Gender and Inclusion Officer

Overview / Objectives of the position:

The Gender and Inclusion Officer will directly support the UNICEF WASH and Livelihoods Teams in the development, administration, and implementation of the mainstreaming of gender, inclusion and protection across the project, daily. Working in collaboration with the Gender and Protection leads providing technical backstopping, the Gender and Inclusion Officer will be responsible for conducting assessments to identify specific barriers that inhibit community members from participating in programs, identifying risks may impeded on effective delivery of the programs, accompanying frontline staff through this process which includes the engagement of persons with specific needs, raising the awareness of all relevant stakeholders of the results of the process, and proposing actions for the next phase of the process. He/she will provide technical leadership to ensure gender equality, equity and inclusion of marginalized groups throughout the project cycle management.

Main responsibilities:

• Support implementation of the Gender and Protection Strategy for GOAL Zimbabwe
• Through technical support from the Gender and Protection Leads, the Gender and Inclusion Officer will:
• Lead all mainstreaming activities including gender analysis, gender equality and social inclusion, safeguarding and protection workplan development, protection mapping, gender and safety audits linking it with GOAL key priorities.
• Support the delivery of trainings on safeguarding, gender equality and social inclusion and protection for stakeholders as well as GOAL staff.
• Lead on implementation of risk assessments, Gender and Protection Analysis, Gender and Safety Audits.
• Maintain up to date information about WASH and Livelihoods specific inclusion activities, lessons learned, case studies, and related topics, following guidance from the WASH and Livelihoods Managers.
• Adapt generic barrier assessment tools to the facilities including their management, technical and operational teams’ knowledge and practices regarding persons with specific needs
• Perform specific WASH-related barrier assessments starting with desk review of existing tools and policies.
• Ensure the engagement of persons with physical and functional limitations and their families in the identification and analysis of barriers that block access to WASH facilities and programs through focus group discussions and key informant interviews
• Ensure the engagement of communities in the analysis of decision making, access, control and ownership of resources in the Livelihoods sector.
• Develop action plans detailing interventions required to improve accessibility and inclusion into GOAL’ programming.
• Accompany frontline staff to develop targeted community awareness activities aimed at increasing fact-based analysis and awareness of the challenges to inclusion and equal access to WASH services.
• Following the results of the assessments mentioned above, in cooperation with the WASH Manager, increase the understanding of frontline staff and communities of the specific challenges faced by persons with physical and functional limitations when accessing WASH facilities and programs through awareness raising activities which include pre-test, activity and post-test
• Design and execute simulation exercises and practical experiences to raise awareness of key stakeholders of the challenges faced by persons with specific needs
• Ensure the continuous adaptation of awareness raising messages and activities following feedback and lessons learned
• Ensure the engagement of persons with physical and functional limitations and their families in the implementation of awareness-raising activities
• Participatory assessment reports  will be produced, detailing results of data review, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations, reports will highlight views of persons with specific needs
• Report any problem or constraints and propose solutions for improvement to your line and technical supervisors
• Participate and represent GOAL in assigned Safeguarding and protection forums or coordination platforms with likeminded institutions, highlighting GOAL’s work with other stakeholders and identify possible networking opportunities for GOAL.

Requirements: Technical & Functional skills

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Social work, Social Sciences, or related field
• At least 3 years of experience in the same/similar role in another organization.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in protection monitoring and responses for beneficiaries, and host communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in addressing gender disparities and working with women, children, specific needs groups and case management programs.
• Expertise in psychosocial support, child protection & GBV protection principles desirable.

Desirables

• Good organizational skills and capacity to work independently, if necessary and/or required.
• Integrity, professionalism and expertise in processing reports and questionnaires.
• Ability to understand the cultural context of the community, local languages - Ndebele and Kalanga, and use that culture as an input for community mobilization and engagements.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels.
• Ability to perform duties with minimum or no supervision.

GOAL Competencies

• Adaptability &Flexibility
• Accountability & Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Communication
• Creative & Innovative Thinking

Other requirements

• Ethics & Integrity
• Flexibility
• Influencing Others
• Interpersonal Skills
• Planning & Organising
• Problem Solving

Accountability within GOAL

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:
• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Safeguarding

• Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Please note that applications received outside the stated channels will be disqualified

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