[Hiring] Consultant - Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Expert @International Water Management Institute

Role Description

The Jahez Project seeks a qualified Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Expert to provide technical leadership and support for the integration of GEDSI principles across project activities. Working closely with the Project Management Team (PMT), consortium partners, consultants, and key stakeholders, the consultant will help ensure that project interventions are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities, refugees, and other vulnerable groups, in line with donor requirements and IWMI policies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliverable 1: Inception and GEDSI Action Plan Operationalization Plan
  • Prepare an inception package that includes:
    • A brief assessment of the existing Jahez GEDSI Action Plan and its implementation status;
    • A prioritization matrix identifying high-risk, high-value, and strategically important GEDSI areas and activities requiring technical support;
    • An agreed GEDSI technical support workplan and indicative implementation schedule;
    • Proposed coordination mechanisms with the PMT, MEL team, Regional GEDSI Advisor, consortium partners, and partner GEDSI focal points/consultants;
    • Identification of priority GEDSI capacity, evidence, and implementation gaps.
• Deliverable 2: Periodic GEDSI Technical Advisory and Quality Assurance Updates
  • Prepare consolidated quarterly technical advisory updates linked to the Jahez quarterly reporting process, which may include:
    • GEDSI-focused reviews of priority project activities and implementation approaches;
    • Technical reviews of selected partner deliverables;
    • Reviews of reports, publications, communication materials, and knowledge products;
    • GEDSI-focused reviews of selected research and assessment methodologies;
    • Technical advice on priority stakeholder engagement activities;
    • Identification of GEDSI-related risks, gaps, and opportunities;
    • Prioritized recommendations and corrective or adaptive actions.
• Deliverable 3: GEDSI Capacity-Building Package
  • Deliver up to three structured GEDSI capacity-building sessions, with topics and target audiences agreed upon with the PMT and Regional GEDSI Advisor based on identified needs, including:
    • GEDSI mainstreaming and implementation of the Jahez GEDSI Action Plan;
    • Inclusive stakeholder engagement and participation;
    • GEDSI-sensitive monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and reporting.
  • The package will include:
    • Training needs assessment and prioritization;
    • Training agendas, curricula, and learning objectives for Jahez partners;
    • Presentation and training materials;
    • Practical tools, examples, and exercises, where appropriate;
    • Participant attendance records;
    • Participant feedback;
    • A brief report summarizing key learning outcomes, identified capacity gaps, and recommended follow-up actions.
• Deliverable 4: GEDSI MEL, Evidence and Reporting Package
  • Provide targeted technical support to the MEL team and selected implementing partners to strengthen the quality, collection, and documentation of GEDSI-related evidence, which may include:
    • Reviewing GEDSI indicators and indicator definitions;
    • Advising on sex-, age-, disability-, and other relevant data disaggregation, where appropriate;
    • Reviewing GEDSI-related monitoring tools and reporting approaches;
    • Providing technical inputs to quarterly and annual reports;
    • Identifying evidence gaps and recommending improvements;
    • Documenting GEDSI results, lessons learned, and evidence of change.
• Deliverable 5: Practical GEDSI Tools and Guidance Package
  • Develop, adapt, and/or refine practical GEDSI tools and guidance materials based on project needs and existing IWMI, FCDO, and Jahez resources, which may include:
    • GEDSI activity review checklist;
    • Inclusive workshop and training checklist;
    • Event accessibility checklist;
    • GEDSI-sensitive communication checklist;
    • Partner GEDSI self-assessment tool;
    • GEDSI review template;
    • GEDSI reporting guidance;
    • Practical guidance notes for project teams and partners.
• Deliverable 6: GEDSI Inputs to Reviews, Learning and Donor Engagement
  • Provide targeted GEDSI technical support for:
    • Internal and external project reviews;
    • Donor reviews and monitoring missions;
    • Learning events;
    • Selected consultant deliverables;
    • Relevant procurement and activity-planning documents where GEDSI considerations are material;
    • Selected communication campaigns;
    • Other priority project processes identified by the PMT.
• Deliverable 7: Final GEDSI Learning and Recommendations Report
  • Prepare a final report summarizing:
    • Progress in implementing the Jahez GEDSI Action Plan;
    • GEDSI-related technical support provided throughout the consultancy;
    • Key achievements and examples of GEDSI integration;
    • Progress, challenges, and evidence emerging from project implementation;
    • Capacity-building activities and key learning outcomes;
    • Major GEDSI risks, gaps, and mitigation measures identified;
    • Good practices and lessons learned;
    • Recommendations for strengthening and sustaining GEDSI integration, capacity, and systems throughout the remainder of the project and beyond.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Policy, Human Rights, Sociology, Disability Studies, or a related discipline.

Requirements

• At least 7 to 10 years of professional experience in gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion programming.
• Demonstrated experience integrating GEDSI into climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management, water, environmental, or resilience programs.
• Proven experience working on FCDO-funded projects or with other major bilateral or multilateral donors.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of safeguarding, intersectionality, and inclusive development approaches.
• Experience designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives.
• Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems with GEDSI-related indicators.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, research organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.

Benefits

• This is a globally recruited consultancy position; therefore, individuals with relevant expertise are encouraged to apply.
• IWMI offers a competitive remuneration rate for this assignment.
• The contract duration will be for a period of seven (07) months.

How to Apply

Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs . Applications will be accepted until 24:00 (IST) on October 07, 2026 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references. All applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Company Description

IWMI believes that diversity fuels our innovation, enhances our excellence, and is essential to our mission. We offer a multicultural, multicolor, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary working environment. We are committed to creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our dedication to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities.