CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.
IFDC is recruiting for two anticipated projects related to Highland Farming Systems and Climate Smart Jobs in Uganda expected to start in early/mid 2022 - 2026. The proposed projects will work with over 100,000 beneficiaries in the highland areas of the three regions of Elgon, Kigezi, and Rwenzori, in northern Uganda and in other areas relevant to agricultural production and processing of project supported crops.
The proposed project aims to achieve the following main impacts:
- Food security and dietary diversity improved for rural households in the Ugandan highlands, Northern Uganda and other productive regions of the country
- Ugandan smallholder farming households obtain a living income and are sustainably economically resilient
- Eco-efficient farming, making sustainable use of and protecting natural resources
- The agriculture sector offers resource-constrained households a pathway out of poverty
- Creation of jobs and economic opportunities for rural and urban populations with a focus on women, youth and socially and economically disadvantaged persons
IFDC is to recruit a qualified individual to fill the position of Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Advisor for this project, to be based in Kampala or one of the field offices.
POSITION SUMMARY
The person will lead the integration of gender and youth transformative and socially inclusive programming elements in accordance with global best practice, donor and IDFC’s requirements. The Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Advisor participates in strategy, program implementation, program monitoring, and evaluation in relation to gender, youth and social inclusion integration in all project activities. This includes capacity building and technical assistance to government, private partners, civil society and community stakeholders.
This position works closely with the Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion specialists of other consortium partners and provides leadership, guidance and technical support to the project, in designing, implementing and documenting GYSI focused programming.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Elaborate a gender and youth strategy for the project based on finding from the gender, youth assessments conducted during inception phase, oversee the implementation of these strategies and adapt and improve them as needed.
- Develop specific, actionable gender and youth strategies for each result area in the four result areas.
- Work closely with Project and Deputy Project Managers in integrating the findings from the gender/youth assessment into the project’s work plan and milestones.
- Conduct gender-based violence risk analysis and incorporate findings into program implementation plan.
- Collaborate with management and field teams to integrate gender and youth throughout the project.
- Lead in development and refinement of a project gender and youth strategy and integration plan.
- Assess gender and youth dynamics in the selected value chains in coordination with project staff and sector specialists, addressing barriers to improving participation of youth and women.
- Provide support in the development of operational manuals to ensure gender and youth equity and sensitivity in manual content and presentation.
- Oversee the implementation of the Gender Action Plan at field level with the various value chain actors including Farmer Groups, Farmer Business Groups, households.
- Collaborate with local women’s groups, gender-focused organizations, youth-focused organizations and other groups implementing similar gender- and youth-related activities in similar areas
- Participate in gender-related meetings with the donor, stakeholders, government officials, and implementing partners.
- Work closely with technical staff to design and implement activities that strengthen women’s and youth access to finance, training and other resources, such as land.
- Formulate strategies, activities, and messages for communicating the business case for investing in women and youth enterprises.
- Propose indicators and data collection methods for tracking changes in women’s and youth’s empowerment, gender dynamics, and gender inequality gaps that integrate into the projects MIS.
- Develop relationships and linkages with organizations implementing other donor-funded programs focused on gender and youth in South Sudan
- Conduct regular community consultations to ensure the project adaptively remains gender and youth sensitive and on-track.
- Collect and share learnings and best practices
- Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, donor, local governments and other stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively to ensure overall GYSI project targets and donor obligations are continuously met.
- Develop targeted gender and youth capacity building interventions to promote integration with project staff.
- Support project team in the development and delivery of training and capacity building on key gender and youth topics to project participants.
SUPERVISION AND TEAM COLLABORATION
The Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Advisor is supervised by and reports to the project manager. She/ he works in close collaboration with project colleagues, other IFDC staff and colleagues from other project consortium members.
POSITION AND DUTY STATION
The Gender, Youth and Social Inclusion Advisor is a national position with a duty in the IFDC offices in Kampala or one of the field offices.
The position requires intensive travels (up to 50% of the time) in target regions in Uganda and may require some international travel to other IFDC countries.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
This is a senior position that requires highly motivated and self-driven individuals with the following qualifications;
- Master’s degree in international development, gender, behavioural economics, agronomy, sociology, or other related disciplines.
- At least 3 years of experience in a similar or related position – demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in gender development, particularly as it relates to food security, agricultural value chains/market systems, climate change, rural households development, and nutrition integrated agriculture.
- Demonstrated success in implementing gender integration, youth and social inclusion strategies and activities in the context of providing advisory services or implementing gender interventions in an agriculture project or program context
- Substantial knowledge of good practices in developing gender integration strategies and interventions, mainstreaming gender in institutions and in projects
- Knowledge and experience in designing and implementing Women and youth Economic empowerment interventions
- Experience in gender related national strategies and policy reviews, analysis, and application
- Must be a self-directed, highly organized person who can effectively prioritize and follow through on multiple initiatives simultaneously
- Strong communication skills, specifically strong verbal communication skills in English including excellent report writing skills
- Ability to conduct training and capacity building to staff and implementing partners on gender equality, women inclusion integration
- Experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as conducting field- based assessments
- Excellent analytical and technical skills and expertise with the ability to work independently
- Knowledge of the Africa national community development and gender policies is an advantage.
- Familiarity with Women’s Economic and Opportunities for Youth Empowerment (WEE/OYE) or similar frameworks.
- Demonstrated capacity to lead the collection, analysis and utilization of information from a broad range of sources to ensure effective integration of gender and youth concerns throughout the project’s duration.
- In-depth understanding of gender, age and other socio-cultural factors in the context of Agri business programming.
- Ability to foster commitment and build capacity among project staff and in-country actors around gender and youth integration.
- ability to communicate in a second/third national language would be an advantage;
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in small audience and large audience settings.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
This position is open to qualified Uganda national applicants only.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application through the provided link. Applications will remain open until filled.
Required Skills
Required Experience