Regional Gender and SOGIESC Advisor

Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world.

The EAGL Regional Office covers the following country operations: Burundi, Djibouti, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Head of Programmes for East Africa and the Great Lakes, the Regional Gender and SOGIESC Advisor for East Africa and the Great Lakes (EAGL) will provide technical support on gender and diverse SOGIESC inclusion in DRC’s research and programming across the region. This will involve mapping out DRC’s policies, focusing on internal processes and programming across all our three response platforms; emergency, solutions and root causes. This work will entail partnering with other technical coordinators and senior management at country and regional level, including at DRC's Mixed Migration Centre (MMC).

The Regional Gender and SOGIESC Advisor will be responsible for enhancing the capacity of DRC and partner staff in gender and diverse SOGIESC mainstreaming and programming, while developing a regional analysis, action plan, and budget. The position is based in Nairobi (Kenya) and Non-accompagnied.        

Responsibilities :

The Regional Gender and SOGIESC Advisor for EAGL will

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of a regional gender and SOGIESC strategy with a strong focus on inclusion of people with diverse SOGIESC
• Conduct gender and SOGIESC assessments across EAGL operations and advise on more in-depth MMC SOGIESC research. Document and share tools, lessons learnt and best practice from programming across the region.
• Provide technical and strategic advice to EAGL Extended Senior Leadership Team on current issues and opportunities
• Provide technical and strategic guidance to the country and regional office, including the Mixed Migration Centre, to ensure that gender and diverse SOGIESC agendas are mainstreamed in programmes, and policies.
• Develop and deliver a regional gender and SOGIESC capacity building strategy and plan targeting DRC and partner staff
• Support country offices in EAGL region to develop and deliver a country specific gender and SOGIESC capacity building strategy and plan
• Lead capacity building and training efforts on gender and SOGIESC mainstreaming, inclusion and programming across DRC EAGL operations
• Identify and advise on entry points for new initiatives (both fundraising and programming) for EAGL countries to strengthen national and local comprehension of gender and SOGIESC related issues, and direct programming opportunities
• Design specific approaches and activities to identify and address gender and SOGIESC issues and needs, and participate in the design and planning of interventions in the region to ensure a gender-sensitive, SOGIESC-inclusive approach is integrated into all assessments, activities and outcomes
• Establish effective methodologies and guidelines for mainstreaming of gender and diverse SOGIESC considerations into the design, implementation and monitoring of EAGL programmes, leading to the development of an action plan, operations, including in documents, decisions and in practice
• Advise and support DRC EAGL country offices in forging strategic partnerships at national and local level to promote gender equality, diverse SOGIESC inclusion and representation
• Represent DRC in regional Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) working group and at inter-agency and coordination level as relevant and promote gender and SOGIESC agendas
• Contribute to developing DRC and joint policy position papers / briefs and advocacy messaging on gender and SOGIESC issues
• Support fundraising and donor engagement process by ensuring that gender and diverse SOGIESC agendas are included as a vital aspect of DRC’s programming
• Support MEAL team to ensure indicators that promote gender and diverse SOGIESC inclusion across all the projects
• Design and support implementation of evidence-based interventions that promote the participation and leadership of women, girls and people with diverse SOGIESC.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Experience and Technical comptencies (included year of experience)

• Minimum 5 years’ proven experience in design, implementing and/or evaluating gender-related programmes/projects, including risk assessment and mitigation;
• Experience of conducting rapid and comprehensive gender and/or SOGIESC analysis;
• Master degree in relevant social sciences, gender studies with expertise on gender analysis, policy, gender transformative and gender responsive programming and specific expertise on working with people with diverse SOGIESC will be preferred;
• Experience and skill of using other gender mainstreaming tools and methodologies;  
• Work experience with people with diverse SOGIESC communities is essential ;
• Experience of working with local partners particularly WRO/WLO and SOGIESC organizations;
• Experience in working in fragile and active conflict contexts  ;
• Proven experience with assessing and strengthening institutional, organizational and technical gender and SOGIESC capacity ;
• Experience with implementing gender mainstreaming agendas across a variety of sectors;
• Ability to work under pressure and with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;
• Excellent inter-personal and negotiation skills;
• Strong links with international, regional and national networks on gender equality;
• Experience in the East Africa Region will be an advantage;
• Highly experienced and skilled drafter;
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and adaptability;
• Experience working in insecure environments and willingness to travel within the region;
• Fluent in written and spoken English, French desired.

What we offer

Contract: 1 Year Contract with the possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance.

Salary:  in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment Non-Management Band/ F.

Availability:  1st July  2024.

Duty station: Nairobi (Kenya)

Reporting Line: Regional Head of programmes EAGL

Providing equal opportunities  We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under JOB/View Vacancies.

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 22th May, 2024