Abt Global is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the role of GEDSI Coordinator to be based in Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea 

Gender Equality Disability & Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Coordinator

Location: Buka Commencement: 02nd January 2025 Duration of contract: Up to 28.02.2026 Open to PNG Citizens 

About the Program 

The Bougainville Partnership (BP) took on its current form in 2016, inheriting activities from a number of separately administered initiatives. The new program commencing April 2022 is identified as a key element of the new Australian Subnational Strategic Framework for PNG, recently established to bring together a rationale and operational framework for a set of place-based initiatives that reflect geographical priorities based on the mutual interests of Australia and PNG.

For Australia the emergence of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Bougainville is a key national interest; supporting the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to implement the Bougainville Peace Agreement is an explicit commitment in the 2017 White Paper. An overriding interest is to maintain the peace that the Agreement brought about and that is enabled by political dialogue, within and outside Bougainville, and economic development. It implies a readiness to engage for the long term, accepting that the development of institutions and diversified economic opportunities will be slow.

The structure of the program remains similar to the Bougainville Partnership’s previous program, but with updated outcomes as follows:

Pillar 1 - Capable institutions

1. GoPNG and ABG institutions are able to carry out high priority tasks that support Bougainville’s development and the post-referendum dialogue: Supporting defined tasks connected with the development of essential institutions, the draw-down of powers, Post-Referendum Dialogue and/or an aligned road map that leads towards greater autonomy.

Pillar 2 - Economic development

2. ABG and business associations jointly plan and implement initiatives to improve the private sector environment for inclusive economic development: Measures to improve the environment for private sector development and deepen the dialogue between the government and the private sector will be promoted through technical assistance.

3. Women and men engaged in primary production have increased incomes and benefit from inclusive associations and cooperatives: The current agricultural value chain activities will be continued, focusing on improving cocoa quality and linking producers to markets. This objective must be complemented with an economic inclusive policy and strategy that facilitates the interest of women, youth and people living with disabilities to actively participate and benefit from the economic activities. 

Pillar 3 - Stronger communities

4. Community, youth and women’s groups collaborate effectively to establish sustainable community assets, deliver services and advocate for their target groups: Formerly the peace-building component, activities will include continuation and expansion of the existing successful community grants program, initiatives to provide skills and foster networks for youth, and community infrastructure.

Pillar Crosscutting Outcome:

5. Women increasingly participate in decision making and take on leadership roles in civic, economic and political spaces: The program will use the entry points from its range of activities to promote women’s leadership.

About the Opportunity 

The GEDSI Coordinator will work closely with the GEDSI Manager and the BP management team to implement the GEDSI Strategy. and be responsible for:

Supporting the implementation of the BP GEDSI Work Plan (attachment A). Supporting the design, implementation, management and monitoring and reporting of GEDSI-related project activities.

Key Responsibilities 

Coordinate the implementation of the Bougainville Partnership GEDSI Strategy to achieve the following Outcomes:

Enhanced program coherence to improve BP visibility of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion across all Pillars. Improved coordination and visibility of gender and inclusion development efforts in Bougainville undertaken by development partners and key stakeholders. Enhanced participation of women and underrepresented groups in leadership, decision making and peace building, including at the community government and ward assembly levels. Increased economic and job opportunities for women, youth and persons living with disabilities. Increased economic and job opportunities for women, youth and persons living with disabilities. Formal and traditional Institutions and governance arrangements demonstrate enhanced commitment to gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion, including people living with disabilities. Improved coordination and management of efforts undertaken by grant partners and key stakeholders.

Specific Deliverables:

Specifically, the GEDSI Coordinator will:

Support the GEDSI Manager by coordinating the implementation of the BP GEDSI Work Plan. Support  the management, monitoring and performance reporting of approved GEDSI project activities. Support the integration of gender and inclusion into BP monitoring and evaluation frameworks and program tools. Support mainstreaming of GEDSI activities across the BP. Support the implementation of GEDSI grants across the BP. Work closely with BP management to ensure gender policy compliance, and gender integration in systems and procedures. Serve as the BP focal point for staff on issues related to gender & social inclusion policy compliance. Support the building of strong stakeholder partnerships to support coordination and encourage collaborative approaches to promoting gender equality and social inclusion awareness. Participate in the Abt GESI Community of Practice meetings and core GESI & Safeguarding unit. Coordinate and implement all administration tasks that are related to all GEDSI program activities, grant management processes and compliance. Implement GEDSI related payments and acquittals. Undertake other duties as required. Support Conduct/Facilitate GEDSI Trainings for BP staff and program partners. Conduct/Facilitate Safeguarding Trainings for BP staff and program partners. Conduct/Facilitate Disability Trainings for BP staff and program partners. Coordinate the BP Safeguarding Focal Points COP Committee meetings.

Key working relationships 

BP Management team – BP GEDSI Manager, Team Leader Arawa & Buka, Operations Manager. ABG – key departments including Office of the President & Chief Secretary, and the Dept. Community Development. Various donors and NGOs.

About You:

Qualifications:

A minimum of a first degree in a relevant subject such as sociology, social anthropology, economics, international development or a related field.

Skills and Experiences

Minimum 5-6 years of relevant practical experience in gender equity, disability and social inclusion in a development context. Strong understanding and experience of theoretical frameworks and approaches for gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, disability inclusion in government and social exclusion. Demonstrated experience in gender and inclusion mainstreaming, including disability inclusion. Demonstrated expertise and a requisite level of knowledge and skills in gender and disability inclusion institutional strengthening, including with the non-government sector. Prior experience working in PNG and/or Bougainville. Demonstrated experience in gender and disability inclusion monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, including coordination of processes for both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Demonstrated experience in the development and conduct of gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation, including competence in the formulation of qualitative and quantitative indicators, and the identification and utilisation of strategic indicators for programming. Good quality analytical and written communication skills with demonstrated experience preparing reports and professional documents for program management. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with key stakeholders to gain collective support to influence and drive change.

Personal Attributes 

Superior communication skills, inter-personal skills, and tact in working with a range of government and civil society stakeholders with the ability to work in a multicultural environment with respect for diversity. Intermediate MS Office knowledge and experience – outlook, word, excel.

How to Apply

Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document. Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organization will not be accepted.  The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt. 

Abt Associates is a Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery, and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities. 

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date:  November 22nd November 2024 (5pm, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT