Gender Specialist – Cooperative Development Foundation of Canada

Job Description

Formed in 1947, the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada) has focused its efforts on advancing self-reliant, member-owned co-operatives on a global scale. The strength of CDF Canada is grounded in its mission – Acting on Co-operative principles, we partner with communities to achieve sustainable economic and social development – and is at the heart of all strategic activities the organization undertakes. Inclusivity is at the heart of what we do! We recognize the immense value that different experiences and perspectives bring to our organization.

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The Gender Specialist is focused on developing and integrating gender equality and women’s economic empowerment strategies into the IAAM project. The Gender Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and tools to engage target audiences and ensuring that gender issues are addressed throughout the project cycle. The Gender Specialist provides technical support on gender equality, guides the mainstreaming of gender equality into program design, and supports gender-responsive capacity development by conducting gender-based analysis, gender capacity assessment, developing the gender equality strategy (GES) and supporting research. The Specialist works closely with the Country Manager and provides support to country-level Gender Officers, staff and partners to ensure that gender equality is strengthened across all areas of project implementation. The Specialist also collaborates with CDF Canada’s HQ Gender Specialist to ensure project gender analyses and strategies adhere to and inform CDF Canada’s overall approach to gender mainstreaming.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Support (50%)

• Leads the mainstreaming of gender equality in project design and implementation, including conducting gender-based analysis, gender capacity assessment, and developing the project’s Gender Equality Strategy (GES).
• Coordinates the implementation of specific gender-transformational approaches with field staff and project partners, including, but not limited to, the SASA! community mobilization approach and Social Behaviour Change Communication to strengthen sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in select project districts.
• Collaborates with field staff and partners to support project participants and ensure women and girls’ equitable access to resources, promoting their participation and decision-making through project activities.
• Guides and advises the Country Manager, gender officers, and staff on the development and deployment of tools, including—but not limited to—developing context-specific gender strategies to increase women’s and girls’ participation and/or remove existing barriers and create equitable participation in project activities.
• Develops methodologies and plans to promote positive masculinity and to engage men and boys in social change processes.
• Supports the development of gender-sensitive and gender-specific data collection tools and the reporting matrix.
• Collaborates with country-level staff in submitting timely monitoring reports on project activities and contributes to quarterly and annual reports and work plans.
• Ensures that program reporting captures challenges and successes around gender equality and provides sound analysis.
• Provides relevant project information to the engagement team for publication (Case studies, success stories, etc.)

Training and Capacity Building (25%)

• Identifies training needs to ensure quality programming on gender equality and develops concrete capacity development plans for project staff and implementing partners.
• Supports the preparation of, or the dissemination of toolkits, training manuals and checklists.
• Supports the Country Manager, gender officers, staff and partners in organizing workshops on relevant topics that focus on changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards women and girls, men and boys.

Policy, Advocacy and Partnerships (15%)

• Ensures the adequate use of and provides recommendations to improve existing gender reporting tools and strategies that strengthen and advance project work in gender equality.
• Collaborates with the Country Manager to ensure CDF Canada’s Safeguarding policies and procedures are effectively integrated into country-level operations and acts as a focal point reporting to CDF Ottawa on maintaining and strengthening Safeguarding procedures.
• Develops and strengthens core partnerships and networks with key stakeholders in the gender equality sector, including global and regional networks and multi-lateral institutions to contribute to the gender equality policy dialogue.
• Participates in relevant discussion groups and collective advocacy initiatives at the regional and global level, advances key gender equality positions and contributes to publications, standards and tools in collaboration with networks globally.
• Works with the Country Manager and HQ Gender Specialist to ensure alignment with prevailing external trends and innovation in gender equality and ensure they adopt best practices in project implementation.

Research (10%)

• Develops and strengthens core partnerships and networks with key universities, research institutions, and international NGOs and contributes to the broader gender equality research base.
• Works with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist,  country team and HQ colleagues using a collaborative, cross-organizational process to inform a comprehensive program that advances evidence-based research for gender equality in co-operatives.
• Contribute to articles, panels, policy, and research groups as needed to share research results and best practices.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (preferred) or equivalent in International Development Studies, Gender Studies, Social or Natural sciences or a related discipline, or a combination of an undergraduate degree with field experience.
• Minimum five years of experience working with issues of women’s rights and gender equality within public institutions, community-based organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and/or international systems.
• Experience in designing development projects and programs with a gender lens.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluating programs with a gender lens.
• High level of proficiency in written and oral English.

COMPETENCY & SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• An understanding of development and gender issues in co-operatives and farmers’ associations in Malawi.
• Experience in capacity building for topics around gender equality, women’s empowerment and leadership.
• Experience supporting women’s movements, civil society and familiarity with women’s rights organizations and networks in the region.
• Experience supporting initiatives that aim to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (desirable), and using Social Behaviour Change Communication approaches.
• Familiarity with and experience in quantitative and qualitative participatory research methods.
• Understanding of results-based management from a gender perspective.
• Cultural sensitivity and use of culturally appropriate approaches to communicate and interact with project participants, partners, country-level teams, head office, and other diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and to work effectively as part of a team.
• Demonstrates an ability to adapt, learn, and change through self-awareness and the management of emotions, as well as the ability to develop supportive and productive working relationships.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
•   Excellent organizational, administrative and time management skills.

TO APPLY

We require all applications, including cover letters and resumes, to be submitted through CDF Canada’s web portal.

https://cdfcanada-coop.hiringplatform.ca/processes/183747-gender-specialist-lilongwe-office?locale=en

Application Deadline: Friday, July 19, 2024 4:00 p.m. CAT

Applicants must be Malawi Citizens or have legal authorization to work in Lilongwe, Malawi. Please note that we are unable to provide visa assistance or offer relocation support for this position.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, and unsolicited communication will not be accepted.

CDF Canada is committed to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, or age