Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org  

Project background 

The Clean Faces, Clean Environment – A Path to Sustaining Trachoma Elimination is a 5-year project funded by the Fred Hollows Foundation. The [project aims to accelerate and sustain the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region. Trachoma remains a leading cause of preventable blindness, primarily linked to poor hygiene and environmental sanitation.

Building on the WASH for Trachoma Elimination (WASHTra I & II) initiatives, the project promotes facial cleanliness, hygiene behaviour, and community-led waste management. It applies SNV’s Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SSH4A) approach and the Behaviour Centred Design (BCD) framework to ensure lasting behavioural change. The project aligns with the national SAFE strategy and the Total Sanitation to End Open Defecation and Urination (TSEDU)–Ethiopia initiative.

The project adopts a five-year phased leadership transition from SNV to the Oromia Health Bureau (OHB): SNV leads and builds capacity (Years 1–3), followed by joint implementation (Year 4), OHB-led activities with SNV support and full OHB leadership with SNV advisory (Year 5). The project aligns with government-led initiatives, including the One WASH National Program, a national campaign aimed at eliminating open defecation by 2030 and one of the Bureau of Health’s key priorities.

The project will be implemented in 49 woredas across six zones of Oromia Regional State: Arsi, East Hararghe, East Shewa, Guji, Jimma, and West Hararghe.

Purpose of the Job

The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor will ensure that all project activities are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of women, men, youth, and persons with disabilities. The Advisor will mainstream gender and social inclusion considerations across project components, strengthen institutional capacity for GESI integration, and promote equitable participation and benefits among target communities.

The interventions will address gender inequities and disability inclusion through evidence-based behavioral interventions and community-led environmental management, recognizing that women and girls face disproportionate risks in eye health outcomes and that people with disabilities encounter additional barriers to accessing WASH services.  56% of direct beneficiaries will be women, and girls and 8% people with disabilities. The Gender Equality Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor is part of SNV Country program and works for the Clean Faces, Clean Environment – A Path to Sustaining Trachoma Elimination project but also provide support to other projects under the Water sector.

GESI Mainstreaming and Technical Support:

• Lead the integration of gender equality and social inclusion into all aspects of project planning, implementation, and monitoring.
• Conduct gender and inclusion analyses to identify barriers that affect equitable access to WASH and trachoma elimination services.
• Support the development of GESI-responsive strategies, guidelines, and tools in collaboration with the Behaviour Change Communication and MEL teams.
• Ensure that women, youth, and persons with disabilities are meaningfully engaged in community structures such as WASHCOs, School WASH Clubs, and Clean Home Competitions.
• Provide technical support to government and partner staff to apply GESI principles in programme delivery.
• Gives input to the Project Manager and project partners to meet the agreed objectives and realize successful interventions
• Identifies opportunities and areas for improvement to ensure quality delivery.

Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening:

• Identify the knowledge gaps and organize and facilitate training sessions for Health and Education Bureau staff, Woreda focal persons, and community facilitators on gender, inclusion, and social accountability.
• Support the integration of GESI in the Health Extension Programme, school hygiene education, and community-led sanitation initiatives.
• Strengthen local women’s and youth groups to enhance their leadership and participation in hygiene promotion and environmental improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with regional institutions and CSOs to promote disability inclusive.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:

• Support the development of GESI indicators and monitor participation and benefit-sharing among different social groups.
• Work closely with the MEL team to track progress on gender and inclusion outcomes using disaggregated data.
• Coordinate with the project SBCC Advisor, Capacity Building Advisor and the Water and Sanitation Construction Engineer, ensure the gender disaggregated record keeping
• Document lessons learned, case studies, and good practices on gender and inclusion to inform adaptive programming.
• Contribute to periodic project reviews and donor reporting on GESI integration.
• Continuous assessment of the effectiveness of GESI trainings to partners, and beneficiaries of the project on gender equality and social inclusion.
• Visit project field staff, promote, and encourage initiation of gender equality social inclusion innovative ideas.
• Present the quarterly plans and reports in the national level quarterly meetings.
• Regularly communicate with the project manager, national and regional team members and other project stakeholders about project progress and challenges at the national and regional levels.

Partnership, Coordination, and Advocacy

• Strengthen collaboration with government offices such as the Bureau of Women and Social Affairs, the Health Bureau, and the Education Bureau to institutionalize GESI in WASH–NTD integration.
• Engage with local leaders, faith-based organizations, and community influencers to promote equitable social norms and inclusive behaviour change.
• Represent the project in regional and national GESI and WASH coordination platforms and learning events.
• Advocate for policy and institutional improvements that advance gender equality and inclusion in the trachoma elimination agenda.
• Support other Peoject in the Water sector in areas of GESI
• Represent SNV in the national and regional coordination forums/meetings, Working Groups.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project manager and Water sector Lead.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Sociology, Social Work, Development Studies, Public Health, Community Development, or a related social science field.
• At least four years of experience in GESI. WASH or health related experience is an advantage.
• Fluency in Local language of the project implementation area and English languages as a working language of SNV.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills.
• Proven experience in undertaking activities aimed WAS or Health and Capacity Building of community and government staff and institutions.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and a strong track record in meeting deliverables and donor deadlines.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Competent and motivated, result driven and quality orientation.
• Ability to work independently and under stressful conditions.
• Team player and able and willing to perform tasks to make the project successful.

Competencies:

• Problem analysis
• Communication
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Perseverance

Contract Type: National - Full time

Expected start date:  1st January 2026

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa - Ethiopia

Contract Duration: One year, with the possibility of extension based on budget availability and performance. 

How to Apply? 
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on November 24th, 2025. 

Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality. 
If your experience and skills match the position's requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV  
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for national and internationally determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.