Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding Coordinator - Ethiopia PMI Evolve at Abt Associates

Abt Associates

Position: Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding Coordinator - Ethiopia PMI Evolve

Application Deadline: August, 03/2023

The Opportunity

As the Ethiopia Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding Manager, under the supervision of the Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for integrating GESI considerations across PMI Evolve activities in Ethiopia and for overseeing the development and implementation of safeguarding activities. You will lead efforts to ensure PMI Evolve Ethiopia has both GESI-specific activities as well as broad integration of GESI approaches and safeguarding principles across all activities, that the PMI Evolve Ethiopia work environment is respectful and equitable, and that all individuals engaged in our work—colleagues, community members, government stakeholders, and partners—are safe and are treated with dignity. You will provide technical guidance to maximize diversity and inclusivity in PMI Evolve’s programs and develop strategies to reach hard-to-reach populations with vector control.     

Project Description

The PMI Evolve Project supports the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) and USAID to plan and implement an integrated vector control strategy with the overall goal of reducing the burden of malaria while promoting equity to sustain malaria gains. Abt has implemented integrated vector control for PMI since 2011, delivering high-quality indoor residual spraying (IRS), technical assistance for insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution and durability monitoring, and new approaches for larval source management (LSM). Additionally, Abt’s PMI-funded work manages the most comprehensive malaria vector entomological surveillance programs in 21 African countries to inform malaria vector control trends, strategies, and impacts. Under the PMI Evolve Project, Abt will further its delivery of integrated vector control programs by partnering with local communities, organizations, and governments to co-design and co-implement tailored malaria vector control programs. The end goal is fighting malaria while strengthening local capacity to sustain malaria gains. 

Ethiopia is among the largest, fastest-paced, and most complex Evolve country programs. The team is responsible for planning, implementation, and monitoring of three large-scale vector control interventions (IRS, ITN distribution, and LSM) simultaneously in different regions and districts across the country every year while maintaining expansive geographical coverage of entomological monitoring for traditional and invasive malaria vectors, working with multiple local and international collaborators, and taking on frequent ad hoc assignments such as operational research, capacity strengthening, etc. 

Core Responsibilities

• Champion the Abt Safeguarding Policy and accompanying Policies, guidance support materials, implementation process and reporting 

• In collaboration with the Global Support Team, conduct a risk assessment to identify areas of vulnerabilities to the safety of project staff, seasonal workers, and the community which the project works within.  

• In collaboration with the Global Support Team Safeguarding Specialist, develop a Safeguarding Action Plan with clear guidance and approaches for addressing vulnerabilities identified in the risk assessment, creating respectful work environments, protecting individuals from discrimination, and mechanisms for reporting any incidents.  

• Operationalize the Safeguarding Action Plan including raising awareness and building the capacity of the project staff, seasonal workers, and partners about Abt’s policies and protocols for protecting project staff, subcontractors, partners, and community members from harm. 

• In collaboration with Global Support Team staff, develop or adapt GESI and safeguarding trainings; lead GESI and safeguarding trainings for project staff and partners.  

• Lead sensitization of project staff, seasonal workers, partners, and community members on reporting and referral mechanisms whenever there are concerns of a possible violation of the safeguarding policies. 

• Collaborate with regional country focal points to engage partners and host governments on GESI and safeguarding, ensuring that equity and inclusion are modeled throughout the project. 

• When necessary, support the investigation manager during investigations of safeguarding violations, including coordination of logistics for the investigation. 

• Support the mapping and networking with local support services available to survivors  

• Act as a reporting avenue for safeguarding related issues, concerns or experiences and a conduit for ensuring that the incident management process is followed within the time frames set:  

• Safeguarding: Reporting immediately  

• Respect at work: Reporting immediately  

• Act as a resource to survivors and help ensure they receive, or are referred to, the services they need.  

• Lead the development of country-specific GESI project activities in annual work planning.  

• Lead the integration of GESI into project activities. Activities could include, but are not limited to, increasing the diversity of seasonal workers; identifying new opportunities to engage women in male-dominated fields such as entomology; ensuring accessibility at IRS operational sites for men and women; increasing opportunities for inclusive community engagement; and implementing tailored vector control activities to reach the unreached.  

• Contribute to contractual reporting related to GESI and safeguarding.  

• Represent the project in internal and external safeguarding and GESI-related meetings.  

• Liaise with GESI & Safeguarding focal points in other Evolve countries 

What We Value 

• Bachelor’s Degree + 9 years of relevant GESI and safeguarding experience, or master’s degree + 7 years of relevant experience, or PhD + 4 years of relevant experience. 

• Proven experience designing and implementing GESI activities in Ethiopia preferably focused on malaria or health.  

• Familiarity with USAID Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy and with the US Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 

• Experience developing or implementing safeguarding processes.  

• Experience designing and delivering GESI or safeguarding training or workshops. 

• Knowledge of adult learning principles and experience in instructional design. 

• Experience implementing strategies to increase diversity in employment.  

• Prior experience supporting international development programs, preferably USAID-funded programs. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to work with a variety of audiences such as community members and government stakeholders.  

• Ability to work with and foster trust among a broad range of stakeholders. 

• A commitment to uphold the highest ethical standards and an ability to handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion. 

• A personal and professional commitment to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches.  

• A personal and professional commitment to confronting misogyny, racism, homophobia, and other systems of oppression and a willingness to hold oneself accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. 

• Excellent English and Amharic language speaking and writing proficiency. Speaking one or more additional local language(s) is an advantage. 

What We Offer 

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your well-being centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development. 

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.