Bilingual Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist, (English and Dutch)

Job Title Bilingual Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist, (English and Dutch)
Project Name BioGov
Job type Contract/Consultancy (deliverables-based)
Location of Position Paramaribo, Suriname
Reporting to  Project Field Manager (with technical oversight by the Canadian Project Director and GESI Advisor)
Remuneration  To be negotiated based on experience level
Indicative LOE/Time Frame Half Time
Citizenship Suriname/right to work in Suriname
Language Requirements Proficiency in English and Dutch (reading, writing, speaking) is required.
Application Deadline: Sept. 4, 2025

Application Instructions:

1. A cover letter is mandatory to be considered. Cover letters should effectively align your skills and experiences with the specific job responsibilities outlined in the position’s description, demonstrating your aptitude and enthusiasm for the role and current availability.
2. Click the “Apply now” link to upload your cover letter and CV in English.
3. Only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Alinea is an international development consultancy providing technical and management expertise that helps people improve their lives. Alinea works with governments, investors, companies, and communities to create lasting change. In over 39 years, Alinea has successfully delivered more than 1,000 projects and assignments worldwide.

At Alinea International we value diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility and belonging in everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer opposed to all forms of discrimination. We actively seek and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds recognizing that an inclusive workforce enriches our organization and achieves smarter, more innovative results.

Alinea is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of our work, all candidates will be subject to due diligence checks and extensive background checks where appropriate.

Project Description: The BioGov project is a five-year (2025-2029), Global Affairs Canada-funded initiative implemented by Alinea International. It supports the Government of Suriname to strengthen inclusive, coordinated, and gender-responsive biodiversity governance, with a focus on marine and coastal ecosystems. Working closely with national ministries, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (ITPs), and civil society, BioGov helps operationalize Suriname’s 2024-2035 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

The BioGov Project has recently been approved and is currently undertaking start up activities. A project baseline survey and project launch are planned for the last quarter of 2025, which will be followed by a Gender Based Analysis (GBA+).  The BioGov Project will be based in the office of the project’s primary Government partner, The Ministry of Oil and Gas and Environment at their headquarters in Paramaribo.

The Role
The GESI Specialist will support and strengthen inclusive biodiversity governance in Suriname, with a particular focus on enhancing the participation and leadership of women and ITPs in NBSAP implementation. The Specialist will work across government ministries, ITP organizations, and civil society partners to mainstream gender-responsive approaches and embed inclusive practices in biodiversity governance structures and implementation mechanisms.
This is a part-time consultancy role, ideally suited to a mid- or senior-level expert with strong experience in gender equality, Indigenous rights, and social inclusion in Suriname or the wider Caribbean region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead implementation of the Gender-based Analysis plus (GBA+) process and integrate findings into project planning and reporting.
• Work across Ministries and ITP organizations to effectively mainstream and coordinate gender considerations, targeting policy and decision-makers for structural changes toward gender-responsive biodiversity initiatives.
• Provide foundational training for Government staff on the intersections of gender equality, climate change, and biodiversity conservation, building awareness and core capacity to apply GESI principles in their daily work, with practical tools and coaching to support integration of GESI in institutional planning, monitoring and budgeting.
• Facilitate inclusive engagement in national biodiversity committees and MUMA governance structures.
• Co-develop gender-responsive participation protocols, consultation tools, and monitoring frameworks.
• Identify and support community-based economic opportunities for ITP women and youth in coastal zones.
• Contribute to inclusive biodiversity finance and gender-disaggregated data reporting tools.

Deliverables Overview
A separate Annex in the contract will outline the detailed deliverables and level of effort for this consultancy. Key areas of focus are expected to include:

• GBA+ process implementation and follow-up
• GESI integration into biodiversity governance structures and processes
• Capacity-building and leadership development for ITP women and youth
• Co-development of inclusive governance tools and community engagement protocols
• Development of GESI-sensitive data frameworks and biodiversity finance input

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 8 years experience related to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion including gender-based analysis, participatory assessments, capacity development.
• Relevant academic qualifications in gender studies, sociology, development, or related fields.
• Experience working with Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, preferably in Suriname or the region
• Proven experience in working with government ministries, especially on GESI or biodiversity initiatives.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Fluent in spoken and written English and Dutch.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the biodiversity and environmental issues and policies in Suriname and the region.
• Understanding and experience working with Global Affairs Canada funded programs.
• Familiarity with gender-responsive result-based management (RBM), tracking, and reporting tools.

Other Provisions

• Workstation: Based in Paramaribo at the Ministry of Oil, Gas and Environment, with travel to project sites as needed.
• Safeguarding & Ethics: Consultant must sign and adhere to Alinea’s Safeguarding and Anti-Corruption Policies.
• Intellectual Property: All data and materials produced remain the property of Alinea and GAC.
• Flexibility Clause: Deliverables and LOE may be adjusted in agreement with the Project Field Manager based on evolving project needs.