Gender Equality and Menstrual Health Hygiene Officer at United Purpose (UP)

United Purpose (UP) is an international development organisation that works to sustainably reduce poverty and improve the lives of some of the world's poorest communities. In Nigeria, UP has been working for almost two decades with local partners and rural communities to implement projects funded by international donors. Addressing areas of gender inequalities and rights abuses, improving sanitation and access to water, fostering accountability, preserving vital ecosystems, and developing sustainable development livelihoods.

In Nigeria, we partner with Federal, State and Local Governments, other civil society organisations, and communities to implement development interventions reaching thousands of rural people each year. Several funding partners currently fund the Nigeria Country Programme, including the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF – former WSSCC), the Unicef, the Welsh Government, etc.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Gender Equality and Menstrual Health Hygiene Officer

Location: Abuja
Reporting to: Project Manager
Responsible for: Gender EQND and MHH activities in the programme
Duration of Contract: One year with a yearly renewal of contract subject to performance and continued availability of funds
Expected Start Date of the Project: September 2022 (depending on the donor’s decision)

The Project

• United Purpose has been nominated SHF Primary Recipient in Nigeria for a three-year programme focused on the sanitation market in 3 states: Ogun, Bauchi and Jigawa. United Purpose is the consortium's lead, which regroups three other organisations.
• The Project Officer is a member of the programme team and provides technical assistance in overall LGA and non-state partner staff implementation. As part of the programme team, they would work closely with the UP Finance and Accounting Team, sub-grantees and LGA support staff.

Job Purpose

• The project will take a market-based approach to increase access to improved sanitation, hygiene and MHH services, developing product solutions and strategies that are evidence-based and effective, to be demonstrated for scaling.
• It will work in ODF, and OD Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi, Jigawa and Ogun states, developing and demonstrating context-specific approaches. It will incorporate global expertise on MBS and build the capacity of local NGOs.
• The program will define how MBS can effectively be combined with CLTS to move households directly from OD to durable, at least basic levels of service and test how OD communities can be raised on the sanitation ladder by MBS, reducing common risks of ODF slippage.
• More information about the background, aims and objectives of the SHF are found here: https://www.shfund.org/

The Role

• United Purpose (UP) is seeking a full-time, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer who will contribute to implementing activities for the project.
• This position will support the implementation of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) projects and is aimed at (WASH) professionals with good knowledge of WASH development issues. The initial focus of the post-holder is to promote Gender mainstreaming in the programme. Promote gender equality and gender balance in work and life issues.
• The Gender and Equality officer/Trainer will assist in advancing gender equality and female empowerment by ensuring full integration of gender issues in performance monitoring, evaluation, learning, and other activities supported by the programme.
• To support the MHH action plan of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs at the grassroots level – supported by SHF.

Duties and Responsibilities

• They will ensure gender integration and social inclusion are effectively considered for all program activities and methodologies that are culturally sensitive and results-oriented.
• They will also work with State, LGA and CSO partners to ensure gender integration and social inclusion are applied to their program design and activities and their organisational structure and management.
• The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the development and delivery of a high-quality programme that has at its centre a commitment to ensure that poor women and men benefit equally from development efforts.
• They will undertake analytical and advocacy work and be responsible for managing Gender, MHH and EQND related activities in the programme.
• Ensure that Gender Equality is applied throughout programme activities.
• Work with project staff to ensure Gender is appropriately integrated into all training and programme activities.
• Work with UP to support the activities of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD) and the National Technical Working Group (TWG) on MHH.
• Strategise methods to monitor instances of gender disparities and gender-based violence (GBV)
• Document successful activities and methodologies for gender integration.
• Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in establishing and implementing gender-sensitive monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting systems. Work closely with the M&E Officer to develop the data collection and analysis tools to guarantee gender and social inclusion considerations.
• Incorporate a Gender and Social Inclusion Integration Plan into the project's Annual Implementation Plan based on assessment findings and updated annually based on M&E data and participant/partner feedback. Report against progress on this plan every quarter.
• Provide partner organisations with ongoing gender integration and social inclusion technical assistance.
• Ensure the most vulnerable and marginalised populations are represented across all project components, including staff members, project participants, trainers, facilitators, speakers, evaluators etc. These can include indigenous persons; lesbian, gay, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons; and persons with disabilities. Understanding that girls and women tend to experience more marginalisation and increased vulnerability within these groups, emphasis will be placed on this population. Other types of marginalised people may be identified through analysis.
• Ensure activities budgeted can equally benefit males and females. In instances where this is not the case, provide a clear rationale that does not contradict the project's gender equality goals.
• Orient and train project staff on Gender and social inclusion sensitivity and approaches.
• Provide technical assistance to partners in assessing the strength of their approach to Gender mainstreaming across the programme cycle.
• Develop and maintain positive working relations with a vast network of partners, including Government, development partners, Parliament, media and NGOs.
• Represent the Organization at Government and relevant development partner meetings.
• Facilitate necessary training on gender, MHH and EQND related activities.
• Facilitate and strengthen enabling environments through collaboration and coordination to focus on addressing equality and non-discrimination (EQND) and, particularly, menstrual hygiene management (MHH) within sanitation and hygiene programming in both policy and practice.
• Ensure voice for those usually not heard.
• Support local stakeholders and work with partners to gradually achieve SDG 6.2 in these administrative areas, i.e. safe, equal and sustained access to sanitation and hygiene for everyone, emphasising women and girls and people in vulnerable situations, including menstrual hygiene management practices.
• Document and share learnings around Gender, MHH and EQND in the programme.
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports as per the approved format summarising the progress made in implementing activities, lessons learnt and recommendations for improvement, including ad hoc reports and human-interest stories that may be needed. In addition, contribute to updating the results-based framework in-line with Programme indicators every quarter with more detailed inputs for preparing annual reports.
• Carry out regular field visits to monitor the progress and quality of implementation of Gender MHH and EQND activities in programme LGAs.
• Undertake other responsibilities that may be assigned from time to time, contributing to the overall organisation's objective.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide feedback to partners and programme team on programmes' performance based on data collected and findings
• Assist the programme team in building the capacity of partners
• Assist State Programme team in conducting annual and quarterly planning and review processes
• Assist the MEAL, State Project Officer, and Project Manager in developing quarterly and annual reports
• Assist the State Project Officer and Project Manager in developing annual and quarterly work plans and budgets for the project
• Assist Project Officer in reviewing programme plans as part of the learning and sharing process.

Location:

• Abuja, regular travel to Ogun, Bauchi and Jigawa States is necessary. Travel to other parts of Nigeria and internationally may be required.

Qualifications

• At least a First Degree in Social Science, Sociology, Development Studies, Gender or field related to WASH, Development Communication or Behavioural Change Communication
• Knowledge and understanding of contextual diversity of various areas in project selected State.
• Knowledge of WASH issues, especially sanitation and hygiene challenges and opportunities, especially about MHH and EQND.
• Knowledge of participatory research methods and action learnings.
• Experience building capacity of local stakeholders on gender and social inclusion issues.
• Experience integrating social inclusion in community participatory engagement or advocacy preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory and organisational skills.
• Experience engaging local stakeholders, including CSOs, members of Parliament, and other local and national government leaders in gender and social inclusion initiatives.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and effectively with civil society organisations, donors, project staff, and other beneficiaries.

Experience:

• At least three years of relevant experience in Gender-related and WASH projects, funded by international donors.
• Relevant knowledge and experience in an international and intercultural environment.
• Proven track record of capacity building/training.
• Solid knowledge and understanding of community-based approaches to development.

Skills:

• Excellent planning, coordination, and prioritisation skills
• Strong facilitation, diplomatic, and interpersonal skills
• Good command of writing in English
• Excellent communication and team-working skills with the ability to build good relations, both internally and externally
• Good computer knowledge with command of MS Office
• Ability to facilitate training for community-based organisations and government stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse and performance-related environment
• A proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction.

Desirable:

• Gender, intercultural and interfaith sensitivity.
• Willing to work additional hours at crucial times.
• Positive outlook and stand-alone disposition.
• Adaptable and responsive disposition relative to the demands and development of the programme.

Languages:

• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Another language is a plus.

What We Offer

• An attractive package dependent on the successful candidate's experience and qualifications.
• This position offers the opportunity to gain experience with an international NGO whilst receiving mentoring and learning on best practice global WASH approaches and issues. We provide a competitive salary and benefits package and, above all, a respectful and empowering working place.

Application Closing Date
30th June, 2022.