The Gender, Youth and social inclusion (GYSI) Technical specialist position holder will ensure the program activities’ technical quality and integration of gender, youth and other socially marginalized groups needs and requirements across the program’s intervention and identify and address related concerns through various assessments and strategies. The Specialist will also contribute to new business development, provide capacity-building training, contribute to organizational and staff transformation on GDI (Gender Diversity and Inclusion), and represent Mercy Corps in relevant regional coordination forums and platforms.

 Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Collaborate and work closely with Mercy Corps team members and HRA program partners to make sure effective integration of gender, youth and social inclusion, across all the programs.

• Collaborate with relevant government and non-governmental actors in the regional to effectively identify gender, and social related norms and challenges and inform project designs and activities.

Program Management

• Lead the implementation of GYSI-focused project activities of HRA program across the field office.

• Represent Mercy Corp in the regional platforms and meetings.

• Provide appropriate technical guidance and support to program implementing team members.

• Lead GYSI analysis, and provide technical advice to other assessments of the program process to inform program design, implementation and activity revision.

• Make sure gender, youth and social inclusion concerns are integrated across different assessments to better understand the concern and to inform program design and strategy development.

• Promote women’s and youth leadership and meaningful engagement at various levels of community structures by suggesting relevant strategies to address the gaps.

• Ensure project MEL plans and indicators are GYSI sensitive Coordinative with the monitoring and evaluation team to do regular monitoring and evaluation of the project activities.

• Lead/oversee the process of gender and social norm reflections at the community and organizational levels.

• Provides capacity building trainings to program staff and stakeholders as required ,

• Work closely with the GYSI advisor, share plan of works at regular level, engage on reflections for efficient interventions and monitoring and evaluation

• Facilitate a community of practice for regional level project participants and facilitate experience sharing and learnings

Team Management

• Provide technical guidance for Project Coordinator at regional level and work closely with Technical Advisors and specialists Supports and liaises with all project teams and provides capacity building including training and coaching on gender mainstreaming, Youth  and social inclusion, and other related on-the-job training and capacity building.

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback formally and informally.

• Sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Influence & Representation

• Make sure to coordinate with regional level government, development, and humanitarian actors to promote gender equality, youth , social inclusion, and prevention of Gender Based Violence.

• Always upholds the image and values of Mercy Corps

Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Social Inclusion)

• Promote recruitment of diverse teams and inclusive and safe work environments including supporting early career team members to fulfill their professional goals.

• Lead by example to promote a gender-equal and inclusive workplace culture in day-to-day interaction with team members, partners, and program participants.

• PROGRAM AND PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

 Provide project teams with technical support, coaching, and capacity building to ensure high-quality gender and youth integration in the program.

Gather/analyze data and complete assessments to determine community needs and priorities, identify partnership opportunities, and Mercy Corp’s competitive advantage for funding.

Provide support for prepositioning and new program strategy design efforts.

Cultivate and nurture donor relationships and strategic partnerships that may result in stronger or more impactful program development efforts.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• The GYSI Specialist is responsible to provide technical support to the program at the regional level  and  responsible to provide day to day technical support for the Community Technical Outreach Officers and Technical Advisor.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Reports Directly To: Program Coordinator

Technical Reporting line: Youth Engagement Specialist and  GYSI Advisor

Closely work with All Mercy Corps and Partner technical teams, Regional and Zonal and Woreda government and private sector stakeholders

 SECURITY

 Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.

Proactively operate in a secure environment and be aware of policies.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, and other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in designing, monitoring, and evaluating our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience

 BA degree in Gender and social development, Sociology, Psychology, Social work, political science and governance or other similar social science field of studies

Minimum four years of’ work experience as GYSI or on positions related to gender, and social inclusion in development and humanitarian settings

Experience working with NGOs and USAID funded projects has advantage

Success Factors:

The GYSI Specialist  will demonstrate experience-managing programs in the field, further enhancing their ability to adjust technical theories to meet complexities on the ground. The individual should have the proven ability to influence project participants, partners,  peer organizations and stakeholders. The role requires strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and a level of emotional intelligence proficiency that quickly builds and maintains productive relationships across teams. Being aware and sensitive to national development issues and diverse cultures is critical.