Gender Specialist

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

BACKGROUND

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan has over 80 years’ experience and works in more than 75 countries across the world. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners.

Plan International has been working in Tanzania since 1991. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights. We prioritise working with partners, and ensuring all of our work is evidence based

Vijana na Ubora, Malengo na Afya (VUMA) project is an anticipated a 7-year Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded project, aiming at increasing realisation of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Adolescents Girls and Young Women(AGYW) in all their diversity in Katavi region. The project will increase AGYW’s individual and collective agency by building Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Sexual Gender Based Violence, Mental Health, infection prevention and control (IPC) and nutrition by empowering them via increased social capital; and by helping them to acquire skills, capacities and increased financial capital. The project will also strengthen the provision of gender and adolescent-responsive and inclusive (GAR&I), integrated and innovative ASRHR and protection services and support for AGYW by building community, school, health facility and governmental capacity, infrastructure, planning and management.

In addition, the project will work with local Women Rights Organizations (WROs), Youth Led Organizations (YLOs), adolescent groups and stakeholders to ensure that gender equality (GE), ASRHR and protection frameworks, policies and services are gender-responsive and evidence-based.

ROLE PURPOSE

Gender Specialist will serve as the Gender technical lead for VUMA project focusing on the improvement on the application of gender transformative approach in the implementation of project activities in Katavi region. She/he will be responsible for the execution and guiding strategic vision and integration of gender responsive model in the development, implementation and monitoring of annual work-plans and budgets. She/he will ensure activities are appropriately implemented and evidence based to align with donor and Plan gender transformative approaches. She/he will unite the team around the gender learning agenda and documenting results to increase visibility and stimulating cross sector programming for adolescents and young women. The Gender specialist combines strong program technical knowledge with exceptional project and team management skills and the ability to lead by influence. She/he will significantly contribute to Plan International Tanzania’s innovative solutions for strengthening gender transformation and inclusion in SRH services provision in the project area.

Dimensions of the Role

• The post holder leads program design, planning and implementation to ensure overall interventions are of high quality gender transformative and inclusive of children and youth with disabilities and align with the Areas of Plan International Global Distinctiveness.

• Analyse and assess  gender related relevant political, social and economic trends that contribute to enhancement or detraction of girls’ rights to sexual reproductive health and rights

• Conduct regular supervision and monitoring visits to project filed sites to ensure gender transformative approach is mainstreamed in all  project activities;
• Provide gender oversight to local implementing partners, and also work closely with the field offices team, as well as the program director,

• Lead and coordinate the development and/or adapting gender transformative and inclusion training materials and tools as necessary.
• Work closely with the Head of Child Protection and the Gender and Inclusion Specialist to ensure that gender transformative approaches are integrated throughout all activities and interventions

• Work in partnership  MERL team in the development of Monitoring plan in line with VUMA project indicators and Global Strategy Results
• Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding children and young people and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility.
• Work closely with Project  manager and coordinators to support the design, management and implementation of the planned activities 
• In collaboration with partners, coordinate, manage and monitor the programme implementation, ensuring its quality, and synergy in the results and their solid attachment to  girls and women’s human rights
• Provide gender technical support and the expertise required to implement the programme and to obtain the expected results
• Ensure synergy building between the different components of the programme;
  In consultation with the partners, prepare annual work plans, budgets and progress reports to ensure the achievement of results;
• Provide gender and inclusion related technical support to staff and partners for programme implementation, including identification and fulfilment of capacity building requirements.
• Regularly capture  gender related emerging opportunities in the country and ensure the adjustment of the programme to respond to these opportunities

• Prepare periodic progress reports in collaboration with partners focusing on results, output and outcomes that add into the overall program report underlining the main achievements and the synergies between the different components of the programme.
• Perform other project related duties as assigned by the Project Director

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Technical Leadership

• Provide leadership in the design and implementation of gender transformative interventions and inclusion for VUMA project as prioritized in the project document and aligned with government and donor priorities.
• Plan and manage all trainings to build the capacities of staff and partners in use gender transformative approaches in the planning, implementation and monitoring.

• Facilitate application and understanding of Gender Marker usage to measure integration and development of transformative gender approaches into VUMA Project interventions

• Lead the project gender analyses,  develop and implement approaches that address formal and informal individual and institutional barriers to girls’ knowledge and access to SRH services in order to challenge root causes of gender inequality and its effects to adolescent girls
• Utilize Plan International’s gender transformative framework to ensure that  VUMA Project incorporates issues of agency, male involvement, structure and relations as part of its gender transformative approach to ensure the integration of sustainable, gender responsive and inclusive approaches into the project as appropriate
• Work in partnership with  Gender and Inclusion Specialist and project MERL staff to ensure that all gender transformative interventions plans are complete with outcome level monitoring and evaluation plans; and share learnings for project improvement
• Ensure timely development and submission of high quality gender and inclusion narrative reports that contribute to the project reports (monthly, quarterly annual and final)

• Support Plan staff and implementing partners in planning and implementation of gender transformative activities; and advise on continuous learning
• Participate in the facilitation of project planning sessions, assisting team leaders in the development of annual plans and Budgets

• Coordinate and document program activities related to gender transformative and contributions to Plan Tanzania’s advocacy and influencing efforts Support partners in making sure outcomes and outputs reflect Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting.
• Provide technical support to the Local Governments Authorities (LGAs) in the prioritization and development of district gender equality action plans, integrate gender analysis into the council budgets and strengthen budget transparency and accountability.

Project Monitoring and Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation 

• Manage the monitoring of project gender responsive activities implementation and budget using results- based management tools;
• Participate to draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review for technical capacities and contract budgets for gender responsive components
• Work closely with the MERL team in the development, adaptation and use of high-quality project monitoring tools
• Collaborate with the MERL team to monitor indicators especially gender equality indicators.
• Facilitate reflective learning sessions and practice among project staff and partners’ staff network, particularly around girl’s rights and empowerment, men engage and gender equality
• Facilitate generation, documentation, coordination and management of knowledge on SRH and gender and support effective learning and sharing of experiences in the project and widely in Plan Tanzania and Plan Global
• Lead the development of quality standards for implementation of gender transformative approaches, including tools for gender/power analysis and gender audits and train project staff and partners to carry out these analyses.

Strengthen Advocacy efforts and Partnership

• Contribute to effective partnerships with government’s relevant departments at regional and district levels and networking to ensure influencing and close collaboration and ownership of project activities
nafasi za kazi
• Represent Plan International Tanzania in various GE forums, relevant platforms and technical groups at the regional and district levels and at national level if assigned by the Project Director.
• Where appropriate, work with advocacy, communications and influencing team in the development of gender evidence-based advocacy and influence tools
• Support and facilitate project staff and partners to generate evidence from project activities for policy engagement and advocacy with allies and coalitions.
• Help the project team in packaging and disseminating best gender transformative practices on VUMA Project approaches to different audiences and for different purposes.
• Coordinate community outreach activities that employ SBCC messages and dialogues to challenge unequal gender norms and behaviours

Information Management

• Lead and collaborate with project staff to translate project learning and results into accessible technical products for global and country stakeholders
• Encourage and facilitate the documentation of best practices and lessons learned in VUMA project, to influence policy formation, deepen capacity, and foster partnerships;
• Develop summative project reporting documents for advocacy and promotion of girls’ Knowledge on  accessing quality gender equality to SRH.
• Build and maintain relationships with external and internal partners to enhance their support in keeping girls in school.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of Safeguarding policies.

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Observe and ensure all safety measures against COVID-19, and support in all prevention measures

Compliance to Global Policies

• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEIP) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring Plan and Partner’s staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures

Communications and Working Relationships:

Internal:

• This position works closely with Project Director (High)
• This position works closely with the project managers and Project coordinators within the project, (High)
• This position work closely with Plan Tanzania Program Quality Team, including Gender and Inclusion Specialist, and Head of Education, Head of Child Protection, Head of Health and Nutrition (Medium)
• This position works closely with their counterpart at Plan International Canada (medium)

External:

• This position works closely with implementing partner organizations (medium)
• This position works closely with Regional and District Authorities; Community Development Department, Education Department,  Health Department.

Key relationships

• Plan International Canada
• Country Office
• Senior Head of Program Quality
• Head of Child Protection and Education,  Gender  Specialist and Communication and Influencing Manager
• Functional networks within Plan

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Required experience and Qualifications

• University degree in Community Development, Sociology, Social Sciences preferably with a special focus in Gender Studies.  Master’s degree will be an asset;
• A minimum of 5 years demonstrated working experience in managing  gender interventions funded by international donors 
• Demonstrated experience of developing and implementing gender transformative and gender integrated strategies and programs.

• Deep understanding of state of gender equality status and practices from diverse ethnic and social groups in Tanzania

• A thorough understanding of the various tools and strategies for gender transformative approaches in a project cycle including gender equality analysis, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.

• Experience in providing remote support or willingness to learn effective remote facilitation and support skills;
• Excellent in leading strategic planning, results-based management and reporting report writing

Essential

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of gender and inclusion materials development for girls’ SRH Knowledge and access.
• Knowledge of gender equality analysis and assessments, including approaches, methods, and frameworks.
• Demonstrated knowledge in developing and leading gender-transformative strategy to guide large program delivery
• Knowledge in formulating, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of gender focusing interventions
• Demonstrated knowledge in organizing Social Behavioral Change and Communication campaigns
• Demonstrated knowledge in partnership building and the provision of guidance, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management

Skills

• Outstanding analytical skills, proven ability to quickly understand complex challenges and propose solutions
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant Microsoft software; MSWord, Excel, Power Point
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong report writing skills.
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports to inform management and strategic decision-making
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to assume responsibilities and take initiative; ability to be a team player
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
• Fluent spoken and written English and Kiswahili

Behaviours

• Hardworking with capacity to work independently with minimum supervision
• Honest, integrity, open and transparent personality.
• Respectful of all groups of people in the community and culturally sensitive
• Motivated, energetic and strives to develop and support others
• Result oriented and a team player
• Adheres to and acts in accordance with Plan’s Child Protection (CP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) policies.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience with GAC’s results-based management tools, donor requirements, and reporting processes, including gender responsive results is an added advantage.
• Data-driven, detail-oriented, self-starter
• Strong program management, presentation, team-building and interpersonal skills
• Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Operate in a high-pressure deadline-driven environment with professionalism
• Ability to multitask and work under pressure with minimal supervision

• Managing project with strict reporting deadlines
• Experience working with children and understanding their special needs.
• Experience with rights-based approaches in project development and implementation.
• Experience in civil society capacity building and partnership development
• Experience managing staff, including demonstrated experience in staff training, coaching and mentoring.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

• Working environment will include both typical office environment and field environment
• The position requires regular field travels, at least 60% of the work time

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children during reflection meetings, supervision, evaluations, and research

Location: Katavi

Reports to: Project Director

Grade: D2

Closing Date: 13th February, 2022