I. Background:
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non-denominational, development agency promoting creative solutions to problems that impede social development. AKF (East Africa) seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, literacy and health, with a special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in coastal and other resource-poor areas. AKF (EA) works in five sectors including Health, Education, Early Childhood Development, Rural Development and Civil Society enhancement. Over the last several years, AKF (EA)’s programs have evolved and expanded in response to government policies, beneficiary demand and assessment of needs. In order to optimize AKF (EA)’s efficiency and effectiveness as a development actor in the region, it seeks to support and improve innovations that create viable solutions to community problems that impede development.

Are you interested in finding innovative ways to improve education opportunities for children of East Africa? AKF is seeking dynamic, creative and experienced Gender Support Officers (GSO) (three positions) to take the lead as persons responsible for gender within the SESEA educational project. SESEA is a five-year project co-funded by Global Affairs Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation, Canada that aims to sustainably improve learning outcomes, with a particular focus on literacy and numeracy, for pre-primary and primary children in target areas of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The project aims to leverage assets of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) institutions to achieve broad, systematic, and distinctive impact on the quality of teaching in the region in both public and private education systems. Specifically, the project builds on the experience and gains made by various AKDN institutions working in the education sector in East Africa, including Aga Khan University-Institute for Educational Development, Aga Khan Academies, Aga Khan Education Services, and Aga Khan Foundation.

The SESEA project is currently in its fourth quarter of its third year of implementation, and is scheduled to end in December 2017. This position will therefore be project-funded for a period of 21 months, and will be based at the respective project sites in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

II. Job Objective:
Provide technical guidance to explicitly and systematically integrate gender equality considerations (activities, outputs, and results) at all stages of the project, including budgetary provisions where possible. The GSO will ensure effective implementation of the SESEA Gender Equality Strategy by AKDN SESEA implementing agencies and partners.

III. Responsibilities:
The GSO will be responsible for providing targeted expertise to ensure gender is integrated into all aspects of SESEA project implementation. The GSO will also strengthen the capacity of AKDN implementing agencies, to address gender barriers and identify specific opportunities for improving and mainstreaming gender equality through project activities. The GSO will work with SESEA project teams and partners to support gender integration into project activities, including monitoring and evaluation tools. The key functions of the GSO will include:

Coordinating gender mainstreaming
Providing technical support to the project team
Knowledge management and sharing
Monitoring and reporting on gender issues

i. Coordinating gender mainstreaming:
Set priorities, and develop and implement a clear and comprehensive gender action plan to redress gender concerns within respective SESEA implementing agencies.
Provide input and comments on development of project/program plans, budgets, reports and agency policies, and make recommendations for improvement.
Review, edit, and comment on gender achievements contained in the agency monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual progress reports as appropriate.
ii. Providing technical support to the project team:

Provide advice and support to project staff, managers, and partners on the SESEA Gender Equality Strategy and implementation of key gender components across all activities
Analyze and ensure interventions are sensitive and responsive to gender issues in education, within respective project locations.
Support the updating and sharing of recent developments and knowledge tools in the areas of interventions.
Participate in program team meetings, campaigns, and civil society forums and ensure gender topics are considered and discussed.

iii. Knowledge management and sharing:
Assist in data collection, compiling lessons learned, and establishing indicators to support knowledge sharing.
Assist in the development of concept notes and project documents on gender issues, as directed by the supervisor.
Participate in the gender-related community of practice in the region.
Support the writing of stories related to program and project developments, as they relate to gender equality issues.
Provide support to different partners/civil society organizations in all SESEA project activities.

iv. Monitor and report on gender issues:
Work with teams to review training resources, and monitor and report on project-related gender issues.
Provide feedback to the project team to ensure practical implementation of activities related to the SESEA Gender Integration Guidelines and Gender Equality Strategy.
Guide development and/or review of M&E tools – specifically the verification, indicators, and analyses matrix to monitor implementation of gender mainstreaming.
Prepare timely and quality monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports to share with the Program Manager and SESEA Program Coordinator at the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) PCU.
Perform any additional duties assigned by the Program Manager or Program Coordinator, as required.

IV. Required Qualifications and Experience:
The GSOs should meet the following criteria in terms of qualifications, technical competencies, and experience:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, particularly gender studies, education, or the social sciences.
Minimum of three (3) years’ of relevant experience in gender mainstreaming into projects/programs.
Experience working with NGOs, government agencies, and donor-funded projects.
Experience in conducting gender reviews, gender integration, and implementing gender equality activities in international development projects, particularly in the education sector.
Knowledge of and in experience of results-based monitoring and evaluation, with particular attention to assessing gender equality results.
Superb analytical, organizational, interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Proven ability to meet strict reporting deadlines and produce results.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Training in project planning, management, and Monitoring and Evaluation is an added asset.

V. Other Competencies:
Ability to multi-task, work independently, take initiative, and manage a variety of activities simultaneously.
Flexible, innovative, and dynamic team player with strong facilitation and coordination skills.
Willingness to travel to project locations within the respective project implementation sites.
Experience in the East African development context is an asset.
Experience with Global Affairs, Canada and other bilateral donors is an asset.
Language proficiency in Swahili (Kenya and Tanzania) and one local language in West Nile Region (Uganda) is strongly recommended.

HOW TO APPLY:
VI. How to Apply:
Interested applicants are requested to submit their application with CV including desired project location, Cover letter explaining why they are best suited for the position and names and contact information of three referees by 7th February, 2016 to the Human Resource Officer, Aga Khan Foundation (East Africa) by e-mail to: recruitment@akfea.org.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. *www.akdn.org.**