Head of Gender at Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Job Description

Primary Purpose of the Job

• Coordinate, facilitate and monitor gender mainstreaming activities in order to achieve gender equality and equity within the SADC region
• Coordinate, facilitate and monitor the implementation of women empowerment programmes and programmes dealing with Gender Based Violence in the SADC region
• Manage the efforts and performance of the team falling under the responsibility of the Senior Programme Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research and Information Dissemination

• Manage documentation and sharing of knowledge about current and emerging gender mainstreaming and gender based violence related concerns and trends, evaluates programmes, documents lessons learned, best practices as well as replicable strategies and approaches in the SADC Region.
• Promote evidence-based programming by regularly facilitating collection of data and information on sector status/profile in Member States, using primary and secondary research techniques
• Identify priority areas, commission studies, and use the findings to feed into the planning process.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of a regional database on Gender, and a directory of gender networks in the region
• Facilitate the production of the biennial SADC Gender and Development Monitor
• Manage dissemination of information and data through the SADC website, reports to SADC Institutions or through monthly electronic bulletin on developments in gender related issues affecting the region.

Policy Alignment

• Commission and coordinate research/studies to identify the policy gaps in relation to gender in the region
• Coordinate efforts and initiatives for the alignment of gender policies within SADC
• Facilitate review of constitutions of Member States
• Facilitate the implementation of gender policies by Member States
• Coordinate the development, review and monitoring of the implementation / domestication of the relevant Protocol falling under the purview of this unit.

Planning, Programming and Implementation

• Coordinate the development and review of a plan of action to address issues of gender inequality in the region
• Facilitate the adoption of the plan by various policy structures
• Facilitate the conduct of capacity building programmes in the region
• Develop and coordinate programmes that mainstream gender issues through the implementation of gender-sensitive programmes
• Support resource mobilisation for programme implementation as and when required by PPRM

Develop and coordinate women empowerment programmes within SADC

• Develop framework and guidelines for empowerment of women
• Facilitate the development and implementation of regional capacity building programs for women
• Facilitate the development and implementation of the Regional Multi-Dimensional Women Economic Empowerment Program
• Develop a methodology for assessing the gender impact of trade policies
• Facilitate and coordinate the Women in Business Trade Fairs
• Facilitate the Implementation of the SADC Guidelines on Gender
• Responsive Budgeting

Develop and coordinate programmes to deal with Gender Based Violence

• Establish and maintain institutional support mechanisms to deal with Gender Based Violence
• Facilitate the implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the UN CSW Resolution 60/2 on Women, the Girl Child and HIV,and other relevant global and regional frameworks, in the SADC region
• Document effective practices and facilitate sharing of experiences of Member States on the implementation of the recommendations
• UN Secretary General’s Task Force on Women, Girls and HIV and
• AIDS, and other relevant decisions made at SADC level
• Facilitate legislative reforms to address gender based violence

Strengthen the monitoring system

• Customise the African Gender Development Index (AGDI) for the SADC sub region
• Train key SADC structures in the AGDI usage
• Develop and agree on indicators, systems and criteria for M&E
• Facilitate the operations of the established Regional Gender Advisory Committee (RGAC)

• Develop and agree on indicators and criteria in line with SADC M&E system for monitoring the implementation of projects by the Member States
• Monitor and evaluate SADC gender commitments, progress of implementation of programmes/projects and their impact
• Collect and synthesise national reports; and prepare relevant summary reports for submission to SADC policy structures
• Contribute to the development of the SADC Annual Report
• Share programme impact and lessons
• Liaise with Programme Directorates for mainstreaming of Gender in programmes at the Secretariat and key sector levels
• Ensure joint / synergised planning and programming for programmes that have cross-cutting implications / linkages with other programme units in the Secretariat

Networking

• Establish formal contacts with regional gender advocacy groups and promote partnerships and collaboration with other key stakeholders in the implementation of the SADC Gender programmes
• Develop networks with key regional and international stakeholders for (a) sharing of information on the implementation of gender programmes, and (b) soliciting inputs and resources for programme implementation
• Participate in the mobilisation of internal and external resources for the financing of the SADC Gender Programmes

Servicing of Relevant Technical & Policy Committees, Meetings & Workshops

• Prepare reports, documents and annotated agenda for submission to various policy structures of SADC
• Liaise with Conference Services unit to (a) organise the logistics for the meetings and workshops, and (b) process / produce the necessary meeting and conference documents and presentations
• Facilitate technical committees, meetings and workshops as required
• Prepare records of the technical and policy meetings including communiqué for policy meetings

Representation and Promotion of SADC gender programme

• Organise strategic dialogue on key policy issues with stakeholders in the region
• Participate in relevant and strategic regional, continental and international meetings; promote and present the SADC’s Gender Agenda in these forums
• Work closely with Communication and Public Relations unit to promote Gender programme portfolio, pipeline, specific projects and programme impact
• Plan the unit’s activity and maintain direct oversight on its operations and the staff in terms of (a) work scheduling, (b) estimating resource and staffing needs, (c) allocating and delegating tasks, and (d) recruiting, training, developing, supporting, supervising, mentoring, motivating and appraising staff
• Research and adopt best practices in own area of work, and maintain high level of knowledge in order to effectively undertake the duties of the post
• Undertake any other duties as delegated by the Head

Qualifications and Experience

Education

At least a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences/Development/Gender from a recognised institution.

Specialised knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of integrated programme planning, budgeting, development, administration and monitoring for Gender
• Proficient in the use of computers and computer software relevant to the position relevant to the position

Experience

• At least 10-15 years of similar gender experience within a public or private sector, regional or international organization
• This includes a minimum of 4 years in a line management position.

Skills Requirements

• Communication and presentation skills
• Conflict management skills
• Decision-making skills
• Entrepreneurial mind-set and business acumen
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Mentoring and coaching skills
• Negotiation, persuasion, advocacy, networking and relationship building skills
• Organisational skills (planning, budgeting, work prioritisation, time management)
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strategy and policy development skills
• Team building skill

Competency Requirements

• Apply interpersonal styles/methods to develop, motivate and empower individuals toward achievement of goals
• Capable of maintaining quality whilst working under pressure and adhering to deadlines
• Capacity to motivate and influence people positively, and create a climate where people want to do their best
• Conceptual and practical thinking
• Customer focused
• Decisive
• Demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas in an international or multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated ability to work across disciplines/sectors
• Organisational awareness with an understanding of how to engage the organisation to get things done
• Maintain confidentiality and is respectful of sensitive situations
• Politically savvy i.e. identify internal and external politics that impact the Secretariat’s work, and act accordingly
• Professionalism and adherence to good work ethics
• Question conventional approaches and encourage new ideas and innovations for progress
• Resilience and personal drive, self-motivation
• Results and performance driven
• Visionary, thinks and acts strategically

Tenure of appointment

The term of appointment of the Director, Industrial Development and Trade shall be for a fixed period of four (4) years, renewable once for another period of four (4) years. While appointments for positions (2–19) will be on a fixed-term contract for four (4) years, renewable twice for an equal period, subject to:

• satisfactory completion of 6 months’ probation;
• satisfactory performance;
• retirement age limit of 60 years; and
• the continued need for the position.

Eligibility

The positions are open to qualified applicants who:

• Are 52 years old or younger. This requirement is based on the Organization’s need to recruit staff who can serve for a reasonable period of time before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.
• Are from the following eligible Member States: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Applications should be accompanied by the following:

1. a cover letter stating the position that you want to be considered for and describing how your qualifications, experience, and competencies are relevant to the position;
2. not more than five (5) pages of updated curriculum vitae;
3. certified copies of your degree(s), Diploma(s) and Certificate(s); and
4. duly signed and completed SADC Application Form.

Should you be shortlisted, you will be required to produce evidence of educational and professional qualifications supporting your application, on the day of your interview.

Gender Mainstreaming

SADC is an equal opportunity employer and particularly encourages applications from female candidates.

If you are results orientated, you have a passion for the transformation and development of Southern Africa and possess the required competencies, please submit your application.

Only applicants who meet the requirements of the SADC Secretariat and being considered for an interview, will be contacted. Should you not hear from the SADC Secretariat within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application unsuccessful..