.
• Language Requirements: Spoken English-Excellent; Written English-Good (ability to type and prepare reports and other documents as needed.)
• Must be able to speak at least one local language predominant in that state
• Strong understanding of gender-related laws and international conventions.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis.
• Sensitivity to cultural and social differences and a commitment to gender equality and social justice.

Desirable Criteria:

• Involvement in Agricultural value chain projects, and/or those involving small scale farmers, especially those with rural financing components and/or interventions.
• Experience in engaging directly with IDPs, Returnees, Host community members, People living with disabilities, vulnerable groups and state and local governance structures,
• facilitating women activities and/or facilitating Citizen’s participation in townhall meeting, policy dialogues, discussion etc.
• Involvement in projects and/or initiatives that address issues of power imbalance, diversity, exclusion, participation, and gender.
• Experience understanding Community development planning techniques.
• Ability to multi-task, engage in long-term planning, meet deadlines, and handles last-minute demands; exercise patience, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Level of IT Expertise: Good (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)