Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Senior Associate

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) safeguards are fully integrated into GGGI’s Project Cycle Management. GGGI has recently increased its GESI ambition in alignment with GGGI´s GESI Strategy for 2021 – 2025, which includes the implementation Gender Equality and Poverty Reduction Policy Markers on all projects and the implementation of an Environmental, Social and Governance Safeguards toolkit providing guidance to mainstream environmental, social, and governance considerations in all workstreams.

GGGI is committed to uphold its Gender Equality Strategy and Sustainability and Safeguard Rules at all times to mainstream gender equality, social inclusion and poverty alleviation during projects and programs implementation. GGGI requires all its staff, downstream partners and private sector partners to comply with GGGI Rules on Integrity Due Diligence and Procurement Policy which reflect international standards and best practices.  

Since 2013, GGGI has been working with the Government of Colombia to advance green growth policies and green investments, through strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Treasury and Public Credit and the National Planning Department, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, among others. GGGI Colombia has grown significantly over the past few years and has transformed into a portfolio‑based country program, with programs and projects of varied size covering various GGGI Programmatic Solutions including Sustainable Forests, Solar PV, Climate Resilient Agriculture, Climate Action, and Green Investments.

POSITION SUMMARY

In close collaboration with the GGGI Colombia Office, the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Associate will ensure appliance of GGGI standards for GESI. The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Associate will steer the portfolio of projects; engaging with other members of the country team, LAC regional office and Headquarters, and with external stakeholders.

The Gender and Social Inclusion Associate will provide technical advice and guidance to other staff members and lead capacity building of internal staff and government officials in the area of gender, social inclusion, and safeguards. The GESI Senior Associate will act as focal point on all GESI-related activities and tasks, maintaining a proactive attitude to perform pre-identified GESI-related activities, as well as identify and pursue new/unidentified opportunities to enhance GGGI’s impact on gender quality and social inclusion.

The GESI Senior Associate will be based in GGGI Office in Bogota, Colombia. S/he will report directly to GGGI Colombia Country Representative.

PURPOSE

The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Senior Associate will engage in the integration of gender equality and social inclusion considerations and practices throughout GGGI projects’ cycle, from proposal development to delivery, including implementation, capacity building, monitoring, reporting and learning.   The GESI Senior Associate will act as focal point on all GESI-related activities and tasks-and it is expected to identify and pursue opportunities to enhance GGGI’s impact on gender equality, social inclusion, and environmental and social safeguards.

ENGAGEMENT

The GESI Senior Associate must be able to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse range of people within and outside of GGGI. S/he is expected to:

• Support Project Managers and work cross cuttingly with all projects of the Colombia GGGI’s portfolio.

• Advise and support staff to better integrate gender equality, poverty reduction, social inclusion, and safeguards aspects in projects, country programs and their communications.

• Advise counterparts to better integrate safeguards, gender equality, poverty reduction, social inclusion, and safeguards aspects in regional, national and subnational green growth strategies and plans. 

• Promote and maintain engagement with relevant stakeholders at the national and subnational levels to promote GGGI’s visibility and leadership in GESI and green growth-related matters.

DELIVERY

In close collaboration with Project Managers, the GESI Senior Associate is expected to:

• Integrate gender equality, poverty reduction and social inclusion outcomes, outputs, activities and indicators in project proposals.

• Support the development of strategies for mobilizing gender-responsive and inclusive, sustainable green finance across GGGI’s program.

• Delivery of capacity development/training workshops to staff/consultants, counterparts and beneficiaries about the gender and social dimensions of green growth. It is expected to provide conclusions and recommendations.

• Conceptualize, design and implement methodologies to promote meaningful participation of vulnerable and/ disadvantaged populations throughout the project cycle.

• Demonstrate success stories in GESI and their relation to green growth to staff members/consultants, counterparts, donors and external stakeholders. 

• Development of GESI knowledge products, briefs and presentations. 

• Propose GESI-disaggregated indicators to facilitate and improve monitoring and reporting processes.

• Design and conduct gender equality and social inclusion onboarding sessions for new GGGI staff.

• Development of GESI Stakeholder Engagement plans to identify relevant stakeholders and appropriate engagement strategies for each one. 

• Conceptualization, design and implementation of methodologies for project-level, national and subnational GESI assessments. 

• Prepare and implement a detailed work plan with objectives, actions, goals and indicators based on the diagnosis obtained to ensure mainstreaming of GESI themes in GGGI Colombia on thematic policies, strategies, and operational plans.

• In cooperation with the team, conduct capacity building sessions with counterparts to better integrate safeguards, gender equality, poverty reduction and social inclusion aspects in national and subnational green growth strategies and plans.

• Disseminate GGGI GESI knowledge by organizing knowledge and learning events, use of media and website, social media, and represent GGGI Colombia in external events.

REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Law, Anthropology, Sociology, Social and Sustainable Development, Public Policy, Economics, Human Rights or other relevant degree.

• An advanced degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Law, Anthropology, Sociology, Social and Sustainable Development, Public Policy, Economics, Human Rights or other relevant degree.

• Relevant professional experience designing and implementing GESI strategies and activities under the framework of sustainable development projects and programs.

• Preferred at least 5 years of relevant experience. 

• Verbal and written fluency in English and Spanish.

• Entrepreneurial and innovative in spirit and approach, with a comprehensive understanding of the significance of green growth to developing and emerging countries, as well as the financial implications and deep understanding of financial instruments that can fund climate ambitions and initiatives. 

• Experience working directly with one or more departments of multilateral or bilateral development institutions is desirable and would be an advantage.

• Proven experience and expertise with environmental and social safeguards is an advantage.

• Experience of working with high-level government officials, international organizations, multilateral development banks etc.

• Good understanding of the sustainable finance sector – knowledge of the regional banking sector a plus.

• Understanding of the institutional arrangements and processes for public investment is a plus.

FUNCTIONAL

• Excels at problem solving, ask questions and seeks support when needed, shares easily knowledge with others both internally as externally.

• Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.

• Excellent English and Spanish oral and written communication skills; including public speaking.

• Measured confidence to take on demanding work or put forward views when they may be challenged.

• Stays calm in a crisis and overcomes conflict easily. Handles competing demands. Overcomes setbacks. Welcomes and learns from feedback.

CORPORATE

• Understand and actively supports GGGI’s mission, vision and values.

• Promote the optimum use of public resources.

• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect and partnership.

• Process and share information easily.

• Manage emotions and stress positively, builds rapport and resolves conflict easily.

• Promote creativity and innovation among staff.

• Be able to lead where needed and provide solutions to project-level challenge.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The GESI Sr. Associate is a National Position at X7 grade level in GGGI’s national salary scale. The salary range for the position starts at USD 22,196 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. GGGI provides 15% of base salary towards retirement plan/long-term savings, 27 days of annual leave, and private health insurance that covers dental and vision.  GGGI is committed to providing a work environment that is sufficiently flexible to accommodate diverse life-cycle challenges and assist Staff members to achieve a better balance between work and personal/family commitments, thus ensuring high performance, long-term productivity, and well-being of Staff members. 

The chosen candidate is expected to be based in Bogotá, Colombia and will report directly to the Country Representative.