The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development and promotion of private-sector enterprise and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities.

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-denominational international development agency established in 1967 by His Highness the Aga Khan. Its mission is to develop and promote creative solutions to problems that impede social development, primarily in Asia and East Africa. Created as a private, non-profit foundation under Swiss law, it has branches and independent affiliates in 19 countries.

AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote or resource poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health.

POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Gender Specialist of the PIU will be responsible to make sure the required gender equality and inclusion standard guidelines, forms and manuals are prepared, and the PIEs and their contractors are executing the commitments of AKF in term of gender equality and gender inclusion throughout the project implementation. The Gender Specialist of PIU under the direct supervision of the ESM Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    To follow and ensure Gender Equality, Gender Inclusion, Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Gender Integration Action Plan according to the project ESMF and AKF’s ESCP.
•    To make sure the Gender Inclusion and Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines and Gender Equality Strategy of the project is implemented by IPs and their contractors.
•    Assist on the design and develop required gender inclusion and gender mainstreaming forms, guidelines, and manual to assist the IPs and their contractors to assure the equal, safe and meaningful participation of women/girls’ beneficiaries in the project from planning, implementation and monitoring and use of the water and sanitation projects.
•    In consultation with AKF Safeguarding Unit, and as part of the sub-projects ESCP, collaborate and implement a SEA/SH Action Plan, to assess and manage the risks of SEA and SH in project.
•    Ensure dissemination of information to women/ PAPs as proposed in the project ESMF. Carry out assessment of women affected by the project; assess vulnerability and entitlement issues and coordinate with IPs and contractors.
•    Coordinate with IPs ESM officers for ensuring women participation in the implementation of the ESMF provisions especially social development issues during ESMP implementation.  
•    Assist ESM Unit to identify training needs of the key counterparts and support the IPs ESM Officer in the development and delivery of identified trainings.
•    Support the IPs ESM Officers and TPMA officers in gathering data for community profiles and on the program’s impact on improving access to quality water for women and children.
•    Support ESM Unit on identification of opportunities for the participation of women and girls in WERP sub-projects and make recommendations to the IPs ESM Officer, PIU Head, AKF, IPs and contractors on appropriate measures to be taken.
•    Support and facilitate the IPs ESM Officers in social audits and beneficiaries’ satisfaction survey upon completion of the projects.  
•    Monitor the participation of women in the implementation of projects to ensure compliance with the terms agreed within projects mobilization, community consultation and participation.  Where compliance is weak take appropriate measures to facilitate dialogue on the agreed terms and make recommendations to address challenges that arise.
•    Support IPs ESM Officers to monitor the implementation and progress towards achieving the project gender focused targets.  This includes identifying problems and bottlenecks (current and potential) related to implementation of the works and suggesting solutions or preventive strategies.
•    Provide input on gender-specific activities into projects monthly reports on project progress highlighting relevant implementation challenges and measures to address such challenges as they arise and ensure timely reporting to the PIU at all times.
•    Prepare and conduct together with ESM Unit Gender related capacity building courses, workshops and trainings for the PIU, IPs and their contractors and communities to make sure they are aware of the project gender equality strategy, gender mainstreaming and gender inclusion in the project activities and are applying it during implementation of the project.
•    Assist the ESM unit of PIU with conducting SEA/SH Risk Mitigation workshops and training for project, IPs staff and project implementing contractors.
•    Make sure women and girls have safe and desired access to the GRM of the project. Their complaints are received safely, registered, analyzed, reported and feedback is provided properly and on time.
•    Provide monthly, quarterly and annual reports on implementation of Gender related issues of the project, to the PIU, AKF and WB.
•    To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects AKF (Afg)'s commitment to safeguarding staff, beneficiaries and protecting children from harm and abuse in accordance with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding policy.  
•    To report any suspicions or actual violations of the Safeguarding Policy and/or Child Safeguarding Policy as per the given training.

OCCASIONAL SIGNIFICANT DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
•    Can represent PIU in WB and IPs gender meetings on the implementation of the project.

DECISION-MAKING & AUTHORITY
•    Will have the authority to decide on all gender inclusion and gender equality aspects of the project.
•    Will be member of PIEs performance evaluation committee.
•    Will be member of PIU- Senior Management Team.

JOB SPECIFICATION
•    University degree from a certified university in social sciences, international relations, gender studies, public administration, development studies or related field.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders and team members.
•    Fluency in English, Farsi/Dari, and Pashtu languages.
•    Demonstrated willingness to work in the field at the community level and specific experience facilitating dialogue with women’s groups.  Knowledge of gender issues in Afghanistan is essential.  Knowledge of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods would be a distinct advantage.
•    At least 5 years of professional experience in the Government, NGO and/or UN Agency context, including experience working in the field.  
•    Experience working in the fields related to gender inclusion, social protection and poverty reduction. 
•    Experience with community development infrastructure projects/ programs will be an advantage.
•    Able to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES
•    Very good knowledge and experience in conflict resolution and problem solving in community driven development contexts.
•    Familiarity with communities, CDCs, DDAs and CSO will be required.
•    Knowledge and ability to apply computer applications to include MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

APPLICATION
Interested applicants should submit their CV along with a cover letter to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 06th January 2025.

Important Notes:
•    Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying.
•    No supporting documents (e.g., diplomas, recommendation letters, identification card(s) etc.) are required at this stage.
•    Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.
•    Salary scale: Grade C based on NTA Salary scale.

Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and safeguarding of children, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees in accordance with AKF(Afg)’s safeguarding policy.
Your details and information shared on this advertisement shall remain confidential.

The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge. 

Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org. Please note that each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference. After you submit your application, you will immediately receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt.

Aga Khan Foundation - Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and at-risk adults are recruited to work for us. In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment AKF (Afg) implement a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented.
 
Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy at all times. 

By sharing your cover letter and resume with AKF (Afg) in response to this job application, applicants consent AKF (Afg) to keep this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes.

We request all job seekers to be attentive and report any instances of individuals or entities claiming to charge fees on behalf of AKF Afghanistan to AKFA.HR@akdn.org. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures that your career aspirations are supported without any financial burden during recruitment.