Gender Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that focuses on advancing children's rights and equality for girls. Established over 85 years ago, Plan International operates in more than 80 countries, working collaboratively with children, young people, supporters, and partners to tackle the root causes of challenges faced by girls and vulnerable children. The organization is committed to transforming the lives of children and ensuring their rights are upheld from birth to adulthood, particularly in the face of crises and adversity. Plan International aims to drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels, leveraging its extensive reach, experience, and knowledge to create a just world where every child can thrive. The organization is dedicated to promoting equality and will not stop until all children, especially girls, are treated equally and have the opportunities they deserve.

Job Overview:
The Gender Specialist position at Plan International Sudan is designed for an innovative individual with substantial experience in gender or gender-based violence (GBV) within a humanitarian context. This role requires a strong understanding of gender mainstreaming, community-level gender-transformative approaches, and protection and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. The Gender Specialist will lead the technical oversight and gender mainstreaming efforts for the consortium implementing the GPE BRIDGES programme and, subject to funding, a new phase of the Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Multi-Year Resilience Programme (MYRP) in Sudan for the years 2025-202

• The GPE BRIDGES programme, funded by the Global Partnership for Education Systems Transformation Grants, aims to create safe, inclusive, and resilient learning environments for children and adolescents aged 6-14, particularly those affected by conflict and crisis. The anticipated ECW MYRP focuses on ensuring access to education for children, especially girls and young women. As the Gender Lead Organisation for both consortia, Plan International is responsible for mainstreaming gender across all activities, providing technical support to partners, and engaging education stakeholders at both local and national levels. The Gender Specialist will play a crucial role in integrating gender-responsive and gender-transformative approaches across consortium members and implementing partners, ensuring that the programme effectively addresses the needs of all genders and promotes the empowerment of women and girls.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Gender Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Response Management and Implementation: Provide technical oversight to Plan staff and consortium partners for the implementation and monitoring of Gender Strategies and Action Plans. Support the integration of Gender-Transformative Approaches within the Humanitarian Response Plan and ensure alignment with INEE Minimum Standards, ECW/GPE Gender Policies, CPMS, and the Gender in Humanitarian Action framework. Lead quarterly gender analysis and gender-in-education needs assessments, and strengthen linkages between gender-transformative education and GBV risk-mitigation activities.
• Programme Design and Resource Mobilisation: Ensure that gender, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and conflict sensitivity are embedded in programme design. Contribute to the development of concept notes, proposals, donor engagement, and programme presentations. Support resource mobilisation efforts through lessons learned and contextual analysis.
• Capacity Building and Learning: Develop and deliver capacity-building plans focused on Gender-Transformative Education and gender-sensitive safeguarding. Provide training and mentoring to staff, partners, and stakeholders, and promote best practices and evidence-based learning through case studies and research.
• MEAL, Coordination and Representation: Collaborate with MEAL teams to develop and track gender-specific indicators. Represent Plan International Sudan in Education, Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE), and GBV coordination mechanisms. Build and maintain relationships with UN agencies, government, and NGO partners, and provide updates and reports to donors and stakeholders.
• Safeguarding, HR and Compliance: Support recruitment, onboarding, and staff inductions, ensuring compliance with Plan International's safeguarding, PSHEA, gender equality, and HR policies. Apply strong judgement and risk management in dynamic and high-pressure contexts.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a range of essential qualifications, including:

• Expert knowledge of Gender-Transformative Education, ECW Gender Policy, and GPE Systems Transformation Grants.
• Strong working knowledge of Child Protection in Emergencies (CPiE) and Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies (GBViE) Minimum Standards.
• Experience working in the gender-transformative field, particularly in humanitarian settings.
• Proven experience conducting gender assessments and delivering training in emergency contexts.
• Strong background in Education in Emergencies.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and representation skills.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful and insecure environments.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Gender Specialist position should possess a relevant educational background that typically includes a degree in social sciences, gender studies, international development, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in gender issues, humanitarian response, or education in emergencies may be preferred, as they provide a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in gender mainstreaming and the challenges faced in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The role requires extensive experience, ideally a minimum of five years, in gender-related work within humanitarian organizations. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing gender-focused programs, particularly in insecure and politically sensitive environments. Experience in leading gender assessments, developing gender strategies, and implementing gender-transformative approaches in education or other sectors is highly desirable. Familiarity with the specific challenges and dynamics of working in Sudan or similar contexts will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication with a diverse range of stakeholders is crucial. Knowledge of Arabic is also essential, as it facilitates engagement with local communities and partners. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they enhance communication within the program areas.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Sudan and involves travel to various program areas within the country. It is a mandatory unaccompanied assignment, meaning that the selected candidate will not be accompanied by family members during their tenure. The role is offered as a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension based on funding and program needs. The position reports to the Director of Programmes and is classified at Grade E. Plan International is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and strives to create a workplace environment that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. The organization emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children and young people, and candidates should be aware that pre-employment checks will be conducted in accordance with Plan International's policies.