Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser - COSPPac

• Suva-based position (Fiji)
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organization in the Pacific region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management, and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific Phase 3 (COSPPac3) is supported by the Government of Australia and New Zealand. COSPPac has entered a third phase of four years (2023-2027) and builds on Australia's long-term support for core climate information services across the Pacific, ensuring the continued development of valued products and services for optimum impact for Pacific Island governments and communities.

The role – Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser will be a key member of the Climate and Oceans Support Programme in the Pacific (COSPPac) and will be responsible for the mainstreaming of GEDSI across COSPPac including coordination, advise, implementation, capacity building and reporting. This is a specialist technical position that will work across COSPPac partners and national counterparts in developing a GEDSI strategy and ensuring effective implementation of the strategy.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Mainstream GEDSI in programme-wide activities

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) strategy aligned with organizational and donor goals and values.
• Conduct thorough assessments to identify existing gaps and opportunities for promoting GEDSI within programme activities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to design targeted interventions and initiatives that address specific GEDSI challenges and priorities.
• Integrate GEDSI principles into all aspects of program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Work closely with program teams to ensure that gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion are mainstreamed across communication strategies, planning processes, and product development.

Capacity building and knowledge management

• Establish and support a network of gender focal points within the programme to champion gender equality initiatives and drive institutional change.
• Design and deliver comprehensive gender training sessions for program staff to enhance their understanding of gender issues and equip them with practical tools for mainstreaming gender equality.
• Build the capacity of programme staff to mainstreamed gender into the various training materials within the programme.
• Collaborate with external partners and experts to facilitate specialized training sessions on disability inclusion and social inclusion as needed.
• Develop and implement comprehensive capacity building initiatives to strengthen the knowledge and skills of staff, partners, and stakeholders on gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion.

Coordination, stakeholder, engagement and awareness

• Lead coordination efforts within COSPPac to ensure alignment and coherence of GEDSI activities across programmatic areas, departments, and partner organizations.
• Establish and chair GEDSI coordination mechanisms, such as working groups, task forces to facilitate collaboration, information sharing, and joint decision-making.
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders to integrate GEDSI considerations into project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes.
• Promote a culture of learning and reflection by facilitating knowledge sharing sessions, disseminating good practices, and documenting lessons learned on GEDSI across countries and regions.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in project management, anthropology and sociology, gender studies, women's studies, public health, international development, and / or gender program management, or any other related fields.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years’ experience working in the field of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion and/or youth development, preferably in the Pacific region.
• Experience in gender analysis and gender mainstreaming involving both statutory and non- statutory agencies; preferably in the Pacific region or small island developing states (SIDS) context.
• Demonstrated understanding of contemporary gender issues in the Pacific region.
• Experience in the design and implementation of social development interventions that focus on transformative and social norm change.
• Programming, developing, delivering, and reporting against work plans.
• Ability to provide practical gender and social inclusion analysis to a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability using a broad range of individual capacity development modalities including training, coaching, shadowing, mentoring, jobs aides, manuals, and toolkits; with a commitment to skills transfer to local counterparts.          

Language skills

• Excellent English communication skills (oral and written).

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – Until 30 June 2027 – subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.

Application procedure

Closing Date: 13 October 2024 at 11:59pm (Fiji time)

Job Reference: JM000740

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

For international staff in Fiji, only one foreign national per family can be employed with an entity operating in Fiji at any one given time. SPC may assist on a case-by-case basis with submissions to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their consideration and final approval. SPC cannot and does not make any guarantee whatsoever of approval for such applications to Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs and where an application is approved, the spouse or partner will subject to such terms and conditions as may be set from time to time by the Ministry.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening Questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. Can you describe a project where you integrated gender equality, disability, and social inclusion principles? What strategies did you use to ensure these principles were effectively applied, and what were the outcomes?
2. Provide an example of how you have worked with marginalized communities, including women, people with disabilities, and other socially excluded groups. How did you ensure their voices were included in decision-making processes?
3. How have you measured the impact of GEDSI initiatives in previous roles? Please share specific examples of indicators you used and how you assessed the effectiveness of these initiatives.