Gender Specialist – Burkina Faso and Niger

The Gender Advisor is a full-time position for an upcoming award in Burkina Faso and Niger to strengthen and improve the quality of health, family planning and nutrition services provided by local clinics and referral centers. It will also strengthen government systems of support and oversight for village health workers, community engagement in health service delivery accountability, and assist in developing linkages among health services and with other development sectors. The mechanism will provide a means of involvement and collaborative ideation by a wide spectrum of participants from family planning, maternal child health, nutrition, communities, and the health sector. Palladium is hiring a Gender Advisor in Burkina Faso and Niger to lead and provide strategic direction for the family planning and reproductive health work provided in facilities and the community through this project.

Reports to: RISE II Country Director Duration: 5 years Locations: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Niamey, Niger

• Lead development and implementation of the project gender strategy in collaboration with technical leads and senior management staff.
• Consult with project leadership and technical advisors to design, implement, and monitor gender-integrated project service delivery and community-focused activities.
• Support the health sector to integrate gender into planning, and deliver sustainable training mechanisms for improved, gender-sensitive health services
• Actively participate in the development of annual work plans and the design, implementation, and reporting related to project technical activities
• Lead periodic project reviews to assess progress towards meeting gender targets and goals outlined in the project gender strategy.
• Conduct regular trainings and technical updates on gender technical approaches for project staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Advise project staff on ways to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality through program interventions, and advise on how to tailor each intervention to ensure that women, men and youth can attend and participate fully.
• Develop and apply gender assessment tools, training materials, and capacity strengthening plans, as required by project activities.
• Develop, review, and/or prepare necessary technical and program-related reports, including presentations, briefs and working papers in consultation with project leadership and the Project Director.
• Review and provide recommendations to project staff for improved integration of gender into existing service delivery guidelines and training curricula
• Ensure effective coordination with USAID gender strategies and projects, other donors and implementing partners around gender-related trainings and technical assistance to the health sector.
• Coordinate with Breakthrough Action on appropriate gender-relevant evidence and data to support social and behavior change efforts.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Bachelor’s degree in social science, public health, gender studies, public policy, or related field, Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience working in gender with national/international NGOs or public sector institutions in Niger’s or Burkina Faso’s; understanding of and experience working with the health sector strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in promoting gender equality in health policy, programs, and service delivery.
• Experience in planning, facilitating, and follow-up/reporting on gender trainings, workshops, and events with senior policy makers and senior project management staff.
• Experience working at the community level and understanding communities’ needs.
• Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to develop reports, presentations and working papers independently.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong program management skills are highly desired.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, writing, presentation, and organizational skills are required.
• Excellent computer skills, including use of MS Office and internet/e-mail.
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a required timeframe.