International Social Development and Gender Specialist

City/location:

Phnom Penh

Organization:

Plan International Cambodia

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Contract Type

4-month contract

Background

Plan International Cambodia and Australia are preparing for the upcoming Asian Development Bank (ADB) Project in Cambodia on Second Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project from March 2017 to February 2019. The project will support the progressive mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management into rural water supply and sanitation.

Job Description

The International Social Development/Gender Specialist will lead and facilitate measures to improve the role of women as decision-makers, implementers, and leaders across project interventions, particularly at the village level. This position will provide strategic direction and technical assistance on the integration of gender throughout the ADB-funded project, as well as ensure women’s roles in local government and project-related committees, including all training activities. The incumbent will coordinate with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) under MRDand the Provincial Project Teams (PPT). S/he will ensure effective implementation by responding to emergent needs, providing backstopping support, and facilitating other technical specialists to provide assistance to key stakeholders.

The International Social Development/Gender Specialist will conduct stakeholder analyses from which to develop social development action plans and the project’s social inclusion measures, related to the new RWSS program with its new climate change and disaster risk management focus. The specialist will work with the team and the corresponding PIC specialists (for the loan and grant activities) to (i)identify measures to improve inclusiveness; (ii) promote the role of women as decision-makers at national and provincial levels; (iii) to improve the role of women as decision-makers, implementers, and leaders at commune and village levels where the impact of the project is focused and where the key to sustainability lies; and (iv) assist with development of appropriate commune and village level plans and training. S/he will not directly manage staff but will work closely with the National Social Development/Gender Specialist.

Responsibilities

Conduct assessment and facilitate meetings with key stakeholders and community members to identify measures to improve inclusiveness, especially for women, within the project scope
Coordinate the development of strategies and plans with key stakeholders and community members to promote the role of women as decision-makers at national and provincial levels
Facilitate and support training and community actions to improve the role of women as decision-makers, implementers, and leaders at commune and village levels
Provide, facilitate, and/or coordinate ongoing technical support to integrate gender and social inclusion into appropriate commune and village level plans and training
Present and facilitate understanding of gender integration and mainstreaming at project orientation workshops and other events at national and subnational levels, as needed
Support the reporting process with clear data, deliverable and outcomes, especially to ensure that 40% target of women in training is reached
Liaise closely with the National Social Development/Gender Specialist to ensure accountability and deliverables according to the job role and responsibilities
Ensure all staff and consultants are oriented and apply the Child Protection Policy and code of conduct throughout project planning, implementation and evaluation
Handle interactions and troubleshooting with the project team, key stakeholders and other agency counterparts in a professional manner
Advocate, share, and influence government officials and others to raise Plan’s profile, scale up Plan’s programmes and best practices

Qualifications

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant social science or related discipline (e.g., economics, public policy, international cooperation, international development, natural sciences or a related field)

Knowledge

In-depth knowledge in social development and gender theory, policy, and practice
General knowledge of rural development in Cambodia
Knowledge on key cross-cutting issues including gender, equality, and right based approach
Understanding of government ministries/departments and other stakeholders in the water and sanitation sectors including their capacity, strengths and weaknesses

Skills

Excellent facilitation skills
Excellent coordination skills
Fluency in written and spoken English is required
Ability to respond on short notice and plan and execute several activities at once
Ability to work under pressure, as part of a team or independently, and meet deadlines consistently
Proven leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate diverse teams
High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook

Experience

At least 10 years of experience in poverty and social analysis
Expertise in areas of social risk mitigation and gender and development, preferably within rural communities
Experience on projects financed by multilateral development agencies would be an advantage
Previous experience working projects in Southeast Asia is preferred
Experience working with government partners

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