TECHNICAL UNIT DIRECTOR – GENDER EQUALITY

Organisational Context:

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting poverty and social injustice with a special emphasis on women and girls.  CARE Tanzania is part of CARE International, whose vision is to seek a world of hope, tolerance, and social justice, where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security.  CARE International is a global force and a partner of choice within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty.  We are known everywhere for our unshakable commitment to the dignity of people.  CARE Tanzania and partners contribute to the empowerment of the most marginalized and vulnerable rural women and girls to exercise their rights.

Job Summary:

The Director of Gender Equality Technical Unit is responsible for the development, funding and implementation of program initiatives within her/his Unit that contribute to the Country Office LRSP goal of ‘Vibrant, equitable and resilient rural communities where women are empowered to realize their social, political and economic rights and natural resources are sustainably managed in the context of climate change’ and in line with CO Wezesha Program Theory of Change.

The position is responsible for providing strategic leadership in the Gender Equality Technical Unit in the areas of program development, resource acquisition, implementation, high level technical competence, impact measurement, policy engagement, ensuring effective integration of gender equality and social equity in Care Tanzania (CTz) program initiatives and that CTz program initiatives make a significant contribution to reducing poverty, improving social justice and women’s empowerment, and promoting gender equality in areas where CARE works.

The position is responsible for providing expert technical knowledge in gender transformative approaches/strategies and for integration of such approaches in program initiatives in his/her Unit and broadly across CARE Tanzania’s work, building of staff in his/her Unit and partner capacities in innovative programming approaches to promote gender equality built on a rights based framework, and facilitation of CARE Tanzania’s participation in strategic gender forums, networks and alliances. Advocacy, building the capacities of civil society and promoting good governance are an intrinsic part of the job requirements.

The position manages a team of professionals, and is also responsible for overseeing the development, testing and implementation of new and innovative gender transformative program approaches appropriate for the CO impact group and operating environment/context.

The position is passionate about promoting gender equality and innovative and rights-based approaches to women’s empowerment;

This position is a key member of the CO Senior Program Management Team (SPMT). The position is responsible for (along with the DCD-Program, DCD – Program Support and CD) maintaining good working relationships with national government officials, donors, CARE International Members (CIMs) and relevant civil society organisations, networks and alliances. The position reports to Deputy Country Director – Programs and works closely with the other Technical Unit Director, DCD –Program Support, Program Quality and Learning Unit and other senior program and program support staff within the CO to generate synergies, leverage resources and achieve greater program impact.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Job Responsibility #1: Strategic and Technical Leadership                                                                      25% of time

·         Develop and implement strategic roadmap for the Gender Equality Unit in alignment with CO LRSP and CO Wezesha Theory of Change, including elements of advocacy, civil society capacity buiding and promoting good governance. 

·         Provide strategic and technical expert leadership to ensure that gender transformative approaches/strategies and rights-based gender equality approaches are integrated within the Unit portfolio.

·         Forge strategic partnerships necessary to operationalize gender transformative approaches in line with Wezesha and to ensure that staff, partners and other key stakeholders understand and implement the program strategy and approaches.

·         Ensure consistency in approaches (such as in VSLA creation) across the technical units to generate synergies, leverage resources and achieve greater program quality and impact.

·         Ensure that all program initiatives designed and implemented contribute to achieving CI’s vision of reducing poverty, improving social justice and women’s empowerment in general and the objectives of CO LRSP and Wezesha in particular.

·         Oversee periodic review of the CO operating environment and ensure that the gender equality programming approaches and models are adapted to the changing operating environment.

·         Facilitate training and staff development in gender equity and equality.

Job Responsibility #2: Program and Staff Management                                                                              25% of time

·         Provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a coordinated and high performing team with complementary skills; 

·         Build capacity and technical competencies of direct reports in gender transformative approaches and models for dynamic and cutting edge program design and implementation within the Gender Equality Unit;

·         Support direct reports in developing and strengthening competencies needed for successful implementation of CO LRSP and Wezesha;

·         Ensure the proper implementation of CARE's performance management system for direct reports, including job description and IOP development, regular feedback, coaching, mentoring, mid-term reviews, annual performance appraisals, and identification of necessary staff development, career development and succession planning strategies;

·         Oversee the recruitment and orientation of new staff and ensure that the levels of authority, responsibility and accountability are clearly defined, understood and followed by the new hires;

·         Assist staff with acquiring adequate skills in navigating People Soft and ADP environment;

·         Support direct reports to ensure donor reporting is done with high standards and in a timely manner.

·         Work closely with colleagues in Program Support and Finance to ensure proper coordination for timely, effective and efficient program implementation.

Job Responsibility #3: Program Quality or Knowledge Sharing and Learning?                                                                                                           15% of time ·         Ensure that the programming in the Gender Equality Unit remains dynamic and highly relevant, with opportunities for innovation and personal growth by promoting a culture of, and mechanisms for, reflective learning and practice at all levels of organization. ·         Work closely with relevant program colleagues to establish mechanisms for generating and sharing knowledge, both within and between technical units, with relevant networks and alliances, and with and between partners. ·         Work closely with relevant program colleagues to ensure that lessons learned are consolidated and used to inform ongoing and future programming practices. ·         Work closely with DCD-Program, PQL unit, and others as relevant, to develop impact measurement systems to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to demonstrate impact on UCP/V, as well as to ensure that impact measurement systems enhance accountability vis-à-vis the impact/sub impact groups and other key stakeholders - civil society, donors, government counterparts, etc. Also, promote forward accountability to the impact group and ensure their participation in program quality and impact evaluations. ·         Ensure that Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) issues are adequately considered and addressed in the CO program and program initiatives as well as in the institutional issues.   Job Responsibility #4: Program Initiative Development and Fundraising                                          20% of time

·         Provide technical leadership for integrating gender transformative approaches in programming to promote gender equality, integration of learning and good practices and evaluation of their relevance, as strategies for improving program quality and achieving the goal of CO LRSP and Wezesha;

·         Diversify CO program portfolio funding base through responding to strategic funding opportunities and proactively marketing program ideas, including the preparation of concept notes and proposals for cutting edge gender equality programming;

Job Responsibility #3: Coalition Building, Policy Engagement and Representation, and Engagement with Partners                                                                                                                                                                  10% of time

·         Provide leadership to staff and partners to generate evidence from the implementation of gender equality program initiatives for policy engagement and advocacy with allies and coalitions;

·         Liaise with, coordinate and manage CARE’s relationship with two to three external coalitions, networks and social movements and/or partners to advance gender equality, as well as to contribute to national, regional and international dialogue on poverty reduction through rights based gender equality and gender transformative lens;

·         Oversee relationships with external and multilateral agencies in regard to thought leadership in gender equality programming and funding opportunities;

·         Represent CO in relevant national, regional and international meetings, workshops/conferences, consultations and debates to promote gender quality and promote gender transformative models; 

·         Maintain good working relationships and visibility with relevant government counterparts, donors, CIMs, national and international NGOs and other key stakeholders.

·         In addition to CARE staff, build partner staff capacities and technical competencies, especially in planning and conducting UCP/V analysis to strengthen the quality of gender equality program design and implementation and to design and implement cutting edge women empowerment programming incorporating rights based approaches;

Job Responsibility 5: Promote Gender Equity and Diversity                                                                     All the time

·         Practice a behaviour that is consistent with CARE’s core values and promotion of gender equity and diversity goals;

·         Play a leadership role in identifying and implementing initiatives that enhance CARE’s commitment to gender and diversity.

Job Responsibility #5: Perform Other Duties as Assigned

5% of time

·         Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications (Know-How) and Experience

Education/Training

·         Master’s degree in social science, gender studies, international development or related field.  A Bachelor’s university degree in social science, gender studies, international development or related field, in combination with relevant extensive experience, may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s university degree.

Experience

·         At least 8 years of experience in senior leadership position in international NGO with demonstrated experience in strategic planning, designing, implementing and managing gender equality programs funded by a variety of donor agencies.  Less years of program management experience in senior leadership position at international NGO, in combination with Master’s university degree in relevant field, may be accepted in lieu of the 8 years minimum experience;

·         Technical knowledge and expertise in gender transformative and gender equality approaches in program planning and management;

·         Demonstrated experience leading the strategic integration of gender equality in development programs and history of producing gender analysis, leading gender equality measurement initiatives, developing cutting edge gender equality programming;

·         Experience managing staff and coordinating high performing teams;

·         Strong relationships and networks with gender equality actors; experience in advocacy and partnership management with gender equality actors;

·         Experience in popular mobilization and policy advocacy at national and local levels and alliance and partnership building in gender equality work; Strong experience in lobbying and media work is a plus;

·         Knowledge of finance and budget management in development programs funded by variety of donors.

·

Technical Skills

Required:

·         Very good understanding of gender issues at the level of policy influence in the national scene;

·         Able to provide technical assistance in the area of gender and women’s empowerment to ensure that programmatic strategies are addressing unequal power relations;

·         Highly conversant with Civil Society and Social Movement approaches on gender work at national level;

·         Passionate about promoting gender equality and rights-based approaches to women’s empowerment;

·         Demonstrated knowledge and experience in leading program/program initiative design and preparation of concept notes and proposals in the area of gender and women’s empowerment for a range of international donor agencies;

·         High level of conceptual, strategic thinking; ability to analyze and think critically;

·         Skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection, data management and analysis;

·         An approach to mirror our core values: commitment, accountability, respect, effectiveness and diversity;

·         Excellent written, editing, and oral communication skills, with a fluent writing style and good knowledge and practical use of both English and Kiswahili; Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, Internet;

·         Knowledge and experience on designing and implementing impact measurement systems particularly in gender equality programming, financial management, budgeting, follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations, donor compliance and reporting.

·         Demonstrated knowledge and experience of leading design, implementation and analysis of research and evidence-generation, including strategies for building and managing strategic alliances and coalitions for common programming in gender equality and for policy engagement and advocacy.

·         Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors, policymakers and government officials; NGOs, the media, private sectors and research/academic institutions, community representatives including from the Wezesha impact group. 

·         Knowledge and experience of operationalizing ‘Project to Program’ shift concept/approach (i.e. Program Approach) for enhancing program quality and impact.

·         Commitment and belief in transformative change.

·         Knowledgeable of financial management system, knowledge of Pamodzi will be an added advantage;

·         Ability to thrive in team environments, with a strong understanding of diversity and other cultures

Competencies

·         Excellence: Sets high standards of performance for self and/or others; successfully completes assignments; sets standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed; ensures interactions and transactions are ethical and convey integrity.

·         Integrity: Maintains social, ethical, and organizational norms; firmly adheres to codes of conduct and ethical principles inherent to CARE.

·         Respect: Behaves in a manner that reflects a true belief in and appreciation for the dignity and potential of all human beings. Gaining other people’s confidence and setting an environment of trust and openness.

·         Diversity: Promotes, values and respects each individual’s unique qualities, background, race, culture, age, gender, disability, values, lifestyle, perspectives or interests; creates and maintains a work environment that promotes diversity.

·         Communicating with Impact: Diplomatically, logically and clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the recipient / audience and helps them understand and retain their message.

·         Managing Performance: Establishes a culture which encourages CARE Tanzania employees and their units to take responsibility for achievement of high-level organizational performance by constant improvement in business processes, skills, behaviors and contributions; working with managers to set ‘smart’ objectives consisting of clear milestones; Identify development needs; Providing constructive and continuous feedback by managers.

·         Facilitating Change: Supports and manages the change process at CARE-Tanzania by developing a culture affirmative of change; encouraging others to seek and act upon opportunities for different and innovative approaches to addressing problems and opportunities; critically analyzing evolving and fluid situations; facilitating the implementation and acceptance of change within the workplace; actively engaging with resistance to change.

·         Strengthening Partnership: Identifying and utilizing opportunities within and outside of CARE Tanzania to develop effective strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas/departments/units or external organizations to achieve CARE’s objectives.

·         Leading through Vision and Values: Keeps CARE’s vision, mission and values at the forefront of decision-making and action; passionately advances CARE’s strategies.

·         Strategic Decision Making: Establishes and supports a course of action to achieve CARE’s long-range goals after developing alternatives based on logical assumptions, contextual and systems analysis, resources, constraints, and organizational values.

·         Operational Decision Making: Makes sound decisions by considering issues, priorities, opportunities and probable consequences; compares data from different sources to draw conclusions; uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action.

·         Negotiation: Effectively explores alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties, and builds collective support or agreement.

·         Coaching: Sets challenging performance expectations while clearly communicating confidence in the individual's ability to excel; addresses performance gaps; rewards and celebrates accomplishments.

·         Management Excellence: Makes the connection between values and performance. Influences the performance of others, and ultimately, the performance of the organization. Sets direction, coaches & develops, promotes staff wellness & safety, practices & promotes compliance, models gender equity & diversity, communicates effectively.

·         Building Commitment: Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to gain acceptance of ideas or plans; modifies one’s own behavior to accommodate tasks, situations, and individuals involved.

·         Developing Teams: Using appropriate methods and a flexible interpersonal style to help build a cohesive team; facilitates the completion of team goals.

·         Initiating Action: Takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; takes decisive action to achieve goals in times of uncertainty or in fluid contexts; is proactive;

·         Delegating Responsibility: Allocates decision-making authority and/or responsibility as appropriate to maximize the organization’s and individuals’ effectiveness; inspires collective ownership of decisions and required actions.

Our diversity is our strength; we encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences, particularly women, to apply

MODE OF APPLICATION: Apply through hrm@co.care.org to Country Director by 28 February 2015 with a motivation letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae with 3 Referees.