Location: Ottawa preferred (Toronto / Montreal possible)
Reports to: Senior Manager, Program Development and Innovation (PDSI)
Status: Permanent, Full-time
Bargaining Unit Status: Included
Classification: Band 5
Salary range: CA$63,567 – CA$77,450
Language requirements: English & French Essential, Spanish desirable
ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL
Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Cuso International presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Find out more at www.cusointernational.org
ABOUT THE ROLE
The PA, GESI is the subject matter expert for the promotion and strengthening of GESI-related programming, processes, tools, and related activities of Cuso International (Cuso). Cuso’s GESI work includes advocating for the rights of women and girls, promoting the economic empowerment of marginalized groups, inclusion of new masculinities in programming and strengthening access by marginalized groups to basic services, such as quality sexual and reproductive health services, education and training. This role is central to successful program/project delivery, high-quality technical assistance, knowledge management and thought leadership.
As member of the Program Development, Strategy, and Innovation (PDSI) Team, the PA, GESI serves as the subject matter expert for the promotion and strengthening of GESI related programming and for mainstreaming GESI across all functions of the organization. The PA, GESI will work closely with the Head of Programs, regional offices, country program offices (CPOs) and various teams within Cuso International, such as the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Team, to ensure the principles of GESI are integrated into all aspects of project design and implementation. The PA, GESI will provide programmatic and technical support to CPOs to effectively integrate GESI into programming, including Cuso International’s Global MEAL Framework, specifically emphasizing the equity and inclusion of marginalized groups. The PA, GESI will also support capacity building of Cuso International staff, volunteers and partners to mainstream GESI and provide necessary guidance related to GESI mainstreaming within Cuso International’s internal operations and processes, including in recruitment and HR policies.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Development (35%)
- Provide evidence-based guidance and thought leadership for the full integration of GESI in the design of project ideas, concept notes and proposals, including gender-sensitive program design, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.
- Collaborate with fellow PDSI Team colleagues on the development of proposals and concept notes for a variety of donors, including carrying-out initial gender analysis, integrating GESI into concept design and writing/editing sections of concept notes/proposals when required.
- Ensure GESI is a cross-cutting theme within all new program/projects. For concept notes and proposals that are not focused specifically on GESI, review drafts at an early stage to ensure that they are gender sensitive, and write in improvements.
- For GESI specific opportunities, lead on or participate in proposal-writing for these projects in collaboration with other colleagues in the PDSI team.
- Develop and regularly update Cuso's International GESI systems and ensure integration into program/project design.
- Coordinate with PSDI Team on design of thought leadership activities positioning Cuso as a thought leader in GESI, including contributing to/leading research initiatives Network and look for program development and partnership opportunities through communities of practice and involvement at sector-related events, developing relationships, exchanging and disseminating knowledge, and promoting learning.
- Networking and development relationships as a means to look for program development partnership opportunities and gathering intel on funding opportunities, contributing to communities of practice and involvement at sector-related events, developing relationships, exchanging and disseminating knowledge, and promoting learning.
Technical Support to Program Implementation (35%)
- Lead the promotion and strengthening of GESI-related programming, processes and tools within CPOs and Cuso International’s Canada office.
- Provide expertise and guidance on subject matter relevant to programming, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), power and participation in decision-making, sexual reproductive and health rights (SRHR) and economic empowerment of marginalized groups.
- Collaborate with CPOs and teams at Cuso International’s Canada office to mainstream GESI into respective activities, including safety and security, MEAL, human resources and training.
- Collaborate with the MEAL Team on the design of Cuso International’s Global MEAL Framework ensuring GESI is fully integrated into the Framework, global indicators and associated activities.
Training and Capacity Building (20%)
- Build relationships with and conduct proactive outreach with CPOs and teams at Cuso International’s Canada office and provide technical assistance and organizational training on socially inclusive and gender-responsive practices for the successful and impactful delivery of GESI activities throughout the project life-cycle, including support on PSEA and Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) activities.
- Design, develop and promote GESI learning tools and knowledge products for Cuso International staff, volunteers and partners to strengthen activities and align with sector evidence and best practice.
Internal Workplace Policies and Implementation (5%)
- Be an active participant in the innovation movement on GESI at Cuso International which aims at improving programs, increasing our impact and maintaining leadership position in GESI.
- Lead the review and revision of Cuso International’s GESI Policy, provide support to Human Resources and managers to socialize the policy and regularly monitor adherence.
- Undertake other specific responsibilities from time-to-time, as may be agreed upon with the line manager.
- Work extra hours (evenings and weekends) and travel internationally when required
Leadership and Line Management (5%)
- Recruiting and supervising interns or volunteers in the team as required
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences or International Development Studies, or similar relevant field of study
- Five (5) years of professional experience in international development working in GESI-related areas, including designing and implementing programs/projects (e.g., supporting proposal development, developing Theories of Change and logic models and design of gender-disaggregated indicators), providing technical assistance and promoting knowledge-sharing and learning
- Direct experience in SGBV and/or SRHR of women and girls and/or new masculinities and/or social behaviour change communications and/or economic and social empowerment as it relates to power and participation in decision-making, diversity and inclusion
- Excellent knowledge of GESI sector practices and experience identifying, interpreting, and disseminating GESI research and knowledge
- Proven ability in building organizational and individual GESI capacity through support, coaching, mentoring and training initiatives, either independently, or as part of a team and designing and implementing participatory learning/knowledge management tools and processes
- Excellent knowledge of MEAL, including Results-Based Management (RBM) and the specific frameworks being used by donors, particularly Global Affairs Canada
- Strong capacity for critical thinking, reflection, and learning and a proven ability to facilitate and contribute to GESI-related programmatic discussions
- Ability to manage complex and demanding workload, to set own priorities, and work with minimal supervision
- Committed team player who can build effective working relationships across teams in different cultural contexts and inspire innovative thinking
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and French and Spanish (Spanish desirable)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Sharepoint and PowerPoint)
- Commitment to Cuso International’s approach to international development
HOW TO APPLY
Cuso International is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture. We strive to actively celebrate diversity, advance our equitable practices, and drive greater inclusion. We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package and insurance, generous days of paid time off, including vacation, personal days, and sick days, and more.
Please click the “Apply for This Job” button to submit your application no later than January 22nd, 2024, at 11:59PM (EST) for bargaining unit members, or January 28th, 2024, at 11:59PM (EST) for external candidates. Expressions of interest should be sent in English. Your résumé and one-page cover letter should demonstrate how you meet all the essential and any desirable qualifications. Please note that a confirmation email will be generated once you submit your application, but it may be directed to your spam or junk folders of your email inbox.
Cuso International is an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodations will be provided at any stages of the hiring process upon request. Thank you for your interest in Cuso International.