Gender Specialist at Resonance

Resonance is an award-winning frontier market solutions firm based in Burlington, Vermont that helps a variety of donor, commercial and investor clients around the world achieve lasting impact.  We envision a prosperous and just world of thriving markets, healthy ecosystems, and vibrant communities where business, governments and citizens work together creating a better world for all.

Resonance seeks to catalyze large-scale social, environmental, and economic change by new and dynamic forms of collaboration. We do this by fostering public-private partnerships, facilitating sustainable investment, and providing deep analytical insights in frontier markets.  We strive to merge strategic insight with practical on-the-ground knowledge into an integrated approach that emphasizes results.

We seek candidates who are ready to apply their analytical and problem-solving skills to some of our planet’s greatest challenges in an entrepreneurial, fun, and fast-paced environment. We are looking for passionate and committed people who can work in a highly collaborative environment to deliver results for our clients and stakeholders around the world.

Resonance is currently seeking Gender Specialist candidates to propose for an upcoming 5-year USAID-funded Zambia Alternatives to Charcoal project. The purpose of this activity is to promote energy alternatives to charcoal with the goal of reducing deforestation and forest degradation. The position is contingent upon contract award.

The Gender Specialist will report to the Chief of Party and manage the program through a broad range of technical assistance and capacity development to local governance actors, community-based organizations, or other stakeholders. This position will be responsible for leading the design and execution of the project’s gender strategy including developing capacity, reporting, coordinating, tracking and ensuring the project’s workstreams are in compliance with USAID and project gender policy, regulations and indicators.

Essential Functions

• Provide technical leadership and oversight, and integration of gender approaches across APROACH project activities
• Develop and lead the implementation of the APROACH gender strategy, including the adaptation and development of tools and approaches to support the strategy
• Work with the COP to raise awareness and capacity of project staff on issues related to gender, and to expand gender content of projects
• Conduct gender audits and research of project stakeholder organizations in the energy sector and develop practical recommendations on how to integrate gender considerations into policies, practices and operations
• Provide technical assistance to energy companies in mainstreaming gender in their business models, policies, and management systems, and provide training and education in integrating gender as a lens.
• Assess the representation and active participation of women in project-related stakeholder groups (such as community and local governance bodies)
• Support the integration of gender activities within project work plans; lead the design of gender sensitive performance indicators and gender specific tools in work planning to promote gender balance in the project implementation
• Identify potential opportunities for gender inclusion and design and implement solutions that promote gender mainstreaming
• Support development of gender sensitive behavior change communication activities and messages;
• Work closely with project staff to build their understanding of gender issues

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, environment, human resources, social sciences or related fields
• Seven (7) years of experience designing and implementing gender plans. A Master’s degree may substitute for two years of experience.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with USAID, government counterparts at all levels, local organizations, community groups, and other program partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to conceptualize, plan, guide, and implement work with demonstrated experience in integrating gender into business models in the private and public sector
• Experience developing gender-sensitive MEL plans and building a variety of partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to working within cross-cultural teams
• Proven ability to meet targets and deadlines for a project of similar scope and size
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated track record of working effectively in a teamwork environment
• Experience in providing technical assistance, including organizing and conducting workshops and trainings

Preferred Education, Experience & Competencies

• Thorough understanding of USAID gender policies and best practices
• Experience in sustainable forest management, household energy market development, natural resource management and/or other areas related to clean energy, sustainable livelihoods, and forest conservation

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.

The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Travel expectations

Ability to travel up to 20% domestically on short notice.
Work Authorization/security clearance
Ability and interest to live and work in Lusaka, Zambia.

AAP/EEO Statement

The Equal Employment Opportunity Policy of SSG-Advisors, LLC (doing business as Resonance) is to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. Resonance hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Resonance believes that employees should be provided with a working environment which enables each associate to be productive and to work to the best of his or her ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere.

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