Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Manager - Coastal Resilience and Governance

Palladium is recruiting for a Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Manager with a passion for international development and supporting marginalised communities. Specifically, the GESI Manager will be experienced in cross-cutting knowledge management, reporting and communication of GESI work to capture and promote learning, achievements, and progress both internally and externally. The ideal candidate will not only bring strong technical understanding in GESI best practice in an international development programme perspective but they will also bring experience working in marine science and coastal communities. They will also bring managerial and leadership experience to guide an internationally based in-country delivery team.

The programme aims to improve the resilience of communities and their sustainable use of resources through reforming planning and policy, supporting coastal management and local governance as well as supporting local projects, activities and capacity building that support the following key themes:

Protecting, restoring and sustainably managing coastal habitats and nature based solutions (e.g. mangroves, seagrass, corals),
Improving small scale fisheries’ sustainability, productivity and resilience,
Unlocking more sustainable, less intensive aquaculture.

Palladium is recruiting for a GESI lead to support the integrated delivery across the key themes in up to six priority countries plus a demand led fund for UK Embassies and High Commissions in ODA eligible host countries to utilise to deliver responsive, strategic projects.

Purpose of the position

You will be responsible for mainstreaming GESI best practice throughout the day to day management and project implementation of the programme from inception through to project close. Working closely with senior management, the GESI lead will be drive the high GESI ambitions of the programme strategically and operationally. You will work closely with in-country teams and technical experts to improve social equity and inclusion for coastal communities. You will report and be accountable to the Team Leader (and in their absence, the Deputy Team Leader). The position will preferably be based in the UK but candidates outside of the UK are also welcome to apply. There will be the possibility of some international travel to priority countries.

Primary responsibilities

You will work closely with the Team Leader, the different technical leads, and the MEL team to ensure that principles of gender equality and social inclusion, including youth and disability inclusion, are integrated into all aspects of programme design, development, planning, monitoring, and implementation of activities under the programme. Specifically your responsibilities will include:

Strategy Development and Technical Expertise

Provide GESI-focused technical leadership and guidance to project leadership, other programme technical leads, and the MEL team;
Provide technical assistance to national and subnational teams in mainstreaming the GESI approach, including reviewing programme guidelines, draft regulations, and activity TORs, to ensure relevant GESI principles are included in their programmes
Collaborate with the MEL team to conduct a GESI analysis at the beginning of the project with the goal of identifying key GESI-related issues and barriers that could impact full access and participation in programme activities.
Based on results of the GESI analysis, collaborates on the development of a GESI plan, establishment of GESI-specific programme indicators, and integration of GESI activities and considerations into the programme’s workplan and M&E plan.
Collaborate with MEL Team to conduct ongoing monitoring and analysis, ensuring programme data is sufficiently disaggregated (e.g., by sex, age, ethnicity, social class, disability, location) for the purpose of reporting programme progress against GESI-related indicators;
Ensure that country based activities, advocacy and networking, grants, and research efforts integrate GESI considerations and mainstream vulnerable and underrepresented groups.
Design and implement project activities that address the unique human rights challenges that women and girls face.
Collaborate with country GESI Specialists, to mentor and train project staff, partners, and stakeholders, on GESI integration and mainstreaming issues, tools, policies, and practices as relate to project objectives;
Contribute to the development and refinement of tools, frameworks, and resources to promote full GESI integration in the programme;
Identify successful practices in the programme that can be features in reports, publications, communication materials, and conferences;
Provide technical input programme reports to ensure quality and full compliance with donor GESI policies and progress toward achieving GESI integration in the programme;
Provide necessary training and guidance related to GESI mainstreaming within internal operations and processes, including in recruitment and HR policies, in order to ensure a diverse team and an equitable work environment.
Lead well-targeted GESI events at national and subnational levels (for example, to commemorate important days, such as International Women’s) and facilitate periodic cross-institutional peer learning events.
Explore options to boost commitment and amplify the message of GESI with initiatives that identify and celebrate GESI Champions.
Conduct field missions to monitor GESI implementation and performance, providing practical recommendations for improvement and following up to check on progress. Involvement in missions may also include helping to arrange field missions, including those involving government, donors, and other partners with a focus on monitoring and showcasing GESI progress.

Stakeholder Relationships

Maintain a strong working relationship with the client, providing insight into the delivery details of the programme in an open and transparent manner and highlight key improvements and downfalls to programme delivery.
Lead the ongoing support and communication to grantees, ensuring the highest level of support to facilitate success of grantees and ultimately coastal resilience impact.
Maintain an excellent working relationship with programme staff, grantees and key actors in the space.

Person Specification

Extensive experience designing, managing, and implementing activities to promote gender equality and social inclusion, especially youth and disability inclusion. Experience with economic development projects preferred;
Demonstrated ability to ensure GESI integration in project and programme design, implementation, and M&E;
Experience in GESI-focused assessments, training, and organisational capacity-building preferred;
Familiarity with GESI-related issues and barriers within an Oceans context;
A technical understanding of community resilience and experience in international development strategy development. Including the willingness to learn more about innovation for the improvement of coastal community resilience;
Experience with FCDO-funded or other large international development programmes and familiarity with donor GESI requirements and standards;
Ability to navigate culturally sensitive terrain and maintain constructive and collaborative relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders with a commitment to neutrality in all dealings with stakeholders;
Excellent organisational, inter-personal administration and communication skills;
A high degree of personal resilience, flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances;
Highly collaborative and committed to close working and open communication with colleagues in-country and in the UK, and other programme partners;
Work well as part of a team, have a positive team work ethic and a supportive attitude.