JOB OPPORTUNITY

Social Inclusion Lead – Nepal Agriculture Transformation

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

Abt Associates seeks a Social Inclusion Lead to support the anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Agriculture Transformation activity. The purpose of the activity is to catalyze a transformation in Nepal’s agricultural sector and lay the foundation for broad-based and inclusive economic growth. The objectives are expected to cover:

Increased agricultural productivity and competitiveness;
An improved policy environment;
Climate and economic resilience for women, youth, and marginalized communities;
Strengthened agricultural research institutions and extension systems.

The activity will focus on fine rice, industrial maize, lentils, high-value vegetables, and goat value chains and will focus implementation on select districts in four provinces: Bagmati Province, Lumbini Province, Karnali Province, and Sudurpaschim Province.

As the Social Inclusion Lead you will develop and implement a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) strategy with a focus on building resilience to climatic and economic shocks and stresses among women, youth and members of marginalized communities. A focus on women is particularly important to agricultural transformation because the economic contributions of female farmers in Nepal is so significant. You will provide leadership enabling the project and its partners to:

Integrate marginalized communities through literacy, life skills, and entrepreneurial training that enable women, youth, disadvantaged castes, and ethnic minorities to access agricultural and nutrition interventions.
Build economic empowerment by removing barriers to livelihood diversification.
Enhance climate adaptation and mitigation through the promotion of climate smart agriculture.
Support planning processes to protect selected value chains.

Core Responsibilities

Lead the development of a GESI strategy informed by baseline analysis and research into the GESI context as well as Government of Nepal and USAID priorities.
Design and manage development of GESI-specific project activities and integrate GESI into all of the project’s work.
Advocate for, and advise the Chief of Party and other project leads on, GESI-sensitive and GESI-transformative approaches to project work planning and implementation.
Contribute to project senior management efforts to ensure that management practices align with Abt’s diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA) principles; help to build staff capacity on DEIA and facilitate a project culture of respect and inclusivity.
Act as point person for GESI integration and facilitate and strengthen engagement and partnerships with relevant government agencies, the private sector, NGOs and other donor-funded projects to amplify the implementation and inform adaptation of GESI strategy.
Lead efforts to build the capacity of key stakeholders (partner organizations, provincial and local governments and private sector partners) to mainstream gender and inclusion of marginalized groups across all activities.
Serve as the external point of contact with USAID on GESI-related matters and communications.
Ensure the integration of GESI-sensitive indicators and strategies into the project’s monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan.
Guide MEL team on collection of data on program impact with regard to GESI; ensure that intended and unintended activity impacts are monitored and, if needed, adapted for constant learning and improvement.
Work with project management team to ensure that all consortium partners are in compliance with Government of Nepal, project and USAID GESI-related regulations and strategy.
Prepare reports, white papers, case studies and social media content to promote project’s GESI strategy and implementation successes.

What We Value

An advanced degree in agriculture, gender studies, disability studies, international development or other related field.
A minimum of six years of progressive experience in gender and/or social inclusion mainstreaming.
Demonstrated application of GESI best practices, including the active inclusion of marginalized groups in program design, execution and adaptive management.
A track record of successful inclusion work with one or more relevant identity groups, including women, youth, disadvantaged castes, and ethnic minorities.
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated success engaging with key stakeholders to enhance the adoption of GESI best practices.
Knowledge of adult learning principles desired.
Experience designing and delivering trainings or workshops desired.
Successful experience providing technical assistance to support the integration of GESI issues in development projects.
Capacity to lead the collection, analysis and use of data and information from a broad range of sources to ensure integration of GESI concerns in project programming.
Experience integrating GESI into monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans.
Ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently and independently.
Verbal and written fluency in Nepali is required; fluency in spoken and written English is preferred.

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 wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits, flexible schedules, 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 strongly encouraged to apply.

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

Job Info

Job Identification: 104007
Job Category: Program Delivery
Apply Before: 03/31/2024, 05:24 PM
Locations: Kathmandu, Nepal
Job Schedule: Full time
Regular or Temporary: Regular
Number of Openings: 1