Gender Specialist for the Resilience Knowledge Hub

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization founded on the belief that a better world is possible. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, focusing on disaster relief, poverty alleviation, and community development. The organization aims to empower communities to overcome adversity and build resilience through innovative solutions and partnerships. In Zimbabwe, Mercy Corps has been active since 2002, implementing programs that promote small-scale agriculture and enhance local economies, particularly in response to the ongoing environmental and economic challenges faced by the country.

Job Overview:
The Gender Specialist for the Resilience Knowledge Hub will play a pivotal role in leading gender and resilience context analyses, developing practical implementation plans, and designing training programs aligned with the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF) gender strategy. This position requires collaboration with ZRBF implementing partners to create, coordinate, and monitor a comprehensive gender strategy and action plan. The specialist will also ensure adherence to Mercy Corps Gender Minimum Standards and foster a supportive team culture. The overarching goal of the Resilience Knowledge Hub project is to enhance the capacity of ZRBF partners in understanding and applying resilience concepts and methodologies, thereby driving the resilience agenda as outlined in the Zimbabwe Resilience Strategic Framework. This role will also involve providing advisory support to partners in conducting gender analyses and improving planning and implementation processes, ultimately informing strategic decisions regarding funding and investments in a rapidly changing environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Gender Specialist will be responsible for leading gender and resilience context analyses, developing a gender strategy based on these analyses, and creating gender action plans to support ZRBF partners. Key responsibilities include providing technical support on gender best practices, collaborating with gender focal points to address gaps in programming, designing and delivering customized gender training, and maintaining a gender-related research database. The specialist will compile content for innovative learning tools and materials, initiate knowledge generation on gender and resilience themes, and support the Team Leader in reporting on program activities. Additionally, the role involves contributing to organizational learning and ensuring accountability to participants, while actively engaging communities in project design and evaluation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in gender studies, social sciences, rural development, agricultural economics, anthropology, development studies, or a closely related field. A minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in gender equality, gender mainstreaming, or a related role is required. Experience in designing and facilitating training on gender issues, as well as solid experience in monitoring and evaluating gender components in projects, is essential. Familiarity with gender mainstreaming in resilience programs is an advantage, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to shifting circumstances. Experience in the Zimbabwean context is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in relevant fields such as gender/women studies, social sciences, rural development, agricultural economics, anthropology, or development studies. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of gender issues and their integration into resilience programming.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 to 7 years of relevant experience in gender equality and gender mainstreaming. This experience should include designing and facilitating training on gender issues, as well as monitoring and evaluating gender components in various projects. Familiarity with resilience programs and the Zimbabwean context will be considered an asset, as it will enhance the candidate's ability to navigate the specific challenges and opportunities present in the region.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the international nature of Mercy Corps and the need for effective communication with partners and stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages may be advantageous for engaging with communities and participants.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government entities and partner organizations. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a culture of learning and accountability within Mercy Corps, dedicating a portion of their time to learning activities that benefit both the organization and their professional development. The role emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and ethical conduct, with a commitment to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse, ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment.