Project Manager, Gender

Type: Consultancy 

Languages Required: English and Hindi

Duration: One year (to be extended based on performance for a maximum period of three years) 

Employer: Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE)

Location: New Delhi

Reporting to: Co-Lead, SWAYAM

About IWWAGE:

Institute for What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE) aims to build on existing research and generate new evidence to inform and facilitate the agenda of women’s economic empowerment. IWWAGE is an initiative of LEAD, an action-oriented research centre of IFMR Society (a not-for-profit society registered under the Societies Act). LEAD has strategic oversight and brand support from Krea University (sponsored by IFMR Society) to enable synergies between academia and the research centre. 

IWWAGE has recently signed a MoU with BRAC International with the objective of helping the Government  to scale the ultra-poor graduation initiative  and social protection strategies for people living in extreme poverty and vulnerable situations, particularly women. The Ultra Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI) is a multifaceted set of interventions designed to ensure food security, social inclusion and sustainable economic livelihoods to enable the poorest to graduate out of poverty. The interventions include social protection to meet their basic needs, providing training and assets for income generation, financial literacy, savings support, social empowerment through community engagement and life skills training- all facilitated through in person coaching.

About BRAC and DAY-NRLM:

BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI), an initiative of BRAC International, aims to support governments in scaling the Graduation approach to reduce extreme poverty. The Graduation approach is a multifaceted set of interventions designed to enable people living in extreme poverty to “graduate” out of poverty.  The interventions include meeting their basic needs, a significant productive asset and training to use it for income generation, financial literacy and savings support, and regular household coaching to support aspirations and productivity. BRAC has signed an MoU with DAY-NRLM under the Ministry of Rural Development, GoI, to support the implementation of an inclusive livelihoods programme for households living in extreme poverty.

The NPMU structure at the national level will provide implementation and coordination support across the programme. The team will be embedded within the DAY-NRLM office.

About the Position:

In this context, IWWAGE is seeking applications for the position of Project Manager for providing program support to the effective management of Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI) programs by contributing to the program design, formulation, and implementation. The Project Manager will work with the program team at IWWAGE and in close collaboration with the BRAC team at NMMU. The candidate will also undertake field visits for effective implementation and guidance to the  State Rural Livelihood Mission and civil society, ensuring desired results. 

The position broadly entails ensuring smooth coordination of partners NPMU, BRAC, IWWAGE, and others in implementing the project activities. The candidate will also support the Co-Lead in embedding gender within the activities. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support to the implementation and management of the program;
• Provide strong management support to the project, and ensure timely deliverables of project activities;
• Coordinate and strengthen relationships between the project’s UPGI national partners at the State level, raise potential problems, and suggest UPGI solutions;
• Undertake timely field visits to gather first-hand information and inputs to support the embedding of gender in the identified UPGI interventions;
•  Identify opportunities for capacity building of target beneficiaries on  gender, coordinate and facilitate technical/ programming support and training;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive gender-intentional strategy within the Graduation Approach program, aligned with overall goals and objectives;
• Regular monitor progress on program activity, results and indicators;
• Co-ordinate with other thematic leads and PMU lead in DAY NRLM to improve the delivery of the program;
• Support Co-lead and provide technical support in developing and finalising background documents, briefs and presentations related to planned activities.

Required Qualifications:

Competencies 

• Proven experience in  programme management and implementation;
• Strong knowledge of gender equality, women’s economic empowerment and livelihood;
• Knowledge of UPGI is an added advantage;
• Awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues;
• Timely and quality program design and inputs to strategic note;
• Strong organisational skills and ability to pay close attention to details;
• Creative problem-solving, effective communication, inclusive collaboration and stakeholder management.

Academic Qualification

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender Studies, International Development, or a related field is required.

Professional Experience

• At least eight to ten years of work experience at the National or International level in gender equality, women collectives, and livelihoods;
• Technical working experience in DAY NRLM or any women empowerment-related projects;
• Experience in maintaining strong relationships with international organisations and national governments;
• Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors.

Application Instructions:

Please collate your resume, cover letter and writing sample in one PDF and apply in the form here. 

Note: Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each candidate individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview purposes.