The goal of the Gender Coordinator is to ensure that consideration of the specific gender-based constraints faced by women and men are integrated into all aspects of the GROW project.  This integration will be critical to the project’s ability to facilitate sustained change for women farmers and their families.

The Gender Coordinator will work closely with project implementing partners to ensure that they are also bringing a gender lens to their outreach to community leaders, men and women in the areas where the project is operating.  Specifically the Gender Coordinator will assist in the design and delivery of training for these partners and with each partner, identify a gender focal point on the partner’s project team.  Through these designated focal points, the Gender Coordinator will provide on-going capacity building to the teams regarding the integration of gender analysis into the project’s implementation.

There may be opportunities to provide gender information and training to other project partners and stakeholders. This could take the form of preparing and delivering workshops for a range of project stakeholder to ensure they understand the specific gender context in which the project is working and the unique constrains women farmers face and how the project is providing support to overcome these barriers.

The Gender Coordinator will work closely with MEDA’s Headquarters-based Gender Advisor.  The Gender Advisor will design and deliver gender training for the GROW staff and by including the Gender Coordinator in this event will provide on-the-job training.  This direct interaction will be supplemented by regular distance consultation and field visits.

The Gender Coordinator will report to the Program Coordinator and will coordinate closely with the Agriculture Technical Specialist, Financial Services Specialist, Value Chain Coordinator and the Nutrition Coordinator to ensure that project interventions are shaped by gender considerations.

Duties

•   Develop contacts with other gender specialists working in the area as well as women serving organizations focused on gender issues.  Identify resources on which the project can draw to deepen the understanding of gender constraints by staff, partners and clients.
•   Regularly consult with MEDA Gender Advisor and support her regular field visits
•   With the assistance of the MEDA Gender Advisor:
1) Extend the current gender analysis to more clearly understand the specific roles/responsibilities, access/control, decision making/power and needs/priorities of women in the communities in which the project operates
2) Assess the extension information needs of women farmers, focusing on content, timing and most appropriate distribution channels and the current input supply services being provided including an assessment of the needs of women farmers focusing on content, timing and most appropriate distribution channels
3) Assist in the design and delivery of gender training for staff and partners.
•   Work closely with other project team members to remain current on project implementation and to consistently assist the project team to integrate gender considerations into implementation plans and activities.
•   With the Key Facilitating Partners identify gender focal points on each project facilitation team and work closely with these contacts to continue to learn about gender issues at that community level as well as to provide support to the partners’ teams to assist women in addressing barriers to full economic participation.
•   Continuously research new resources that can strengthen the project team and partners and expand their understanding of gender dynamics to strengthen project outcomes.
•   Facilitate gender training for women farmers and their families, particularly following-up to strengthen the capacity of families to incorporate this training into family dynamics.
•   Participate in project planning, monitoring and evaluation, identification of lessons learned and ongoing improvement of project implementation as needed.
•   Will act as point-person for one of MEDA’s Key Facilitating Partners
•   Carry out tasks as assigned by supervisor and project management team.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Demonstrated understanding of gender issues and analytical tools and approaches
•   Experience working on women-focused programs.
•   Degree in a related field  and minimum of 3 years’ experience in programming designed to assist women to improve their economic situation
•   Demonstrated ability to work well with others
•   Comfort in public presentation and the ability to clearly articulate ideas and design/deliver participatory training.
•   Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals

Location: Upper West Region

How To Apply For The Job

Please submit letter of application and resume to:-

grow@meda.org

Closing Date: 01 January, 2015

•   Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted