Company Profile

ABOUT US:                                                                                

Right To Play is a global organisation that protects, educates and empowers children to rise above adversity through the power of play. We help millions of children each year to stay in school and out of work, to prevent life-threatening diseases and to stay safe from exploitation and abuse. We are the leading global development organization that uses play to transform the lives of children and youth impacted by poverty, war, disease and inequality. 

Established in 2000, Right To Play reaches children through experiential programming in 15 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These programs are supported by our headquarters in Toronto, Canada; London, UK and seven national offices across Europe and North America. 

With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:

• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.

Job Description

• Department/Division: Programs Development
• Work Location: Accra, Ghana
• Target Hiring Range:  GHS 11,000 – GHS 13,000 gross monthly salary (before deductions)
• Target Start Date:   February 2025
• Contract Duration:   Full-time / Permanent / 1 year contract with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funds.
• Application Closing Date:  Open until position is filled.

JOB SUMMARY

The Gender Specialist reports directly to the Country Director and technically to HQ Gender specialist. The incumbent is responsible and accountable for the improved integration of gender equality into all programs and projects, development of gender-specific programming and initiatives, building the gender capacity of Right To Play and its partners, and advising on the integration of gender equality into organizational practices such as recruitment and retention of female staff. He/she provides technical support to effective gender program knowledge management initiatives, ensuring adequate collection, management and sharing of information/knowledge generated to orient/affect decision making in Programme management. The Gender Specialist liaises closely with Gender Specialists in other countries and HQ to share best practices and lessons learned for improved gender programming across the Africa region including gender-based research initiatives and evidence generation on the contribution of RTP program approaches to harnessing gender equality in the country.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Responsibility #1: Strategic planning and program design and implementation (30% of Time):

• Leads detailed context analysis including needs assessments and gender analyses at program and project levels.
• Advises the Country Director on strategic program priorities in relation to gender and integration of gender equality in the country strategic plan.
• Provides inputs to country team to ensure appropriate inclusion of gender perspective in all decisions and policies based on country context and global organizational policies on gender equality.
• Designs and develops gender program strategies, activities and plans in country ensuring they are in line with program objectives and results.
• Participates in the development of new proposals and concept notes, providing advice to ensure appropriate integration of gender equality into future programming.
• Advises and supports the implementation of gender focused program activities within the country including specific research projects on gender equality.
• Guides the approach to gender mainstreaming and ensures it is responsive to program needs.
• Develops relationship with gender specialists at HQ and country programs to share lessons learned and best practices.
• Ensures that specific donor requirements related to gender equality are well understood and implemented by program and other relevant teams.

Job Responsibility #2: Monitoring and Evaluation impact measurement, learning and reporting (25% of Time):

• Provides technical advice and input on the design and implementation of transparent and accountable mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress of the country office on the integration of gender equality at programming and country levels.
• Advises on the gender sensitive indicators that should be incorporated into program and project-level performance measurement frameworks; advises on gender-sensitive data-collection methodologies.
• Supports monitor the overall integration of gender equality in the country program, gathers lessons learned, and builds upon strengths and improves on weaknesses.
• In collaboration with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning team, participates in regular monitoring and evaluation as required to ensure quality integration of gender equality into programming and adherence to donor’s deliverables and RTP program management tools.
• Monitors the external contexts and emerging needs regarding gender equality to introduce programmatic changes as necessary.
• Leads the development of gender specific progress reports.
• Assists as required in the review of RTP documentation, policies, procedures and manuals.

• Conducts capacity assessments and facilitates capacity building for country office staff and RTP partners to enhance their capacity, confidence and effective implementation of gender strategies, activities and the integration of gender equality in all projects and programs.
• Ensures identification and satisfaction of training needs of RTP country office and RTP partner staff on relevant standards and instruments for gender equality.
• Designs and implements demand-driven program approaches and methodologies aiming towards capacity building, working in partnerships, policy analysis and advocacy.
• Designs and documents training modules and capacity building processes on gender mainstreaming, gender transformative programming and gender advocacy.
• In collaboration with HQ Gender Specialist and the human resources coordinator, develops and supports appropriate training and capacity building to ensure that the anti-harassment provisions in RTP policies as well as the Code of Conduct are respected by RTP staff.

Job Responsibility #4: Networking, partnership and advocacy (20% of Time):

• Networks with gender focused professionals and institutions.
• Supports RTP’s policy advocacy and engagement with key government stakeholders on gender equality.
• Represents RTP in established gender focused fora, networks and conferences.
• Facilitates coordination with other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on gender, on strategic policy and programming issues.
• Establishes and strengthens gender focused technical partnerships.
• Advises on the development of communication to raise awareness concerning RTP’s engagement on gender equality.

Job Responsibility #5: Perform other duties as assigned (5% of Time):

Required Skills or Experience

EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION:

· Master’s degree in gender and development studies or related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5 years’ experience in Program management, including a minimum of three years practical gender Program management experience (including gender mainstreaming, leading gender analysis)
• Significant track record in capacity building in gender equality (of civil society, government, and other actors)
• Extensive experience in research, monitoring and evaluation (development of gender sensitive and transformative indicators, gender mainstreaming logical frameworks)
• Demonstrated working knowledge on the principles and challenges related to the integration of gender equality into development programming 
• Experience working with an international donor would be considered a strong asset

COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Strategic and conceptual thinking ability
• Excellent relationship building and communication skills
• Ability to build commitment of others
• Good knowledge of analytical tools and skills particularly those that pertain to advice on gender issues and perspectives

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Facilitation, negotiation and networking skills including facilitating change, innovation, initiating action and capacity building Excellent editorial skills
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office and Excel Excellent knowledge and skills of gender analysis and gender mainstreaming in program development and planning

LANGUAGES: 

Fluency in spoken and written English and local language(s)