Gender Expert, International Development At American Institutes for Research

Overview

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, AIR is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners. Our mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world.

AIR’s International Development Division (IDD) strives to improve the quality of life in developing countries by using rigorous research and evaluation to enhance education and social development. We work across a wide range of topics including workforce development, agriculture/food/nutrition, early childhood development, education, refugees and migration, social protection, water/sanitation/infrastructure, and women’s empowerment in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America as well as the Middle East. The IDD generates policy-relevant evidence through rigorous monitoring, evaluations, and research; helps improve program design through continuous learning and adaptation; and works with local organizations and governments to build sustainable solutions based on evidence.

AIR is seeking a full-time Gender Expert to support USAID-funded projects as well as other potential funders such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF.

Responsibilities

The Gender Expert will be responsible for providing technical assistance to home office and field staff to ensure projects integrate gender considerations into project design and planning. The Gender Expert will also provide technical assistance toward integrating gender into monitoring, evaluation and learning work. Responsibilities include:

• Analyze gender issues across country/region programs and develop strategies for gender equality programming
• Provide technical support on gender issues to all program and partners, making complex technical information accessible and useable by non-specialists
• Participate in initial program discussions, proposal reviews and bilateral discussions to help ensure that the needs of women, men, boys and girls are adequately addressed
• Actively develop networks and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders as well as representation and coordination at regional level
• Facilitate and support the integration of gender perspectives in the overall strategic planning, needs assessments and programming
• Mobilize, train and provide on-going technical support to technical coordinators and program teams on gender, focusing on how to design and implement their programs in a more gender-sensitive manner
• Develop tools/methodologies to enhance gender awareness-raising, mainstreaming and analysis
• Support monitoring, evaluation and learning activities, processes, documentation, and data analysis
• Support gender capacity development processes including identifying capacity-building needs and providing gender training to staff, beneficiaries, key stakeholders and partners, as necessary
• Provide technical advice and training to project team members and local counterparts regarding gender equity best practices and methodologies

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in international development/affairs, economics, or similar field preferred
• Minimum 7 years program experience in international development, preferably promoting gender equality
• Experience in designing and implementing gender sensitive development programs
• Strong knowledge of gender and global development issues, preferably with understanding of USAID’s approach to gender equality
• Experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating advocacy/gender projects and programs
• Experience with USAID MEL, CLA, and implementation
• Knowledge of and experience working with women’s empowerment measures
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced, small-team environment
• Flexible, team-oriented attitude and strong organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in cross-cultural settings
• Ability to work well independently with limited supervision
• Ability to travel overseas about 20% time

Disclosures:

AIR requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a legally required exemption from AIR, as a condition of employment. AIR will ask candidates to verify their vaccination status only after a conditional offer of employment is made. Applicants should not provide information about their vaccination status or need for exemption prior to receiving a conditional offer of employment from AIR.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.