Global Technical Advisor: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical knowledge to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our expertise in Food, Energy, and Water to local contexts. SNV has over 1250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence.

In its current Strategic Plan (2019–2022), SNV is explicitly aiming for structural change and scale in its programmes in the Food, Energy, and Water sectors, as well as bringing knowledge and initiatives from different programmes together at the country level to contribute to systems change. We position ourselves as a learning organisation striving for excellence and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org.

Job Description

Currently the Global Sector Heads of the three sectors mentioned above, jointly with the global sector teams and country sector leads, are responsible for the technical steering which includes developing and consistent application of a set of high-impact products responding to market demands and in line with our vision and mission and are responsible for quality and innovation in proposal development. This profound technical sector knowledge and steering is a key factor to our success in the past years and this should remain the backbone of our work. However, there is a need to strengthen our position in a number of key (cross-sectoral) thematic areas to further increase our impact. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is one of these priority thematic areas.

It is SNV’s mission to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform Food, Energy and Water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable livelihoods for all. We recognise that people are diverse, for example in wealth, gender, disability, age, ethnicity, class, language, colour, sexual orientation, religion and caste, but also in their world views, perspectives and needs. A mere one-size-fits-all approach will not lead to equal opportunities nor the realisation of human rights. SNV has a deep understanding of how processes of marginalisation play out within the different sectors and what entry points for change are. It also generates disaggregated metrics to make inequalities (in outcome or process) visible and measure progress in terms of closing gaps. The ambition is to contribute to transformational change within and beyond our sectors. For this, SNV works at different levels (national, sub-national, local), with multiple stakeholders: public sector, private sector and civil society, including right holder organisations.

Sector-specific GESI strategies, approaches and tools have evolved over time. The ambition is now to better learn across the sectors, come to a shared understanding and shared objectives, as well as communication, in order to create a clearer message for our internal and external audiences.
SNV is therefore seeking a Global Technical Advisor Gender Equality and Social Inclusion to support the Global Sector Teams, in ensuring GESI is effectively mainstreamed in our food, energy and water sectors. Specifically, the GTA will:
i) contribute to the development and upkeep of GESI mainstreaming in the three sectors; ii) advise on relevant and innovative approaches and tools to be applied;
iii) facilitate knowledge sharing and learning on GESI;
iv) advise on the development of relevant and specific outcomes and indicators;
v) update internal and external communication (jointly with Corporate Affairs and global sector teams); vi) explore funding options (jointly with our Business Development unit), and vii) provide technical assistance and knowledge brokering to project teams in the countries where SNV operates.

The Global Technical Advisor GESI reports directly to the Managing Director Sectors and will work in close coordination with each of the Global Sector Heads and GESI specialists in the Food, Energy and Water sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategy Development: Coordinate and define with SNV’s Global Sector Teams (Food, Energy, Water) the integration and, where relevant, harmonization of GESI approaches and tools in SNV's products and broader vision on how to contribute to SNV’s vision and mission.
• Advisory Services, Quality Assurance and Project Cycle Management: Provide advice and support to relevant project and programme staff in the 3 sectors to implement GESI tools, approaches and metrics according to set standards. Ensure that sets of tools and approaches in the 3 sectors are updated and adjusted to meet the required high-quality standards. Develop innovative and relevant methodology enhancements or new products based on experience and external developments, together with other Global Team members and stakeholders.
• Business Development: Support the Global Sector Teams in designing and reviewing quality of new technical proposals on GESI aspects in close collaboration with the global Business Development team.
• Knowledge and Learning:  Translate external trends in GESI into internal improvement actions and innovations for the 3 sectors.  Support the development, maintenance and updating of the GESI knowledge agenda and how it plays out across SNV’s sectors and supports organisational learning.
• Profiling and positioning: Build and expand partnerships with relevant actors (knowledge organisations, companies, impact investors, development banks, venture philanthropists, foundations, donors, etc.) through professional profiling, showing SNV's strategy, vision and level of knowledge and experience. Represent SNV at selected events. Work closely with our Corporate Affairs unit and the Global Sector Teams to develop messaging and engaging in relevant national and international GESI-related development debates.

Qualifications

·       Master's Degree in a relevant discipline.
·       10+ years of working experience in GESI at a strategic level with a focus on development cooperation in Africa and Asia.

Competencies

·       Having an extensive (international) network in implementing GESI approaches in technical development projects in low- and middle-income countries.
·       Proven experience in developing programme strategies and positioning in GESI within an international cooperation context.
·       Strong methodological skills and proven ability to design knowledge, learning and development processes
·       A good understanding of the development issues in the three sectors food, energy and water
·       Strong background in business development with external donors: proven ability and solid experience designing impactful projects and programmes, writing successful proposals and managing international donor relationships.
·       International work experience and proven ability to effectively advice and, coach a team of advisors in a multi-cultural setting.
·       Experience with knowledge management, learning and innovations in GESI.
·       Mastery of interpersonal skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable.
·       Good communication and negotiation skills as well as intercultural sensitivity.
·       Self-motivated achiever with excellent intercultural leadership, teamwork, coaching, communication, networking and organisational skills.
·       Entrepreneurial, result-oriented and driver for change.
·       Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with governments and the private sector including influencing skills and experience of working effectively in a matrix organisation.
·       Experience living and/or working in a developing country will be an advantage.
·       Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in French is desirable.

Additional Information

Contract Type:                   Full time
Contract Duration:             2 years with possibility for extension
Expected Start Date:         TBA
Duty Station:                      Preferably The Hague, The Netherlands (negotiable)
Travel:                                Approximately 20% (Covid permitting)

Working at SNV
SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and international working environment. Our staff benefits from, and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org.

We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference.  We will not contact these references without your explicit permission.

How to apply?
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and motivation letter before 5th of May 2022 by clicking on the link: I'm interested. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place. SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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