Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser – Energy Sector

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The role – The Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser – Energy Sector will provide technical advice and support for the implementation of the Pacific Energy and Gender Strategic Action Plan (PEGSAP) and will lead the capacity building component. The position will focus on strengthening GEDSI approaches in program design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, reflection and learning.

The key responsibilities of the role include:

Provide technical assistance to support mainstreaming gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in the clean energy sector

• Lead integration of GEDSI approaches in the design and implementation of all program activities.
• Assist in gender and energy related research and analysis that informs activity design and implementation.
• Develop disability inclusion guidelines and provide support to ensure program interventions are inclusive of people with disability.
• Develop and monitor program do-no-harm and risk mitigation strategies.
• Support project reporting, planning, monitoring, evaluation, reflection and learning processes to ensure GEDSI approaches, indicators and metrics are incorporated and analysed.

Lead and provide capacity development support on gender and clean energy for internal and external stakeholders

• Conduct capacity needs assessment and develop a participatory capacity development plan on gender and energy for SPC GEP staff.
• Develop/adapt training materials and knowledge products on gender and energy for SPC GEP staff.
• Facilitate training and other capacity building initiatives to enhance SPC GEP staff understanding of gender and energy, and equip them with practical tools for gender mainstreaming.
• Collaborate with external consultants to provide ongoing support on gender-responsive energy policy-making for implementing stakeholders.
• Support development of strategy to support private sector stakeholders to promote increased women’s employment and entrepreneurship in the clean energy sector.
• Support implementing stakeholders to deliver training and support for female entrepreneurs to generate income through clean energy technologies.

Support stakeholder engagement, networking, and collaboration to advance program objectives

• Actively engage in working groups, Communities of Practice, and other technical committees.
• Represent SPC and actively engage in national, regional, and international forums as delegated by supervisor.
• Establish and maintain a knowledge management system to capture and document best practices, lessons learned, and evidence-based research on gender and energy.
• Promote a culture of learning and reflection by facilitating knowledge sharing sessions, disseminating good practices, and peer-to-peer networks on gender and energy across countries.
• Conduct research, as required, through the SPC Community of Practice or other SPC knowledge production initiatives.
• Ensure a multi-sectoral approach to gender in the energy sector through joint collaborations and advocacy at national and regional levels engaging with the national women’s machinery or Ministries and Departments of Women’s Affairs in PICTs.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• A post-graduate qualification in gender studies, social science, human rights, law, social policy, international development or a related discipline.

Technical expertise

• At least 7 years of development experience working in the field of human rights, gender equality and social inclusion, and/or youth development, in the Pacific region.
• Comprehensive understanding of contemporary GEDSI issues and stakeholders/networks in the Pacific region.
• Experience in the design and implementation of gender mainstreaming interventions in programs and policies (eg. gender analyses, gender impact assessments, gender-responsive budgeting, gender-responsive policy development, gender-sensitive MEL indicators and tools)
• Experience developing and facilitating participatory capacity building initiatives for diverse government and non-government audiences.
• Experience integrating disability inclusion approaches in program implementation.
• Experience integrating do-no-harm approaches in program implementation.
• Programming, developing, delivering, and reporting against work plans.

Language skills

• Fluency in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• High level interpersonal, communications, mentoring skills and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural team.
• Demonstrated strong management, coordination, communication, teamwork, and planning skills with proven ability to function effectively with multiple country counterparts in the various sectors.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 31 March 2027 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – The Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser – Energy Sector is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,575‒3,218 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately FJD 7,672–9,591 (USD 3,424–4,280; EUR 3,191–3,989). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews. Remuneration of expatriate SPC staff members is not subject to income tax in Fiji; Fiji nationals employed by SPC in Fiji will be subject to income tax.

Benefits for international employees based in Fiji – SPC provides a housing allowance of FJD 1,350–3,000 per month. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilingualism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s Privacy Policy.