Background
NRECA International (NRECA) is a rural development organization with the mission to increase access to reliable electric services in developing countries. Since 1962, NRECA’s programs have focused on improving and expanding electric infrastructure, establishing self-sustaining and well-managed electric utilities, and providing technical assistance to national electrification planners.
In October 2021, Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP), funded by USAID, was launched as a collaboration between implementing partners, REA and NRECA. ZECDP is designed to demonstrate that the community-owned electric cooperative business model can play an important role in the expansion of electricity service to rural communities and will be implemented from 2021 through to September 2026.
The goals of ZECDP include:

 Increasing access to electric service in multiple rural communities.
 Demonstrating that a sustainable and robust service provider model that is community-based offers potential for increased local investment and for project success that is not solely driven by profitability; and
 Increasing personal income-generating activities for cooperative members through productive uses of energy.

Job Summary
The National Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist will serve as a full-time ZECDP team member working at the ZECDP office in Lusaka, Zambia. The objective of this position is to provide programmatic and technical support to the ZECDP team, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that ZECDP contributes to closing Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) gaps and ensure that women, youth, and other excluded groups, participate in and benefit from the electric cooperatives. The incumbent will collaborate with the Analysis and Engineering Team, and the Community Development Specialist to review, update and implement the GSI Strategy and Action Plan. The National GSI Specialist will also ensure that GSI principles guide ZECDP operational procedures and processes, including recruitment and human resources policies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The main responsibility of the GSI specialist is to support the implementation of the program’s GSI Strategy and Action Plan. The specific tasks are:
Implementation of the GSI Strategy:

Prepare and lead the Gender and Social assessments in identified projects, and review and update the program GSI Strategy and Action Plan, as needed, based on the assessment findings.
Develop and manage the GSI assessment datasets for each identified project.
Prepare and conduct before and after surveys to assess the program’s GSI performance and impacts.
Provide programmatic and technical support to the NRECA team for the implementation of a GSI Strategy and Action Plan.
 Provide the necessary support to the cooperatives to effectively implement the GSI Strategy and Action Plan.
 Act as the main contact and helpdesk for all GSI-related activities for the program, NRECA, partners, and any consultants assigned to the program.
Participate in the NRECA Community of Practice to share insights and collaborate on necessary research on GSI activities.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting:

Define and implement a GSI learning agenda for the program.
Monitor GSI implementation including field-based data collection, evaluation of progress, updating the M&E framework, preparation of progress reports and dissemination of results with the project team and cooperative partners.
Identify successful practices and lessons learnt in the program and showcase these in relevant publications, communication materials, communities of practice, and conferences.
Amend and/or update GSI activities based on results of M&E.
 Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans in collaboration with the Program Manager.

Oversight:

Ensure that all program GSI policies, procedures and practices comply with relevant Zambian policies and laws.
Stay informed on trends in GSI in decentralized energy initiatives, the Zambian energy sector, and Cooperatives Policy, and advise the program leadership on issues and opportunities for engagement.
Perform any other activity under the scope of the GSI Strategy and Action Plan.

Job Requirement:

A bachelor’s degree in Gender and/or Social Inclusion, Sociology, or Development Studies with at least 5 -7 years of relevant work experience. A graduate degree will be an added advantage.
Experience in application of GSI principles in rural communities is required, in one or more of the following:
Experience in integrating, designing, managing, and implementing practical GSI activities in projects, including MEL frameworks;
Experience developing and delivering GSI-themed training, organizational capacity-building and awareness raising, and conducting GSI-focused assessments;
 Experience in the design of rural entrepreneurship activities for the economic empowerment of women and excluded groups; and
Experience in the energy sector and a strong understanding of GSI issues in the energy sector.
 Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
 Strong communication skills. Working knowledge of English and at least one major Zambian language is required.
Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, teamwork, and leadership.
Capable of working independently with minimal supervision and must also be a good collaborator and coordinator.
Women, persons under the age of 35 and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to the Program Manager

Apply to:
Applicants should send an up-to-date CV with contact information and three professional references to [email protected] by 31st August 2023