Job Description Position Gender Advisor Grade D2 Department Date 1 st March 2012 & Location Program/ Country Office in Dhaka, Bangladesh Reports to Deputy Country Director- Programmes (position): Purpose: Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalised with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively. Please see http://planinternational.org/about-plan for Plan s Strategy. Plan Bangladesh is presently implementing its third country strategic plan (CSP III) developed for five years covering fiscal year 2011 to 2015. The strategic choice has been defined to implement four programs such as 1) Quality Primary Education 2) Community- Managed Health Care 3) Protection of Vulnerable Children and 4) Disaster Risk Management where participation, protection, gender and family economic security will be mainstreamed in to the above four programs. Plan s commitment to gender Equality is based on the international standards established by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). According to the Global Gender Policy 2011, Plan believes that gender equality is central to achieving our vision for change. Girls and boys have the same rights, but they are not able to realize them to the same degree. Achieving gender equality is therefore a core objective of Plan s work as an organization dedicated for child rights. In view of the above the Gender Advisor will be responsible to steer the promotion of Gender Equality in organization with particular emphasis on girls issues that are defined by gender discrimination including gender based violence, stereotyping and unequal power relations between men and women, and boys and girls in the interest of promoting the rights of children. To represents Plan in inter-agency gender networks and build relationship with government and non-government institutions at national and sub-national levels for effective sharing of learning and complementation of technical and financial resources. To facilitate initiatives related to Because I am a Girl (BIAAG) campaign so that it is translated into effective and innovative programs and other initiatives benefiting children. Dimensions of Role: This position reports to Deputy Country Director Programs of Plan Bangladesh. It will keep a functional relationship with Advisors, specialists, operational teams, gender trainers pool, gender point persons, MER and communication team for effective gender mainstreamed programming; organizational climate and practices that encourage gender equality. Represent Plan Bangladesh in national, regional and international forums related to program development and advocacy issues.
Key End Results and typical Responsibilities: What is done and why, but not actions or how ; include indicators for success Key Results Area (KRA) 1: To lead Gender Equality Capacity Building Programme for staff to equip with skills, knowledge and attitudes on Gender Equality Country Office Action Plan on Gender Capacity building training is developed and implemented effectively Developed effectivetrainer s pool for facilitating capacity building training within Plan and Partner organizations Delivered foundation and advanced training programmes for Plan staff on gender equality Develop country-specific gender policy and gender strategy Key Result Area (KRA) 2: To facilitate Gender focused and gender-mainstreamed programmes, practices at all levels of the organization by providing timely and on-going technical support and direction. Country Strategic Plan (CSP), PU Long-Term Plans and Project Outline are rated according to Plan s Gender Equality Programme criteria for mainstreaming gender and effective gender aware and gender transformative programmes to ensure achievement of the organization s strategic goals. A gender analysis of child rights is conducted in all programme design Core PALS guidelines are reviewed and modified to incorporate Plan s standards on Gender Equality Key Result Area (KRA) 3: To review existing policies and systems to promote gender friendly workplace and organizational culture Gender Equality Self Assessment Process (GESA) is undertaken across Plan areas and actions are put in place to raise and maintain a high score Gender Strategy/Action Plan is developed so that it establishes Plan s commitment, expertise and position on gender equality. Support is extended for the inclusion and mainstreaming of Gender equality in Plan s HR, culture and other organizational processes by supporting People & Culture Manager. Support is extended to integrate Gender Equality measures in performance appraisal systems and job descriptions of staff. Key Result Area (KRA) 4: To build Capacity of partners in achieving gender equality
Partners implement gender equality lens in programmes, including in implementation, reporting, monitoring, evaluation and documentation. Ensured capacity building training of partners by trainers pool in achieving gender equality Ensured integration of gender equality in Partnership assessment tool. Summary version of Gender Equality Policy is available to partners. Key Result Area (KRA) 5: To support and roll-out the BIAAG programme at different levels Lead on development of the BIAAG programme ensuring quality integration of BIAAG aims with all relevant programmes, monitoring and evaluation Partnerships with the key actors are established and/or strengthened, particularly for advocacy. Plan s representation is ensured in important national and regional forums/networks in the field of Gender equality to increase Plan s visibility in the area Involved Citizen Initiatives on CEDAW Bangladesh (CIC BD) for contributing to Alternative report from women and child rights perspective. Lessons learned, best practices and models are shared within the organization and among other stakeholders in the country. Key Result Area (KRA) 6: To extend support to communication team for developing gender sensitive messages and materials Reviewed module, materials, publications etc. and integrated Plan s commitment to Gender Equality. Supported training to build up the capacity of communication staff and partners on Plan Policy on Gender Equality. Dealing with Problems: Application of knowledge required for the role, complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them. The Gender Advisor is responsible for influencing and supporting the country management team to strengthen their commitments to gender equality with actions and in setting accountability mechanism for the standards of gender equality; She/he will be responsible for facilitating and establishing the benchmark for gender equality across the organization that are appropriate to the operating contexts of the country; Advocate for an organizational culture that exemplifies Plan s commitment to gender equality She/he will also advise on gender in emergencies and/or post-conflict situations as well as other unique operating contexts of the country with both State and Non State Actors and; She/he will ensure that Plan s CCCD and Child Protection principles are adhered to strengthen Plan s efforts to advocate equal rights for girls and boys. Communications and Working Relationships: Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact Internal contact
Position Reasons for contact Level (high, medium, low) People and Culture Manager For staff capacity building, ensuring gender equality in HR policy, performance appraisal systems and Job descriptions Advisors For program design, integration and technical inputs, setting standards of gender equality Gender Specialists/Point For review modules, communication Medium persons/communication team materials etc. Operational teams/pum For Gender sensitive program Gender trainers pool Capacity building support to facilitate gender equality capacity building training MER For integration of gender equality strategy and mainstreaming gender Medium External contact Position Reasons for contact Level (high, medium, low) Govt. authorities/ngo Advocating project issues and maintaining Medium liaison for securing directives towards implementation of Plan program at CO Other development organizations For collaboration and partnership on including partner organizations specific project/program issues related to girls and women empowerment Network organizations Represent Plan in national platforms working on promoting gender equality issues. Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role s Objectives: Gained through education, training, & experience Education Experience: Master s degree preferably in social science, Sociology, Development Studies, Gender and Development, International Affairs, Law or other relevant field. At least 8-10 years experience in senior management position especially in the field of gender and development in any development organization. Experience in rights based program development and management on women s and girls empowerment is mandatory. Relevant training from home and abroad is preferred. Core competencies: (Set of knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for all Plan-Bangladesh staff) Understanding Plan: Understands the role of Plan and context in which Plan works (proficient) Leadership: Cultivates an environment where people are confident to take the initiative, be innovative and learn new ways of working (proficient) Communicates effectively: Adopts an appropriate communication style when communicating with the whole range of colleagues, partners, Children and communities; exhibits active listening and effective feedback; ability to clearly and convincingly express thoughts and ideas in written and verbal form (proficient) Facilitating CCCD: Adopts appropriate tools and methodologies to facilitate disadvantaged children, families (knowledgeable) Management: Manage resources (staff, budgets and work) to deliver results to agreed quality standards; able to apply planning-leading-organizing-controlling skills (proficient)
Positive team style: Adopts a team style which adds value to work and reinforces good working practices Child protection awareness: Demonstrates an understanding about the Child Protection Policy and compliance, applies the possible protection measures within the scope of job, and provides inputs for strengthening child protection measures. (knowledgeable) Functional competencies: (Set of knowledge, skills and attitudes specific to the managerial, technical or support requirements of the position which may also be discipline specific) Rights based Development: Knowledge and clear understanding on human rights, gender and development, violence against women within the social context of Bangladesh and /or similar culture, social norms and practices (proficient) Development management: Understanding of the ability to serve as development catalyst and practitioner given the country context, Plan mandate and the specific programs for the promotion of gender equality (proficient) Networking and collaboration: Establishes good relationships with stakeholders, works cooperatively with other units, maintains networks outside the organization (proficient) Facilitation Skills: Effectively handles discussions with a focus on both groups and individuals to enrich participant s understanding of particular subjects or solutions, understands process and can diagnose group needs and incentives (proficient) Advocacy skill: Ability to devise strategies, take actions and propose solutions to influence decisionmaking at the local and national level to create positive change for people and their environment (specific to domestic violence and human rights aspects)- proficient Negotiation skills: Effectively handles partnership elements like contracts/ MOUs, effectively sortsout mutual expectations among partners ( including donor), influence positively stakeholders towards a common goal (proficient) Risk Management and conflict management: Understand /can assess potential risks while handling resources. Can assess effectively environmental hazards/political situation and develop alternative strategies (risk mitigation strategies) Demonstrates the attitudes of: Integrity, transparency, proactive stance Promotes innovation and learning Flexible, adaptive while maintaining the big picture Working with team in achieving goals Gender sensitivity and inclusion of those with special needs Physical Environment and Demands: May be typical office environment ; note if heavy lifting, climbing, excess travel, etc. Based at BCO with at least 40% travel to projects areas, donor agencies, government offices and partner organization. Level of Contact with Children: Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children level: Frequent interaction with children Please attach an organization chart of your department:
Certification We have carefully reviewed this Job Description and are satisfied that it fully and accurately describes the requirements of the position. MANAGER: Name Signature Date I have read the Job Description and agree to undertake the activities and responsibilities specified. I also acknowledge that this profile is an indicative indication of job activities and I understand that I may be required to undertake additional tasks as required within the mandate of Plan. POSITION HOLDER Name Signature Date