TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF A GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION SPECIALIST

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The Government of Rwanda and AFD signed 5-year grant and loan agreements on 8^th March 2023 to implement the AFTER II Project (Appui à la Formation Technique et l'Emploi au Rwanda) and will sign another grant and loan agreement by the end of 2024 to implement the TDT Project (TVET Transformation for Development).

AFTER II project

AFTER Il aims to improve technical and vocational education and learning conditions in order to strengthen the skills of youth in line with labor market requirements.

Project management is provided by Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) for colleges-related interventions, and Rwanda TVET Board (RTB) for TVET schools-related interventions, through their respective Single Projects Implementation Unit (SPIU), with Technical Assistance from Expertise France.

On the side of RP, the beneficiary sites are Karongi and Kitabi colleges located in Karongi and Nyamagabe Districts, respectively. On the side of RTB, the beneficiary sites are Muhororo and Cyanika TVET Schools located in Karongi and Nyamagabe Districts.

AFTER II project is divided into 4 main components and 2 cross-cutting components:

• Component 1: The RP Kitabi and Karongi colleges and TVET schools of Cyanika and Muhororo campuses are expanded, modernised and environmentally friendly
• Component 2: The training offer in the RP Kitabi and Karongi colleges and TVET schools of Cyanika and Muhororo is strengthened and more attractive
• Component 3: The link between TVET providers and the private sector is strengthened, and employment and entrepreneurship support mechanisms are more efficient
• Component 4: The quality and leadership of RP and RTB as institutions in the TVET sector are reinforced
• Cross-cutting component 5: The TVET programs are more gender responsive and inclusive and specifically address dropouts of the general education
• Cross-cutting component 6: Greening TVET – TVET programs provide youth with green skills and competencies for sustainable economic growth

TDT project

The TDT project is currently under validation by the Government of Rwanda and Agence Française de Développement, and will be implemented by Rwanda Polytechnic with the Technical Assistance of Expertise France. It is expected to start in January 2025.

The main purpose of the project is to strengthen the attractiveness of RP, in particular the two RP campuses in Kigali and Gishari. This overall objective is expressed through the following specific objectives:

• Specific Objective 1: Improve infrastructure (accommodation, catering, study spaces and collective recreational and sports activities) on the campuses of Kigali and Gishari;
• Specific Objective 2: Ensure a safer and more inclusive learning and living environment in the colleges for female students;
• Specific Objective 3: Strengthen RP and colleges management capacities in student housing, with specific attention to gender issues and engage in a dialogue on sustainable public policy for decent and inclusive student accommodation;
• Specific Objective 4: Promote the training offer and the employability of Higher TVET graduates.

Both projects are marked DAC1 on gender: gender equality is an important and deliberate objective of the projects.

Expertise France is looking to recruit a Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist to support the SPIUs of RP and RTB in strengthening gender mainstreaming at institutional level and in implementing gender-responsive and inclusion activities. This position is a 2-year full time position.

The GESI Specialist position is designed to support the overall program with expertise that embraces gender and social inclusion, following the principle of nobody is left behind. The GESI Specialist will ensure that all project components are gender-responsive as well as facilitate participation of disadvantaged groups in TVET education, working closely with RP and RTB.

Description of the assignment

The GESI specialist will be contracted by Expertise France to provide support to the SPIUs of RP and RTB on the activities of the AFTER II and TDT projects related to GESI.

Support the development and implementation of the projects GESI Action Plans

• Develop, review and update the GESI action plans of each project in collaboration with RP and RTB;
• Develop a workplan of GESI activities at institution (RP and RTB) and TVET school or college level for both projects;
• Provide follow-up on the implementation of the GESI action plans in line with project objectives;
• Support RP, RTB and the TVET schools and colleges in the implementation of the GESI action plans and all related activities.

Coordinate the implementation of GESI activities for the projects

• Support RP and RTB in the drafting of Concept Notes and Terms of Reference for the implementation of GESI activities;
• Provide inputs during the design and construction phases of the infrastructure to support the development of more inclusive campuses;
• Assess training needs and provide capacity building sessions to staff of the implementing institutions on GESI-related topics;
• Recruit national and international experts to support the implementation of activities and capacity buildings based on the identified needs.

Support Rwanda Polytechnic in promoting gender equality in its programs (TDT project)

• Conduct a participatory gender audit of RP following the ILO methodology to propose recommendations for measures at institution level;
• Support RP in the review and finalization of their Gender and Social Inclusion Strategy;
• Support RP in developing a gender responsive Masterplan and Strategy;
• Support RP in developing tools and mechanisms to facilitate the integration of women in the institutions and the colleges, including with the deployment of GBV and SEAH mechanisms.

Lead GESI topics within the Technical Assistance team

• Coordinate the administrative and logistic follow-up for GESI activities under Expertise France budgeting, to ensure compliance with Expertise France procedures;
• Ensure the Monitoring and Evaluation systems of both projects as well as the internal M&E systems of the Technical Assistance integrate GESI;
• Support the rest of the Technical Assistance team of Expertise France in mainstreaming GESI in all activities of the project.

INFORMATION ON THE POSITION

• Location: Kigali, in the Technical Assistance office hosted in the RP offices (RP Kigali college campus). Field missions to the different campuses are to be expected;
• Supervision: the position will be under the direct supervision of the Technical Assistance Team Leader, and in close collaboration with the RP and RTB teams, as well as the rest of the Technical Assistance Team (in Rwanda and Paris);
• Duration: 2-year full time position;
• Conditions: conditions of the position will be based on the candidate’s profile and experience.

MINIMUM DESIRED PROFILE OF THE CANDIDATE

The candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Master's Degree in Gender Studies, Development studies or Sociology with a Gender and Social Inclusion major, or another relevant field;
• At least 5 years of experience in Gender and Social Inclusion or related fields;
• Working experience with at least one donor-funded project.

Technical Skills

• Demonstrated experience in implementing GESI-related activities and trainings/capacity building;
• Demonstrated experience in GESI assessments and strategies;
• Demonstrated experience in supporting gender mainstreaming within institutions;
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and advocacy for GESI initiatives;
• Having conducted or been involved in a gender participatory audit is a plus;
• Full proficiency in MS office suite;
• Full written and spoken proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda; French would be an asset.

Knowledge of International Framework

• Familiarity with international gender quality and inclusion frameworks (Eg. CEDWAN-Convention of Elimination of All forms of discrimination against Women, OCDE recommendation on GE and Empowerment, GE strategy from the European Comission, etc)
• Understanding of local / regional laws, policies, and cultural contexts related to gender and social inclusion
• Knowledge of the Education and TVET sector in Rwanda would be an asset

Project Management Skills

• Experience in project planning, execution, and budget management related to GESI initiatives.

Team Work Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with various stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and community organizations.

HOW TO APPLY

The candidate who meets the qualifications should submit the following documents:

• A Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages) indicating all relevant experiences and assignments;
• Supporting documents such as Diplomas and Work certificates;
• 2 references that can be contacted.

Interested candidates should submit their applications to the following addresses: cyrielle.cahuzac@expertisefrance.fr and silas.niyitegeka@expertisefrance.fr.

The deadline for receiving applications is November 15^th 2024.

Applications not including all the above information or sent after the deadline will not be reviewed. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.