Senior GESI Advisor

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Program / Department Summary Mercy Corps is seeking a Senior Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor for the USAID-funded “Sahel Regional Resilience Activity.” Funded and managed out of the USAID Sahel Regional Office, the program seeks to expand resilience in the Sahel by improving the ability of individuals, households, and communities to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from multi-faceted shocks and stresses. Implementation is planned for Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mauritania – with the possibility of additional countries – and is expected to include the management of multiple awards (i.e. “Associate Awards”) under a single mechanism, led by one “Leader Award.”

General Position Summary The Senior GESI Advisor will play a critical role in the Sahel Regional Resilience Activity (SRRA), leading the development and implementation of all GESI components. They will set the vision for how the consortium will address and amplify GESI throughout the program. The Senior Advisor will lead the GESI analysis, advise on inclusive participant selection, and provide technical guidance to ensure high-quality programming that advances GESI outcomes. They will identify gender/youth focal points within the technical units, who, along with gender focal points from other consortium members, will be tasked to mainstream the positive gender culture and integration into the program activities.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Lead the GESI working group within the program, ensuring regular meetings to develop guidance, plan activities, share lessons learned, and incorporate learning into program activities.
• Support internal and external communications to highlight SRRA's GESI work and learning.
• Participate in the development of the program's advocacy and CLA strategy to advance key GESI issues with external stakeholders.
• Participate in the development and implementation of a program research and learning agenda to build evidence and support the production of robust thought leadership and advocacy messages on GESI.
• Contribute to the Roadmap for Associate Award Co-Creation, ensuring GESI considerations are integrated into the inclusive design and implementation of Associate Awards.

  Technical Leadership

  • Lead the program's GESI Analysis, sense-making workshops, work plan, and strategy to inform and adjust programmatic activities across all objectives, with a particular focus on Objectives 1 and 2.
  • Provide oversight and guidance to the program implementation team to ensure that thematic components are technically sound and grounded in an intersectional feminist perspective; and ensure that implementation methods are consistent with national and global strategies, feminist principles, and acknowledged good practice.
  • Deliver regular training and ongoing mentorship to team members and partners to promote capacity, ownership, and commitment Safe, Diverse and Inclusive programming
  • Regularly review program work plans, reports, and data collected, analyzing outcomes and desired impact, making context-based recommendations to maximize GESI outcomes.
  • Work closely with the program's MEL team to design GESI-focused MEL systems; carry out gender and power analysis; and conduct monitoring and evaluation activities using participatory methodologies that promote gender equality and social inclusion.
  • Contribute to donor reporting and ensure submission of reports that effectively communicate the program's gender equality, diversity, and inclusion work across all program components.
  • Support the development of knowledge management products to increase the program's understanding of successful implementation strategies; distill learnings and evidence generated into program guidance and thought leadership for internal and external consumption.
  • Support the incorporation of GESI lens within the program's operational policies and practices.
  • Ensure that the program team is aware of Mercy Corps' GESI Minimum Standards, and that these are adhered to, tracked, and documented.
  • Provide technical guidance on GESI integration in market systems development, natural resource management, and rapid response activities.

    Team Management

    • Support in recruiting, mentoring, and onboarding new team members, ensuring they are set up for success and familiar with the program's gender equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and how this relates to their role.
    • Support the incorporation of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion requirements within the program's job descriptions and performance management systems.
    • Train team members on GESI requirements, plans, and concepts.
    • Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
    • Support staff development so that team members are increasingly taking decisions and in management roles, including the ultimate nationalization of the Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisor role.
    • Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and treat each other with respect.

      Coordination and Representation

      • Represent Mercy Corps and SRRA at relevant external meetings and events, including in coordination bodies connected to protection and GBV.
      • Document and coordinate information dissemination activities that share SRRA’s GESI achievements and results with the aim of influencing decision and policymakers.
      • Prepare and deliver presentations to stakeholders about program approaches, best practices, and learnings related to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.
      • Collaborate with the Program Management Unit to ensure GESI considerations are integrated into program decision-making processes.
      • Participate in the West Africa GESI Community of Practice to share GESI integration learning and best practices of the SSRA’s implementation

        Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

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

          Supervisory ResponsibilityThe number of direct reports is to be determined.

          Accountability Reports Directly To: CLA ManagerWorks Directly With: SRRA team members, technical advisors, Partnership Director, Rapid Response Director, HQ and Regional Technical Resources and Quality team; Global Safeguarding & Ethics teams, local partners, and other staff across the Sahel Region;

          Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

          • Advanced academic qualification in Women and Gender Studies, Social Sciences, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
          • At least 7 years of experience providing technical leadership for the design and implementation of GESI approaches in the context of food security, water security, peace & good governance, and economic opportunities programming, with specific experience in the Sahel region preferred. Experience with USAID-funded programs is a plus.
          • Demonstrated knowledge and skills related to intersectional gender and power analysis, and to the design, piloting, implementation and evaluation of innovative technical tools and resources to advance gender equality in emergencies and development contexts.
          • Significant experience in gender and inclusion training, capacity building and mentoring, and a demonstrated ability to make complex concepts compelling and accessible.
          • Proven ability to work effectively with a multicultural and diverse team in a sensitive environment, with experience in the Sahel context highly desirable.
          • Internationally recognized qualification in program or project management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
          • Solid knowledge and application of established inter-agency standards and guidelines relevant to protection and the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
          • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French.
          • Experience working in the Sahel region is required.
          • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

            Success Factors A successful GESI Advisor will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with a diverse team in a dynamic and often sensitive environment. They will champion innovative and ambitious gender transformative approaches while understanding and navigating cultural nuances. The ideal candidate will provide strong, context-appropriate technical guidance grounded in operational realities. They must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, adeptly building resilient relationships and advocating for change at all levels. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members exhibit a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving environments, and prioritize effective written and verbal communication in all situations. They will have the capacity to translate complex concepts into accessible and compelling messages, mentor diverse stakeholders, and contribute to an inclusive work culture that values alternative viewpoints and collaborative problem-solving.

            Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions The Senior GESI Advisor is based in one of the Sahel countries, likely Senegal or Burkina Faso. The location is expected to be accompanied and secure. Housing is individual accommodation with freedom of movement beyond the house/office. There are international schools. Staff have relatively reliable access to services – medical, electricity, water, etc. This position requires approximately 30% travel by road or plane to field offices with varying levels of security. This position is not eligible for hardship and/or R&R benefits. Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.Ongoing Learning In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. Equal Employment Opportunity Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work. Safeguarding & Ethics Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.