Program Specialist-Gender Inclusion and Women Empowerment Specialist

Overview

Lead and implement gender equality and inclusion initiatives within projects.

You have:

• A degree in social sciences, gender studies, development studies, or a related field is typically required.
• Must have outstanding oral and written English communications and relationship building and strong networking skills.
• Somali language proficiency preferred.
• Must be willing to perform other duties as required.
• Previous experience in gender equality, social inclusion, or related fields is preferred, along with a strong understanding of GESI principles and practices.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills are essential.
• A minimum of three years of technical experience in operational/technical/coordination support capacity.
• Experience of working in a consortium, cluster, coalition or partnership settings is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrate DRC's five core competencies: Striving for excellence, Collaborating, Taking the lead, Communicating, Demonstrating integrity.

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Program Specialist (Gender Equality Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Specialist)

About the job

The Gender Equality Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment Specialist (GEWE) will use their in-depth contextual understanding, technical and practical expertise, and relationship building skills to define and deliver W4R strategic ambition for advancing gender equality disability and women’s empowerment in the corridors of implementation. The GEWE specialist will lead the mainstreaming of gender programming, including technical design, implementation and measurement of high-quality programs that advance gender equality and inclusion, and ensure that girls and boys, women and men can equitably access, participate, benefit from and act as decision makers in our projects and program.

The role provides leadership to ensure W4R work is grounded on intersectional gender and power analysis and supports design and implementation of gender transformative MEAL systems to demonstrate impact. The role will work closely with the programs MSD manager, Corridor managers and programs implementation colleagues, partners including women’s/girls’ rights and gender equality advocacy focused organizations. The position will lead in assessment processes, awareness of women/youth frameworks and policy, design of interventions, training and technical backstopping in gender-sensitive approaches, The position holder will support WMCs, government and community-based water committees to identify barriers for women and youth to participate in economic life. She/he will mobilize women and youth networks for advocacy, providing training, as well as coordinating joint action amongst civil society actors, private sector and government to catalyze changes of enabling conditions.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Coordination and Implementation:

• The GESI Specialist works under the guidance of the MSD Manager to coordinate GESI-related activities, ensuring effective implementation of policies and practices across the W4R project This includes mainstreaming GESI principles into all relevant programs and initiatives.
• Support W4R team in working with private entities in promoting women empowerment and Youth Principles and through different public-private and collaboration arrangements to ensure that the target have access to gender responsive financial services and market development services;
• Compliance focal point for protection against sexual exploitation & abuse (PSEA), policy alignment at consortium levels, training to field level staff, and support to case management

Research and Policy Development:

• Conduct research and evaluations to inform GESI policies and practices.
• Provide sound advice and recommendations to enhance GESI frameworks and ensure best practices are followed.
• Conduct a GESI analysis alongside corridor mapping and the baseline assessment. This will examine how gender, age, clan identity, displacement status, poverty, disability, and settlement location affect water access, affordability, safety, participation in decision-making, and opportunities in the water value chain.
• Support the implementing partners in conducting feasibility studies; gender market assessment and gender analysis in relation with but not limited to value chain analysis of selected climate smart agricultural commodities that women and youth can successfully engage in for enhancing sustainability and resilience of their livelihoods;
• Support assessments to determine impact of GESI in W4R program.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Facilitate gender sensitization training and other GESI-related initiatives to promote awareness and understanding among staff and stakeholders.
• Assist in developing capacity-building programs to enhance knowledge of GESI objectives.
• Train and work with government institutions at local level and national level and ensure GESI is mainstreamed across all programs.
• Technical focal point for gender & climate vulnerability assessment (GCVCA): develop Manuals; train stakeholders and provide technical backstopping and support field-level processes.
• promote meaningful participation of women, youth, IDPs, minority groups, and poorer households in consultations, water governance structures, and anticipatory action planning.
• Integrate GESI into diagnostics, mentoring, customer service, staffing, service expansion, and support to women- and youth-led enterprises where viable.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Maintain databases for research data and client complaints, ensuring proper documentation and monitoring for effective reporting.
• Collect and analyze disaggregated data to assess the impact of GESI initiatives.
• Lead the design of research topics in the areas of gender and advocacy.
• Lead in the preparation of study findings, communication materials and uploading of content.
• Support the Capturing GESI case studies and success stories during program implementation.

Collaboration and Liaison:

• Work closely with other gender focal point officers and relevant stakeholders to promote GESI standards and practices.
• Engage with various departments and agencies to ensure alignment and support for GESI initiatives.
• Proactively identify and develop partnerships with women’s groups to support the participation of women.

Gender at Workplace

• Strictly follow and assist others to respect the organization polices on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.
• Ensure workplaces are free from any sexual and gender-based violence.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have:

Required

• A degree in social sciences, gender studies, development studies, or a related field is typically required.
• Must have outstanding oral and written English communications and relationship building and strong networking skills ;
• Somali language proficiency preferred
• Must be willing to perform other duties as required
• A degree in social sciences, gender studies, development studies, or a related field is typically required.
• Experience: Previous experience in gender equality, social inclusion, or related fields is preferred, along with a strong understanding of GESI principles and practices.
• Skills: Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills are essential. Proficiency in data management and reporting tools is also beneficial.
• A minimum of three years of technical experience in operational/technical/coordination support capacity
• Experience of working in a consortium, cluster, coalition or partnership settings is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with multiple stakeholders.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months

Band: G

Work location: Mogadishu

Start date: August 2026

Reporting to: Program Manager-MSD

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for

employees on national contract.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. A****pplications sent by email will not be considered. Females are always encouraged to Apply

Closing date for applications: 26th July 2026

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 hours ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: drc.ngo