Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor
Maseru, Lesotho
Fixed term appointment (two years)
About Sonke Gender Justice: Founded in 2006, Sonke is a women’s rights that is committed to feminist principles, using a rights-based and gender-transformative approach to achieve human rights and gender justice. Our vision is a poverty-free world in which women, children, men, and gender non-conforming individuals enjoy equitable, caring, healthy, and happy relationships that contribute to the development of gender-just and democratic societies. Sonke strengthens governments, civil society, and citizens’ capacity to advance gender justice and women’s rights, prevent gender-based violence, and reduce the spread of HIV and the impact of AIDS, and in this way contribute to social justice and the elimination of poverty. (http://www.genderjustice.org.za/)
About CSM STAND Consortium: In September 2021, Pact was awarded the five-year Civil Society and Media – Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) for Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program by USAID. The Regional Leader with Associates Award (LWA) aims to foster independent civic forces; enhance civic engagement; and build vibrant, resilient, and self-reliant civil society and media sectors that cultivate more pluralistic, democratic societies. To reach this goal, CSM-STAND designs and implements innovative and adaptive civil society and media programs, advances trans-regional learning, and develops next-generation, sustainable technical resources that positively influence wider practice within the civil society and media sectors. The CSM-STAND consortium is comprised of leading global, regional, and technical partners with extensive practical experience and knowledge of fundamental principles, key issues, current practices, and emerging trends in the DRG community.
About the position: In partnership with Pact under the CSM – STAND, Sonke Gender Justice is seeking to employ the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor/ Social Behaviour Change Lead to be based in Maseru/Lesotho on a two-year USAID Khutlo Activity. Khutlo aims to contribute to reducing stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ communities, as well as cishet women and girls, and strengthening the capacity of civil society to advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and provide inclusive quality gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, mitigation, and response services. This goal is underpinned by two mutually reinforcing objectives, namely,
- To increase civil society coordination and capacities to apply behavioural science principles that engage and empower communities to reduce GBV against LGBTQI+ people and cishet women and girls and
- To strengthen the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) to provide inclusive, high-quality GBV response services.
Key duties and responsibilities
- Support the Integration of GESI into USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity project and Associate Awards.
- Facilitate Stakeholder engagement and management.
- Conduct capacity building and training of staff and partners.
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to Khutlo Lesotho staff and implementing partnersProvide guidance to USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity and the implementing sub-grantees on integrating GESI/DEI in programme design, implementation, and monitoring.
- Lead implementation of an Integrated Development Strategy for the Lesotho Associate Award to ensure adequate planning and implementation of GESI/DEI programming.
- Monitor and support the implementation of the Integrated Development Strategy throughout the lifecycle of the USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity.
- Support the Research, Monitoring evaluation, and Learning.
- Develop/Adapt the safeguarding approach for the USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity.
- Attend, give input on and coordinate the GESI/DEI components for USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity stakeholders, partners and sub-grantees.
- Work with the Sonke GESI Advisors/Specialist and RMEL Specialist to develop, curate and support a Community of Practice around GESI/DEI in Lesotho.
- Support the Sonke GESI Advisors in tracking the effective implementation of the Integrated Development Strategy, safeguarding approach and related activities.
- Represent Sonke as the GESI/DEI expert on related USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activities, including giving input on technical strategies, the learning agenda and public event.
- Help identify GESI-related gaps in the USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity and in the works of sub-grantees.
- Participate and present in the CSM STAND GESI community of Practice
- Build a Lesotho GESI Community of Practice for partners and sub-grantees.
- Identify GESI-specific learning priorities and actively engage in shared learning around GESI-related themes.
- Craft GESI-sensitive learning agenda questions, action plans, and methods for USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity, partners and sub-grantees, in close coordination with the RMEL Specialist and Sonke GESI Advisors, ensuring that USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity prioritizes meaningful mainstreaming of diversity and inclusion across the learning activities of sub-grantees.
- Establish GESI focal points across USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity sub-grantees.
- Support the technical capacity building of USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity on GESI/DEI work.
- Develop/Adopt training and learning materials related to GESI/DEI and its interface with Sonke’s existing materials e.g. One Man Can, Gender Transformation, Safeguarding etc.
- Implement quarterly/bi-annual training on GESI and support the learning of the USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity in the field, including providing updates on trends and developments in GESI/DEI work
- Give input as needed on GESI/DEI for the full management team to support effective GESI-transformative programming of USAID/Lesotho Khutlo Activity.
Qualifications and experience
- An advanced degree in a relevant field, including at least an Honours in social sciences, with a preference for gender studies as a core subject. Studies should have provided a strong grounding in gender, social justice, sociology, political science, public health, and/or human rights. A Master of Public Health will be an added advantage
- At least 5 years of proven experience in civil society, with a focus on enhancing gender equality, social inclusion, and diversity outcomes on projects (especially through applying intersectional feminism to diversity and inclusion work with a focus on LGBTIQ+ rights, race, class, ethnic and migration)
- At least 1-2 years of proven experience of efficiently supporting GESI/DEI work on bilateral-funded project, with a preference for direct experience with USAID.
- Experience in feminist thought and praxis, with demonstrated commitment to principles of feminism and feminist leadership.
- Experience of working with multiple internal and external stakeholders – experience of working with community-based stakeholders and added advantage.
- Significant experience with at least two of the following technical areas, i.e. gender justice, diversity and inclusion, health and human rights.
- Must be willing to travel at least 20-30% of the time.
Desired Interpersonal Skills
- Must be a persuasive communicator with excellent writing, editing and public speaking skills in English and Sesotho.
- Proven ability to excel as a collegial member of a diverse team and in working in a multicultural cross-continental working environment;
- Excellent diplomatic and problem-solving abilities, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and the ability to engage in and contribute to on-going socio-political debates.
- Must be discrete and able to handle confidential matters with integrity.
- Must have well-developed emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, self-management and empathy.
- Attention to detail and the ability to prioritize work and manage deadlines.
Application Process
- Interested applicants should submit their CV, a motivational letter that details your experience, the contact details of three referees, to Sonke’s Human Resource Unit at hiring@genderjustice.org.za closing date 25th June 2023.
- For non-Lesotho citizens, it is the responsibility of the applicant to attain a work permit from the relevant authorities, and employment will depend on a valid work permit being in place.
- Sonke is committed to racial and gender transformation and encourages previously disadvantaged individuals to apply.
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us by 31 July 2023, please consider your application unsuccessful.
- The organisation reserves the right not to make an appointment.