Senior Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Officer, PNG

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. Since joining GGGI in 2012, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has embarked on a partnership to foster sustainable and inclusive economic growth. GGGI established its presence in PNG in 2018, working closely with the government to integrate climate-resilient green growth (CRGG) strategies and execute green growth projects by mobilizing climate finance and investments

The GGGI PNG main office is strategically positioned within the Climate Change Development Authority (CCDA) of the Government of Papua New Guinea, with additional presence at the Center of Excellence for Financial Inclusion housed within the Central Bank of Papua New Guinea. GGGI also operates at the sub-national level, engaging with provincial governments in the Eastern Highlands, Enga, Manus, Morobe, New Ireland, Milne Bay, and Simbu provinces. Over the next five years, the GGGI PNG Program is set to expand its activities, supported by funding and partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and France. The program aims to promote inclusive green economic growth in PNG, targeting the mobilization of USD 500 million in climate investments and the enhancement of climate resilience and green growth planning at both national and sub-national levels.

GGGI PNG is currently implementing several national and regional projects, with the Climate FIRST (CF) project, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), serving as its flagship initiative. Climate FIRST supports the mainstreaming of Climate Resilient Green Growth (CRGG) strategies at the provincial and national levels, enhancing institutional capacities, scaling up access to climate finance through global climate funds, innovative financing mechanisms, increased private sector investments, and the development of MSMEs in green businesses.  A critical component of the CF Project is the integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles to ensure inclusive growth that benefits all segments of society.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior GEDSI Officer will lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of GEDSI strategies within the Climate First Project. The role will ensure that gender equality, disability, and social inclusion are systematically integrated into all aspects of the project, from planning and budgeting to implementation and evaluation. The Senior GEDSI Officer will work closely with national and provincial stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and community groups, to build capacity, raise awareness, and foster inclusive practices across the project’s activities. Additionally, the position requires a strong understanding of climate finance mechanisms and the ability to incorporate GEDSI considerations into proposals and projects aimed at mobilizing climate finance.

PURPOSE

• Lead, coordinate and oversee the development of quality GEDSI baselines at the national and provincial level to inform the design of the GEDSI strategy and GEDSI Action Plan (GAP), the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan, and project implementation and reporting.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive GEDSI Action Plan for the Climate First Project, aligned with GGGI’s strategic objectives and donor requirements.
• Ensure the mainstreaming of GEDSI considerations across all project components, including policy advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project teams, partners, and stakeholders on GEDSI integration and inclusive practices.
• Support the development of climate finance proposals by integrating GEDSI elements to enhance project appeal to donors and ensure gender-responsive and socially inclusive outcomes.
• Conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of GEDSI outcomes to assess progress and impact and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Advise and support the project team to develop reports on GEDSI aspects of Climate First to the donor.

ENGAGEMENT

• Collaborate with national and provincial government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, and community groups to promote the integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles within climate-resilient green growth initiatives.
• Facilitate capacity-building workshops, training sessions, and awareness programs to enhance stakeholders' understanding and application of GEDSI principles across various project activities.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to project teams, government officials, and stakeholders on effectively integrating GEDSI considerations into policies, programs, and climate finance initiatives.
• Represent GGGI in relevant national, regional, and international forums, advocating for inclusive policies and practices that align with climate resilience and sustainable development goals.
• Work closely with the Climate Action and Inclusive Development Unit (CAID) and Policy Solutions teams to ensure that GEDSI strategies are aligned with broader climate finance and green growth objectives and contribute to the development of gender-responsive and socially inclusive project proposals for mobilizing climate finance.
• Coordinate with partners and stakeholders the development and regular update of a quality Climate FIRST GEDSI baseline.

DELIVERY 

• A quality project GEDSI baseline is developed and regularly updated regularly and shared with all the project team, partners and stakeholders on a need-to-know basis.
• Lead the development and implementation of GEDSI-specific tools, guidelines, and training materials to support the effective integration of gender equality, disability, and social inclusion in all project activities.
• Coordinate with project teams to ensure that GEDSI considerations are systematically incorporated into planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring processes within the Climate FIRST project framework.
• Develop and oversee the execution of the GEDSI Action Plan, ensuring alignment with project objectives and donor requirements, and facilitating the integration of GEDSI elements in climate finance proposals and project designs.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on GEDSI activities, outcomes, and best practices, contributing to project reporting, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to design and implement GEDSI-responsive indicators and data collection methods to track progress, impact, and the effectiveness of GEDSI integration.
• Support the drafting and review of funding proposals, concept notes, and investment plans to ensure they are gender-responsive, socially inclusive, and aligned with both national priorities and international climate finance standards.
• Provide suitable basic and short training on gender and GEDSI to the PNG Team and stakeholders.
• Coordinate capacity building and GEDSI implementation, monitoring and reporting with the GEDSI focal points.

REQUIREMENTS 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Social Development, or a related field, with a focus on gender studies preferred. A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline will be an advantage.
• Pacific Islander background is desirable.
• At least seven years of experience in a developing country context, with substantial experience in gender and social development initiatives, green growth, or climate change-related projects.
• In-depth knowledge of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) principles, frameworks, and best practices, particularly in the areas of climate change adaptation, mitigation, climate finance, or sustainable finance.
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring GEDSI strategies and action plans in development settings.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community groups, and international development partners.
• Experience conducting gender and social inclusion analysis and effectively integrating GEDSI considerations into project design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Prior experience in the Pacific region or similar geographic contexts is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with environmental and social safeguards, with proven experience in applying these frameworks in project settings, is advantageous.

FUNCTIONAL

• Demonstrated capability to develop project proposals that adhere to gender and social inclusion criteria and requirements.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to establish and maintain relationships with senior government officials and partners.
• Extensive experience in forming and nurturing strategic partnerships and networks to achieve project outcomes and facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Ability to operate effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary environments, with a keen awareness of diverse cultural contexts and social norms.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex GEDSI concepts clearly and effectively to a varied audience.
• Competence in managing complex, multi-stakeholder relationships and maintaining high standards of professional integrity.
• Ability to effectively communicate GEDSI-related aspects of technical investment and development projects in a clear, accessible manner, ensuring that non-expert stakeholders understand the importance of inclusive and gender-responsive approaches.
• Willingness and ability to travel within PNG and the broader Pacific region as needed.

CORPORATE

• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, manage, and execute projects that deliver high-quality outcomes on time and within scope.
• Strong capacity to produce compelling written and verbal communications, ensuring clarity, conciseness, and influence.
• Proven track record in effectively engaging stakeholders to build consensus, characterized by strong listening, trust-building, influencing, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work as an integral member of a team, operating seamlessly across organizational boundaries and maintaining a proactive, positive, and results-driven approach in dynamic environments.
• Commitment to fostering an organizational culture founded on trust, transparency, respect, and partnership, demonstrating leadership in promoting these values.