Project Development Specialist (Gender)

Lilongwe, Malawi

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Project Development Specialist (Gender) has the following duties:

1. Policy Advisor and Mission Representation
The incumbent serves as the Mission’s Point of Contact for gender equality and provides highly
qualified policy and technical advice to technical teams on compliance with USAID’s gender
equality-related and other policies and legal requirements. S/he advises the Program Office,
technical teams, and Mission gender points of contact throughout all aspects of the Program
Cycle to ensure that these policies and legal requirements are carried out in the implementation
of USAID’s activities. S/he participates in the activity design process, as appropriate, to ensure
that gender equality-related policies are integrated into sector-specific activities using
transformative, intersectional approaches. S/he provides updates on progress, challenges, and
opportunities and seeks input from Mission leadership as appropriate. The incumbent leads or
co-leads an internal interoffice gender working group with technical staff, other gender advisors,
and Mission gender points of contact. S/he provides regular direct support to gender working
groups among USAID implementing partners.

2. Activity and Project Design and Development
The incumbent provides gender expertise in the design and implementation of relevant sector
activities, e.g., health, education, democracy, human rights, governance, economic growth,
infrastructure, and water and sanitation. S/he leads and oversees cross-office teams in activity
design, ensuring that the appropriate stakeholders are represented and involved in the analysis
and conceptualization of activities. In close coordination with the Strategic Integration Advisors,
the Specialist is responsible for providing guidance and assistance to Mission and Technical Office
staff on all matters related to project design and development. S/he participates in the design,
development, and coordination of activity designs and ensures that activity designs align with
the U.S. government, USAID, and Mission’s priorities, strategies, and guidance. S/he assists both
PRO and the Technical Office(s) in planning, managing, and guiding the design and development
of assistance projects. This requires the incumbent to develop a strong understanding of the
USAID/Malawi’s five-year Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS), Development
Objective project design documents, Mission’s activity design guidance, other U.S. strategic
frameworks, and the Government of Malawi’s priorities and initiatives in order to represent U.S.
and Malawi equities as relevant. S/he collaborates with staff across the Mission to ensure
compliance with Agency policies related to activity design and implementation. This requires the
incumbent to stay current on U.S. and Malawi legal, policy, and regulatory requirements
pertaining to activity design and implementation. Additionally, the incumbent leads the Mission
in ensuring that gender requirements are met for all new and ongoing activities.

3. Documentation, Reporting and Training
The incumbent participates and contributes to the Mission’s Business processes, including
Operational planning, Performance Plan and Report (PPR), MRR, QFR, mid-course strategy stocktaking, portfolio reviews, strategy development, and other performance reporting tasks as
needed.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
S/he advises on Mission Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) efforts to support the
implementation of gender equality-related policies. Work with technical teams to review
project and activity MEL plans and advise on how to ensure requirements such as data
disaggregation, standard F gender and custom gender indicators, and gender-based learning
objectives are in place to comply with the relevant policies, including the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policy Act, and to measure meaningful results. Review field reporting to ensure
gender equality factors are assessed. S/he participates in field monitoring visits as appropriate
to promote the integration of and empowerment of women and men, girls and boys, and
people of diverse gender identities. S/he reviews all Portfolio Review submissions to help teams
highlight gender-related achievements and advise them where programming could be
strengthened through stronger gender integration. S/he reviews evaluation scopes of work and
advises on compliance with gender-related policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

Education: Completion of a university degree is required, whether in public policy, public or
business administration, sociology, economics, agriculture, extension and international
development.
Prior Work Experience: Minimum five (5) years of progressive increase in responsibilities in
gender equality integration work including gender analysis, and gender integration to project
design, implementation, and reporting. Experience must include design and implementation
of gender equality and equity related projects, and conducting or drawing on gender analysis,
monitoring and evaluation and/or international development research.
Language Proficiency: Level IV written and oral fluency in English and at least one local
language is required.

• Only those fulfilling the education and experience requirements listed above should submit
  their application by e-mail to: malawijobs@usaid.gov by 30 September 2023.
• To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, Offerors must prominently
  reference the Solicitation number in the offer submission. E-mails received without the
  appropriate subject line and incomplete applications will not be considered. For Solicitation number, benefits and allowances, please download this pdf
• Offerors must submit ALL the following documents to be considered:
  ● Current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.
  ● Form AID 309-2 (offeror for personal service services contract with individuals):
  https://www.usaid.gov/forms
  ● A cover letter or Summary Statement Addressing the evaluation factors.
  ● Copy of educational certificates (bachelor, master’s degree, etc.)
  ● List of a minimum of three (3) professional references with accurate telephone and email information