National Gender Equality & Social Inclusion / Women’s Economic Empowerment Adviser

BACKGROUND

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation driven by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Founded in the Netherlands in 1965, we have built a long-term country presence in over 24 countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Our global team of local and international advisors works with local partners to equip communities, businesses, and organizations with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to markets and basic services - empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development. Our work focuses on three sectors - Agriculture, Energy, and Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (WASH).

SNV has been working in Viet Nam since 1995, and currently has over 30 national and international staff. SNV Viet Nam’s team works hand-in-hand with communities, government agencies, and businesses in more than 50 provinces, including the remotest and poorest areas of the country. We operate from a country head office in Hanoi and regional offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Dalat.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Poverty and vulnerability are predominantly rural phenomena in Viet Nam, and the agriculture sector remains of critical importance to rural socio-economic development, employment, and livelihoods. Viet Nam has become an agricultural powerhouse – a leading global producer and exporter of many key agricultural commodity crops. However, agricultural production in Viet Nam remains dominated by smallholder farmers, who, as the Covid-19 pandemic has shown, are extremely vulnerable to commodity price shocks, market fluctuations and supply-chain disruptions. In addition, Viet Nam is widely recognized as being one of the countries most adversely impacted by climate change due to the large proportion of the population living in low-lying coastal and delta regions and dependent on land and agriculture for their livelihoods.

Considering the above, agriculture is SNV Viet Nam’s largest sector and our programme today is strongly focused around promoting socially-inclusive climate resilient agriculture. In recent years, SNV Viet Nam has implemented a wide range of projects promoting climate smart approaches and inclusive value-chain development throughout the country in numerous sub-sectors, including rice, shrimp, coffee, fruits, vegetables and spices. Many of our interventions have supported vulnerable groups such as ethnic minority groups in Viet Nam’s rural uplands access markets and opportunities and we are a leading implementer of women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in agricultural value chains.

Globally, SNV has committed to the Gender Practitioner Collaborative’s Minimum Standards for Mainstreaming Gender Equality. Meanwhile, SNV Viet Nam is continuing to implement and developing a number of new agriculture sector projects funded by various clients and donors. Therefore, we are seeking a dynamic, experienced and highly motivated Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) / WEE Adviser to provide technical advice and lead our efforts to integrate GESI across our agriculture programme[1], and help build our institutional capacity to design and deliver high-quality gender-sensitive and gender-responsive and socially inclusive projects in the agriculture sector in Viet Nam.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

The GESI / WEE Adviser will report to the SNV Viet Nam Agriculture Sector Leader and is expected to perform the following key tasks and responsibilities:

Project Design & Development:

• Conduct or manage/oversee GESI assessments and analyses to inform the design and development of gender-sensitive/ responsive projects or investments in the agriculture sector, or projects that specifically support WEE in agricultural value chains
• Identification of practical activities to ensure gender and social inequalities are addressed in design of new projects.
• Elaboration of GESI Action Plans (GAPs) where appropriate or required according to donor safeguard requirements.

Project Implementation:

• Review existing projects and develop pragmatic strategies and actions to improve the integration of GESI in implementation.
• Lead the technical assistance (applying and adapting SNV approaches and tools), or oversee the management of consultants, for key project activities promoting GESI/WEE such as conducting GESI audits and/or GESI self-assessments with agribusinesses that SNV works with; development and delivery of training on GESI/WEE for different types of project stakeholders including public and private sector partners, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), agricultural cooperatives and smallholder farmers; facilitation of intra-household/community dialogues and behaviour change activities.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Assist the team to integrate GESI into the design of baseline assessments that collect age- and sex-disaggregated data (SADD) and identify appropriate GESI targets and related indicators as well as GESI-related monitoring methods for project M&E
• Work with project teams to ensure the regular collection of data and other information for monitoring performance against GESI/WEE objectives
• Work with independent evaluators during mid-term and endline project evaluations on GESI-related aspects of project performance

Capacity-building:

• In liaison with SNV’s Global Technical Adviser (GTA) on GESI for the Agriculture Sector in The Netherlands contribute to the design and roll out of capacity-building and training for SNV staff on GESI/WEE in SNV’s agriculture sector.

Learning, Knowledge Management and Communications:

• Review project experiences and through reflective practices, identify lessons learned on and refine/improve SNV’s GESI and WEE approaches and tools and develop documents (e.g. presentations, briefs/case studies, guides, blogs/web articles) as appropriate for internal and external learning, knowledge management and communications.

Business Development:

• Identify and track potential business opportunities for SNV, advise on positioning with competitors/partners, and contribute to and support the development of project proposals (or sections thereof) relating to GESI/WEE in the agriculture sector

Networking and Representation:

• As a senior staff member proactively develop and maintain relationships with development partners, donors, local organisations (e.g. women’s organisations) and relevant government agencies
• Actively participate in and contribute to national policy dialogues, platforms and working groups pertaining to climate change and sustainable agriculture (e.g. the Climate Change Working Group), acting as a knowledgeable face of the SNV organisation with partners particularly on topics related to GESI and WEE.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 

Education:

• Master’s degree in gender studies, sociology, anthropology, international development, or related fields; or alternatively agricultural economics/science (but with substantive practical experience of GESI/WEE and advanced understanding of concepts and methodologies).

Experience:

• At least 7 years direct GESI/WEE experience, including specific knowledge and experience in the agriculture sector
• Experience in conducting gender analysis/assessments and development of gender-sensitive or responsive projects with strong private sector engagement
• Familiarity with and demonstrable experience of environmental and social safeguards frameworks (especially gender-related requirements) of major development banks and development agencies (e.g. World Bank, ADB, IFC, GCF, DFAT, USAID etc) would be desirable

Contract duration:

• The position is offered as a full-time national staff contract for a term of 1 year with possible extension.

Working at SNV:

• SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment.
• This position is ideally based out of the Country head office in Ha Noi (but Ho Chi Minh City can also be considered)

How to Apply:

Please apply by clicking on the I'm Interested button and complete your application in our in-house recruitment system on or before 20th June 2022. 

Please indicate the position of the title in your application letter

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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