Senior Specialist for Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in DAI Global LLC

Senior Specialist for Gender Equity and Social Inclusion

Kyiv / Odesa / Lviv

Resume submission process p>

All candidates should send a cover letter and an up-to-date resume (no more than four pages) only in English to the email address [email protected]. Only selected candidates with relevant work experience will be invited for an interview.

PROJECT INFORMATION
The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) project is designed as an innovative and flexible tool that promotes meeting the urgent needs of Ukraine's development and strengthening its economic stability. Ukraine's efforts to achieve victory and rebirth after the full-scale war unleashed by Russia are aimed at stepping confidently on the path to accelerated development as a sovereign, independent, democratic and prosperous state. This requires a dynamic, inclusive approach to economic recovery and sustainable growth.

BUSINESS STABILIZATION AND RECOVERY
 ERA promotes the development of sustainable, inclusive and growth-oriented economies in regions that have experienced significant disruption. ERA provides Ukrainians with the opportunity to create and develop micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in promising economic sectors, implement innovations and enter new markets of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) and other regions. ERA particularly emphasizes the importance of engaging internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, youth, veterans, seniors, LGBTQI+ and other vulnerable groups to ensure their participation in building the region's economic success.

Starting in 2025 , ERA resumes its activities in the direction of stabilizing and restoring business, focusing the main attention on 4 eastern regions (Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson) and 3 adjacent regions (Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv), as well as to a lesser extent in 4 war-affected regions (Sum, Poltava, Chernihiv, Odesa). This activity is aimed at increasing the economic stability of eastern Ukraine by achieving the following goals:

• Goal 1: Provide support for the stabilization of the economy of Ukraine;
• Goal 2: Promote the sustainable development of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ukraine.

Thanks to this, the economy of the eastern and front-line communities of Ukraine will be able to withstand the challenges that arose as a result of the invasion of Russia and the destruction of critical infrastructure. Communities, businesses and government partners will be able to rebuild their lives and activities in these regions, improving economic resilience.

In addition to stabilization and business recovery in the eastern and frontline areas, ERA continues to support additional areas of activity:

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Project "Economic support of Ukraine" is one ofkey partners of USAID, which implements the initiative "Development of sustainability of agriculture (hereinafter - AGRI-Ukraine), the budget of which is 350 million dollars. This initiative was launched in 2022 with the aim of developing grain exports from Ukraine and overcoming the global food crisis, which was deepened by the war. As part of the AGRI-Ukraine initiative, the "Economic Support of Ukraine" project cooperates with state and private companies, investing in the transportation and transshipment of critically needed grain products.

• INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT

The project "Economic Support of Ukraine" also directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Reconstruction and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and the Ukrainian Railways, within the framework modernization of 42 Ukrainian checkpoints (BCP). A modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, allowing Ukraine to scale trade and move towards EU integration.

• ENERGY SUPPORT AND RENEWAL

As one of the most flexible types of USAID activity that responds to new and/or emergency needs, the USAID project expands its interventions that help Ukrainian businesses, communities and individuals in the autumn-winter period (September 2024 - December 2025). The goal is to minimize the impact on the population and economy of Ukraine, given the recent shortage of electricity. This is an adaptive component, and the USAID project can also respond to other emergency needs in the context of ongoing Russian aggression and attacks on critical infrastructure of Ukraine.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Senior Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer (GESI) will play a key role in ensuring that all activities within the ERA project are inclusive, equitable and supportive vulnerable segments of the population, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, youth, veterans, the elderly, LGBTQI+ and other marginalized groups. The Senior Specialist will work closely with program teams, partners and stakeholders to design, implement and monitor interventions that address the unique challenges faced by women, youth and vulnerable groups. The purpose of the activity is to promote the participation of these groups in building a sustainable and growth-oriented economy in eastern Ukraine and other war-affected regions. The Senior Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist reports to the Business Sustainability Development Director and works with the teams to increase their competence on GESI issues. It ensures the integration of inclusion principles into the technical approach of the ERA project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Development and implementation of programs:

• Integrate GESI principles into ERA's business stabilization and recovery activities, ensuring project activities are inclusive and address barriers faced by women and vulnerable groups.
• Adherence to best practices accordingly to policies such as the USAID Policy on Gender Equality and Empowermentand Women's Empowerment, USAID Disability Policy, LGBTQI+ Inclusive Development Policy, and Youth Development Policy.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and implement strategies that address the unique challenges faced by different groups in war-affected regions , in particular the areas targeted by the ERA; supporting GESI not only from a rights perspective, but also through understanding the economic incentives to implement inclusive business practices.
• Providing technical guidance to teams to develop targeted support for vulnerable communities, particularly in the areas of SME development, vocational training and access to resources.
• Implementation of best practices in women's economic empowerment and gender-responsive investing in ERA's approaches to engagement with the private sector sector.
• Supporting capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of local organizations, businesses and government structures to adopt inclusive policies and practices.
• Collaboration with government partners, NGOs, business associations and international agencies to support GESI's priorities in the areas of economic recovery and business revival; seeking investment and grant opportunities specifically targeting women and vulnerable groups.
• Representing ERA in working groups, forums and conferences dedicated to GESI, showcasing project successes, challenges and lessons learned.
• Collaborate with the M&E team to ensure the collection and analysis of disaggregated data (by gender, age, displacement status, etc.) to assess participation rates, outcomes and benefits for targets groups.
• Development and implementation of communication strategies aimed at raising awareness of the importance of gender equality and social inclusion in the processes of economic recovery and stabilization; preparing regular reports, success stories and case studies that demonstrate achievements and challenges of GESI integration.
• Applying learning and adaptive management approaches to continuously improve GESI results.
• Conducting trainings and seminars for employees ERA, partners and stakeholders on GESI principles, best practices and implementation strategies; strengthening the capacity of program teams to integrate inclusive approaches at all stages of project implementation - from planning to implementation.
• Participation in technical meetings organized by the senior manager for Objective 1 (economic stabilization) and Objective 2 (development of SMEs) to ensure integration of GESI into all project components.
• Collaboration with grant, procurement and business sustainability teams to ensure equal access to resources, services and opportunities for underrepresented groups; developing innovative ways to test and drive more inclusive business practices.
• Provide technical recommendations on plans, budgets and program proposals to reflect GESI aspects in program design and resource allocation.
• Perform other tasks at the direction of the manager or his representative.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in the field of social sciences, psychology andabout a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-8 years of proven experience in gender equality, social inclusion, or related field, with deep understanding of intersectionality and systemic barriers.
• Collaborative experience with international organizations, donors or implementation of large-scale development projects. Experience in USAID-funded projects will be an advantage.
• Experience in developing and implementing GESI-focused programs, especially in the field of international development or community initiatives.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, ability to develop strategies, conduct training and interact effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment in both work processes and activities programs.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders, including community members, government officials and donors.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English; knowledge of other local languages ​​will be an advantage.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and complex environment, proactively and innovatively solving problems.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites, including remote and difficult areas.
• High level of integrity, responsibility and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, programs for project management; knowledge of other tools will be an advantage. .

  Benefits package:

  • 28 calendar days of annual leave;
  • 10 days of paid sick leave per year;

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  • Medical insurance of USAID project employees and their families;
  • Life insurance for USAID project employees and one family member;
  • Covering all travel expenses;

  Start date: January 2025

  All qualified applicants will be eligible for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected status veteran.

  Deadline for resume submission: January 5, 2025. p>

  ERA BACKGROUND

  The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is designed as an adaptive and flexible mechanism that supports Ukraine's immediate development needs and overall economic resilience. Ukraine's efforts to win the future – emerging from Russia's full-scale war ready to accelerate its development as a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous state – require a dynamic, inclusive economic recovery.

  STABILIZATION AND BUSINESS REVIVAL

  ERA participates in developing a resilient, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy in severely damaged areas. ERA empowers Ukrainians to establish and develop micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in promising economic sectors, innovate, and enter new markets in Ukraine, the European Union (EU), and other regions. ERA emphasizes the inclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, young adults, veterans, the elderly, LGBTQI+ and other vulnerable groups to ensure that these people also participate in building the region’s economic success.

  Starting in 2025, ERA is reviving its interventions around Stabilization and Business Revival and re-establishing a core focus on 4 eastern oblasts (Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson) and 3 adjacent oblasts (Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv); and, to a lesser extent, in 4 war-affected areas (Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, Odesa). This Stabilization and Business Revival intervention area aims to improve the economic resilience of eastern Ukraine by achieving the following goals:

  ? OBJECTIVE 1: Provide assistance to stabilize the economy of Ukraine; and

  ? OBJECTIVE 2: Support the sustainable development of micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine.

  Consequently, the economy of eastern and frontline communities in Ukraine will be able to withstand and respond to the challenge presented by Russia’s invasion and destruction of critical infrastructure; and individuals, businesses and government partners will be able to rebuild their lives and operation in these regions, thereby improving the economic resilience of the region.

  In addition to Stabilization and Business Revival in the east and frontline oblasts, ERA continues to support complementary intervention areas:

  · AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS; USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to complement and leverage urgently needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.

  · BORDER CROSSING POINTS (BCP) IMPROVEMENTS; ERA directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s BCPs. Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.

  · ENERGY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT; As one of USAID’s most flexible activities that responds to emerging and/or emergency needs, ERA is expanding its interventions that assist Ukraine businesses, communities or individuals in the fall and winter (September 2024-December 2025). The goal is to minimize the impact on the Ukrainian people and economy given recent power deficits. This is an adaptive component and ERA may also need to respond to other emergency needs in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

  JOB OVERVIEW 

  The Senior Specialist on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) will play a pivotal role in ensuring ERA’s interventions are inclusive, equitable, and effectively support vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, youth, veterans, elderly, LGBTQI+, and other marginalized groups. The Sr. Specialist will work closely with program teams, partners, and stakeholders to design, implement, and monitor activities that address the unique challenges facing women, youth and vulnerable groups and foster the participation of these groups in building a resilient, growth-oriented economy in eastern Ukraine and other war-affected regions. The Sr. Specialist for Gender Equity and Social Inclusion reports to the Director for Business Resilience and will work across teams to build team capacity around GESI and ensure inclusion is built into ERA’s technical approach. 

  RESPONSIBILITIES:

  Program Design and Implementation:

  • Integrate GESI principles into ERA’s Stabilization and Business Revival interventions, ensuring that project activities are inclusive and address barriers faced by women and vulnerable groups.
  • Ensure ERA interventions are in line with best practices under policies such as the USAID Gender Equipment and Women’s Empowerment Policy , USAID Disability Policy , LGBTQI+ Inclusive Development Policy  and Youth and Development Policy , amongst others.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and implement strategies that analyze the unique challenges facing different groups in the war-affection, target oblasts for ERA; support GESI not only from a right-based approach but by understanding the economic incentives for more includes business practices. 
  • Provide technical guidance to teams on designing tailored support for vulnerable communities, particularly for SME development, skills training, and access to resources.
  • Bring best practices in women’s economic empowerment and gender lens investing to ERA’s private sector engagement approaches. 
  • Support capacity building initiatives that empower local organizations, businesses, and government entities to adopt inclusive policies and practices.
  • Engage with government partners, NGOs, business associations, and international agencies, to advocate for GESI priorities in economic recovery and business revival; identify investment and gran opportunities specifically targeting women and vulnerable groups.
  • Represent ERA in GESI-focused working groups, forums, and conferences, highlighting project successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
  • Collaborate with the M&E team to ensure disaggregated data collection and analysis (e.g., gender, age, displacement status) to assess participation, outcomes, and benefits for target groups.
  • Develop and contribute to communication strategies that raise awareness about the importance of gender equity and social inclusion in economic recovery and stabilization efforts; prepare regular reports, success stories, and case studies showcasing achievements and challenges related to GESI integration.
  • Ensure learning and adaptive management approaches are applied to improve GESI outcomes over time.
  • Deliver training and workshopsfor ERA staff, partners, and stakeholders on GESI principles, best practices, and implementation strategies; build the capacity of program teams to integrate inclusive approaches into all phases of project implementation, from planning to delivery.
  • Participate in routine technical meetings led by Senior Manager for Objective 1 (economic stabilization) and Objective 2 (SME development) to ensure GESI integration across all project components.
  • Collaborate with grants, procurement, and business resilience teams to ensure equitable access to resources, services, and opportunities for underrepresented groups; develop creative ways to test and incentivize more inclusive business practices.
  • Provide technical input on program plans, budgets, and proposals to reflect GESI considerations in program design and resource allocation.
  • Other tasks as direct by supervisor, COP or their designee. 

  QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Master’s degree in social science, psychology, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
  • Minimum of 7-8 years of proven experience in gender equity, social inclusion, or related fields, with a strong understanding of intersectionality and systemic barriers.
  • Proven experience working with international organizations, donors, or large-scale development projects. USAID-funded projects experience is a plus.
  • Experience in designing and implementing GESI-focused programs, particularly in international development or community-based projects.
  • Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to develop strategies, deliver training, and engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
  • Commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the workplace and program activities.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and donors.
  • Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required; proficiency in other local languages is a plus.
  • Capacity to operate in dynamic and challenging environments, addressing problems proactively and innovatively.
  • Willingness to travel frequently to project sites, including remote and challenging areas.
  • High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to the organization’s mission and goals.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, and familiarity with tools is a plus.

  WE OFFER

  Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

  Benefits Package:

  28 calendar days of annual leave

  10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum

  Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families

  Life Insurance for ERA staff

  Coverage of all expenses for the business trips

  Start date: January 2025

  Application process

  All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to [email protected] 

  Allqualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

  Closing date for applications: January 05, 2024.

  For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.