Gender Specialist

Job Summary:

The Gender specialist is a member of the DACAAR Gender Team which was set up in 2009 based on the recommendations of a gender consultancy conducted in 2007. The Gender Team works towards mainstreaming gender in all of DACAAR’s work in Afghanistan. In doing so, it seeks to meet and surpass minimum standards in gender committed to by the Government of Afghanistan and those independently committed to by DACAAR. These include:

• 2004 Constitution
• The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (signed 2003)
• Afghan Compact (2006)
• ACBAR members agreement (2006)
• ANDS Draft Gender Equity Cross Cutting Strategy 2008-2013
• National Action Plan for Women in Afghanistan (2005)

The team will also work towards enabling DACAAR to meet the aspirations of senior management in terms of greater gender equity and to make progress towards more gender equitable programming.

The Gender Team is led by a Gender Advisor who heads a team of two National Gender Specialists (one male and one female). Together the team aims to:

A. Promote greater understanding and action of gender issues into all aspects of DACAAR’s daily work. This will include some changes in recruitment, retention, promotion and a range of HR, finance and logistic practices. (Years 1,2,3)
B. Establish effective gender mainstreaming in programme design, implementation and evaluation. (Years 2 and 3)
C. Use 1 and 2 to design and promote policy and advocacy tools which illustrate DACAAR’s experiences and strengths. (Year 3)

Initial focus has been on working with senior and middle management in Kabul and the field to develop their understanding and expertise while monitoring and evaluating the implementation of gender consultancy recommendations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

As a member of the DACAAR Gender Team, the Gender Specialist will be participate in and assist with the following tasks;

o Facilitate a review of DACAAR’s programmes from a gender perspective. This participatory review will lead to recommendations on the full project cycle.
o With Gender Adviser’s guidance and input establish an appropriate form of baseline against which progress would be measured subsequently. This is likely to be similar to KAP survey which measures quantifiable change such as recruitment, promotion and retention issues.
o In coordination with Gender Adviser, advise and support senior local and expatriate staff on the inclusion of gender when formulating, reviewing and revising policies and procedures of the organization.
o Assist in setting up effective processes to finalise and mainstream gender policy
o Support the identification and selection of gender focal points in all DACAAR site offices. Additionally, they will train and build the capacity of focal points by provision of direct or indirect training as well as through coaching and mentoring on a regular basis.
o In collaboration with Gender Adviser and other relevant units, plan and conduct periodic review of program activities to ensure inclusion of gender sensitive issues.
o Review organizational functions and services and report discrepancies existing in the provision of administrative services and facilities to male and female employees and suggest improvements.
o Facilitate the review of organization’s recruitment, retention and other HRM procedures to identify gaps in provision of equal opportunities to male and female employees and advise on how to improve.

The Gender Specialist will also:

o Undergo ongoing coaching from the Gender Advisor in both practical and analytical aspects of the work with a plan for eventual take over of full responsibilities from the Gender team in the future.
o Take on any other relevant responsibilities assigned by the Gender Advisor.

Job Requirement:

Education: Bachelors degree. Relevant qualification in human rights, gender, agriculture, social sciences or any other relevant field desired but not essential

Experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant programme experience
• Managed/ assisted in programme/project management
• Basic understanding of gender issues in programmes/project in Afghanistan is desired but not essential


Other qualifications’ an advantage:

• Good communication and writing skills
• Self motivated
• Shows initiative
• High level of interest in the issue
• Understanding of programming challenges and


opportunities
• Strong team player


Languages:
Fluency in English (Oral and written), Dari/Pashto

Job Location: