Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) Specialist

Position:

Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) Specialist

Division:

Project Delivery

Report to:

PM Power Sector TA (D) and Road Maintenance

Band:

C

Background & Project Description

In September 2017, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $500 million compact agreement with the Government of Nepal. The Compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India—helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth. The compact agreement is valid for a period of five years, and is currently in implementation stage, prior to Entry-Into-Force (EIF) at which time the five-year time period begins. 

Pursuant to the aforementioned agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal entity. This position will assume a critical role in the success of MCA-Nepal. 

Position Objective

The Specialist, Gender and Social Inclusion, under the supervision of the Project Managers for the Power Sector Technical Assistance and Road Maintenance, is responsible for the implementation of the gender and social inclusion interventions of the TA as described below.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations

• In coordination with the quality assurance (social) director and other MCA-N GSI specialists, support the development and implementation of the Social and Gender Integration Plan (SGIP).
• In coordination with the reform specialist, implement the institutionalization of a lifeline tariff in the Government policy.
• Coordinate and oversee studies for determining low-income and poor households’ ability to access electricity and examine affordability of electricity services.
• Coordinate inclusive consultations among key government, civil society and the communities to better understand issues, barriers and challenges poor and marginalized women and men experience in accessing and using electricity. 
• Support the development of policy and other measures to address key barriers.
• Support strengthening the capacity of the Electricity Regulator Commission in its responsibility to promote and monitor social equity in the sector.

Planning

• In coordination with the transmission specialist, support the design and implementation of the program for strengthening the capacity of NEA’s Environment and Social Studies Department’s (ESTD) in conducting social impact assessment and inclusive stakeholder engagement. 
• Support institutional capacity assessment of ESTD vis-à-vis its responsibilities in social impact assessment of infrastructure projects.
• Support assessment of the adequacy of policy and regulatory framework, guidelines and tools for conducting effective social impact assessment of infrastructure projects.
• Support the assessment of staff and management perceptions of the performance of ESTD in social impact assessment- identify gaps, risks and opportunities.
• Support field assessment and community consultations to understand challenges and gaps of past social impact assessments of projects.
• Coordinate consultations with key international development partners such as USAID, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and others who support the ESTD.
• Based on analysis and consultations, support the development of guidelines, tools and training programs relevant for improving the institutional capacity of ESTD.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• In coordination with the Road Maintenance Project Manager, integrate gender and social inclusion into the Road Maintenance Project implementation.
• Support and implement other GSI responsibilities
• Coordinate and support the implementation of the Environment and Social Management Plan
• Support MCC Counter-Trafficking Policy requirement compliance in compact implementation.
• Coordinate with M&E staff in supporting gender and social inclusion data collection and M&E

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

• Bachelors’ Degree (Required) and Advanced (Master’s Degree or higher preferred) from a recognized institution in the following or equivalent fields: Natural or Social science, Sociology,  Social Work, Anthropology, Community Development, Gender Studies;
• At least five (5) years of cumulative experience (notwithstanding whether earned before, after or during pursuit of required academic qualification) in policy and program development for social inclusion
• Experience in socio-economic studies and data analysis to inform policy and program development.
• Experience in addressing social exclusion through policy and programs in electricity projects
• Good written and oral communication skills, ability to work with wide range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience in integrating social inclusiveness in project implementation
• Written and spoken fluency in Nepali and English
• Experience working in the energy sector preferred. 

This Position Description is subject to revisions/updates as necessary to ensure alignment to the organization’s strategic direction and structure. Revisions to the description are subject to applicable Human Resources policies and procedures, and official versions of each Position Description are maintained by Human Resources.