Position Title: Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, and Youth Specialist-Deputy Manager
Vacancy Number: 431-2024
Number of Positions: 1
Location: Derik
Department: Program-GROW
Reports to: Deputy Chief of Party
Travel rate: Frequent travel to other GROW locations in NE Syria
Posted: February 05, 2024
Time Frame: February 05, 2024 to February 12, 2024

Introduction:
Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) International is a humanitarian organization providing urgent support to the people of Syria. The GROW program aims to improve food security and transform agricultural market systems in NES Syria. Program activities are politically neutral, independent, and impartial. We provide support to everyone based on need, not political, religious, ethnic, or tribal affiliation.

Job Summary:
The Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI) and Youth Specialist will oversee the strategic approach to gender, equity and social inclusion mainstreamed across all aspects of the activity. This includes supporting the team to systematically incorporate GESI and Youth analysis into the design of interventions, as well as supporting them throughout implementation (including for example engaging with partners). The ideal candidate will bring experience integrating GESI and Youth considerations into economic development programming, preferably in agriculture. S/he will provide technical advising to team members and project partners, engage with consultants and sub-contractors engaged in similar thematic approaches, and provide support to grantees and activity staff. This position will have a strong capacity building and training component. The GESI and Youth Specialist will ensure technical teams include strategies and activities that address women, youth, and other vulnerable groups and the social dimensions of GROW activities. S/he will serve as the lead advisor in identifying gender-based constraints and will be expected to engage with all areas of GROW program implementation to ensure gender mainstreaming practices are being utilized. S/he will be responsible for reviewing gender data in monitoring reports according to USAID and CHF compliance policies.

Responsibilities:
Technical leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for integrating gender equality, social inclusion, and youth empowerment across the GROW program in line with market systems development best practice.
- Serve as the program resource for GESI and youth-based questions and engage with stakeholders on gender issues being addressed by the program.
Coaching, engagement and support
- Provide technical expertise and guidance on gender and social inclusion issues to ensure effective program implementation in line with the GESI and youth strategy.
- Collaborate with the program team to ensure effective integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations into all program activities (including at analysis, partner engagement and monitoring stages).
- Engage with consultants and sub-contractors working on related thematic areas to ensure coordination and alignment of efforts.
- Identify and engage private sector actors and other market players to support them to understand and integrate GESI and youth principles into their work (by for example articulating the business case).
- Advise staff on ways to promote GESI and youth considerations through program interventions and advise on how to tailor each intervention to ensure that women can attend and participate fully.
- Provide training and capacity building support to program staff on gender integration, diversity and inclusion, gender-based violence mitigation, and safeguarding.
Coordination, monitoring, and reporting
- Coordinate with the Capacity Building Specialist and trainers on the training on gender mainstreaming and submit reports summarizing the outcomes of the training in gender-related issues.
- Maintain a continuous commitment and strengthen gender equality capacity with staff and project partners.
- Establish a collaborative relationship with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) / CLA expert to ensure that the collection, documentation, and interpretation of gender-specific indicators and M&E data inform implementation.
- Support the team to monitor and evaluate program activities to ensure adherence to GESI and youth objectives.
- Undertake other assignments or tasks at the request of the Chief of Party or DCOP.

Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree, with professional experience and expertise in gender equality, social inclusion, and youth empowerment in the context of development programs is required.
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Minimum three (3) years of work experience with integrating gender in livelihoods, early recovery, and development projects required.
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Prior experience mainstreaming GESI and youth into donor-funded programs working on rural development, food security, nutrition or agriculture is an advantage.
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Previous experience in implementing interventions supporting Livelihoods, agri businesses and supporting Agri value chains SMEs will be an advantage.
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Prior experience with gender and youth on USAID-funded programs is desirable.
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Strong knowledge and understanding of GESI and youth dynamics in Northeast Syria (NES).
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Demonstrated awareness of and responsiveness to gender and social issues in cross-cultural contexts.
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Strong analytical skills, including ability to gather and analyze a variety of information pertaining to issues and to develop appropriate recommendations for action.
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Proven ability to engage with private sector actors and market players in NES.
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Proven experience in managing multiple and competing tasks while maintaining the quality of deliverables within deadlines.
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Proven ability to successfully design and conduct training and workshops and lead interviews and focus groups.
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Strong knowledge of gender integration approaches, tools, and methodologies.
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Experience in providing technical advice and support to diverse stakeholders, including grantees, consultants, and program staff.
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Effective at collaboration; willingness to innovate and ability to think systematically.
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Ability to communicate effectively with persons on all levels both inside and outside the organization on issues that could be complex or sensitive in nature.
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Strong written communication skills, including demonstrated ability to write required documents in a clear, concise, well-organized manner.
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Advanced computer skills in a Windows based environment including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
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Excellent command (written and spoken) of English and Arabic.
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Ability to travel within the NES as necessary.