JOB DETAILS:
1. Background
The Government of the Republic of Uganda represented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA) and other development partners including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Sweden is implementing the Industrial Transformation and Employment (INVITE) project. The Project is financed by IDA and by a Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF).

The Project Development Objective is to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on private sector investment and employment and to support new economic opportunities including refugee and host communities. The Project comprises of four (4) components and is being implemented jointly by the Bank of Uganda (BoU) through the INVITE Trust and Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU). The Project Components include Component 1: Mitigating the Impact of COVID-19 with a focus on the Manufacturing and Exporting Sectors Driving Economic Transformation, including Refugee and Hosting Districts; Component 2: Creating New Product and Transformative Assets including in Refugee and Host Districts; Component 3: Enhancing Capabilities in Public Institutions and Private Firms; and Component 4: Implementation Support, Monitoring, and Evaluation.

BoU through the INVITE Trust is implementing Component 1.1, Component 1.2, Component 1.3, Component 2.1, Component 2.2, and Component 4b.

Component 1.1 will support loans that have been restructured under the Bank of Uganda COVID-19 response approach, primarily in the manufacturing and exporting sectors by covering part of the added financial cost due to the restructuring, qualifying MSMEs who received an extension of the amortization period on their loans will reduce the MSMEs incremental cost or debt servicing liability. The cost for this rebate will be shared with Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).

Component 1.2 will target micro firms, including in Refugee Hosting Districts (RHDs), to enable them to restart or continue their operations as critical units in funding links between producers and aggregators, processors, and distributors. The majority of the micro firms to be targeted will be female owned firms that have been particularly affected. The window will provide a line of credit to Micro Finance Deposit-taking institutions (MFDs), MFIs and SACCOs regulated by the Bank of Uganda and the Uganda Micro Finance Regulatory Authority (UMRA) and in compliance with the project’s eligibility requirements.

Component 1.3 (receivables financing) seeks to provide finance to MSMEs based on security in the form of their receivables. Buyers, which are usually larger formal enterprises, normally pay their invoices with a delay of up to three months, thereby negatively affecting the liquidity of often small, informal enterprise suppliers.

Component 2.1 will target MSMEs with a focus on manufacturing and export supply chains, by setting up a Credit Guarantee Facility (CGF) to share the risks associated with new lending on a proposed 50/50 basis with PFIs and guarantee will be available to those in tier I, II and III institutions that meet the Window’s eligibility requirements.

Component 2.2 will provide long-term financing in the form of subordinated/convertible long-term local currency loans. This instrument targets key economic assets, and private and public-sponsored projects. It will be available to finance critical projects led by the public sector or the private sector, such as grain storage facilities or collection centers, cold storage, laboratories, SME Centers, industry and manufacturing hubs, etc.

Component 4b will support the establishment of operations systems in the BoU, including the legal advice to set up the INVITE Trust, the environmental and social systems, a management information system, the technical and financial design, risk management framework, and the operational support for the financing of components 1 and 2.

The implementation of INVITE has social impacts which will require management in line with the relevant policies, laws, regulations, and guidelines of the Republic of Uganda and the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework. All the 10 World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) are triggered by the components implemented by INVITE Trust. The potential social risks associated with (i) land acquisition and physical/economic displacement, (ii) influx of labor into project sites, (iii) exclusion of vulnerable groups from project benefits, (iv) and the risk of social tension in the community due to lack of access to a functioning grievance redress and limited community engagement.

The PSFU now invites suitably qualified individuals, with qualifications and experience as detailed below, to apply for the position of Gender Specialist (GS) under the PSFU-INVITE project.

2. Objective of assignment
The GS will technically support the PIU in undertaking a gender analysis and developing an action plan to effectively mainstream gender aspects into the implementation of the INVITE project.

3. Key Result Areas:
a) In-depth Gender Analysis conducted on the EFS and RHD sub-components.
b) Gender Action Plan developed including opportunities and entry points for gender mainstreaming in the project.

c) Integration of relevant gender activities into the project documents and plans
d) Potential gender-differentiated impacts and risks documented
e) Baseline data developed and to be used in monitoring potential gender impacts
f) Partnerships and or collaboration created with NGOs, CBOs women’s associations, or groups whose work focuses on gender and specific areas of intervention that may be utilized during the implementation of the project.
g) Monitor project activities and implementation to ensure gender mainstreaming is done
h) Training Materials Developed
i) Build capacity, Train, and mentor project teams, partners, and beneficiaries on gender aspects of the project.
j) Effective implementation of the Gender Action Plan.
k) Sensitization on Gender issues undertaken
l) Periodic Reports prepared (Monthly, Quarterly and Annual)

4. Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
a) With the guidance and oversight of the PC - INVITE, the GS shall provide gender-disaggregated data on eligible MSMEs under the EFS in order to address the lack of data on women-led firms as well as data on refugee or host community status to ensure intersectional issues of exclusion are sufficiently addressed.
b) Review project documents on requirements for gender mainstreaming.
c) Conduct a detailed gender analysis for the project particularly emphasizing gender issues in the area and region of intervention (e.g. gender division of labour, access to control of resources and technologies, women’s and men’s needs and preferences, and opportunities for and constraints on women’s participation)
d) Prepare a Gender Action Plan (GAP) including targets and indicators for the project
e) Assess, identify and document the potential gender impacts and risks for the project
f) Take lead in implementation of the GAP
g) Participate in the community mobilization and sensitization to mitigate risks of GBV
h) Undertake regular monitoring of implementation of GAP and ensure compliance
i) Collect sex-disaggregated baseline data to support monitoring of gender impacts
j) Identify and liaise with NGOs, CBO and women associations or groups whose work focuses on gender and pursue partnership or collaboration to effectively implement the GAP.
k) Develop and deliver training to the project team, implementing partners and beneficiaries.
l) Provide technical support to project beneficiaries to mainstream gender aspects in their company practices.
m) Perform any other related duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Project Coordinator.

GIL Suggestion: combine sections 3 & 4 above as one section on “duties and responsibilities”:

1. Gender Analysis and Planning:
a. Conduct a detailed gender analysis for the project, emphasizing local gender issues such as gender division of labor, cultural barriers, unfavorable business regulations, access to resources like capital, credit, and technologies, and opportunities and constraints for women’s employment and entrepreneurship.

b. Review project documents to ensure compliance with gender mainstreaming requirements, including support for women-supported MSMEs
c. Prepare a Gender Action Plan (GAP) with specific targets and indicators for the project
d. Ensure project plans and budgets pay attention to women’s empowerment- specific activities for example building women’s agency and providing an enabling environment for them to participate, and benefit from the project.

2. Data Collection and Monitoring:
a. Lead the collection of gender-disaggregated data on eligible MSMEs under the EFS, including data on women-led firms and refugee or host community status to address intersectional issues of exclusion.
b. Lead the collection of sex-disaggregated baseline data to support monitoring of gender impacts.
c. Undertake regular monitoring of GAP implementation and ensure compliance.

3. Implementation and Support:
a. Take the lead in implementing the GAP and provide technical support to beneficiaries for integrating gender aspects into their practices.
b. Develop and deliver training to the project team, implementing partners, and beneficiaries, with a focus on gender mainstreaming in project activities and capacity-building programs.
c. Ensure beneficiary MSMEs, and public institutions have all the right gender sensitive documentation to guide their implementation.
d. Identify and address any arising gender issues and gaps on the project.

4. Collaboration and Community Engagement
a. Identify and liaise with NGOs, CBOs, and women’s associations to pursue partnerships for effective GAP implementation.
b. Participate in community mobilization and sensitization efforts to mitigate GBV risks and ensure that the benefits of the project extend to women in refugee and host communities.
c. Ensure gender stakeholder consultations to ensure women’s voices and feedback is received about the project.
d. Work with other members of the Social Team to prepare a Grievance Redress mechanism that takes into consideration gender-sensitive approaches.

5. Additional Duties:
a. Assess, identify, and document potential gender impacts and risks for the project, particularly in the context of Component 3.0, which focuses on developing firm capabilities and engaging over 30,000 firms, predominantly women.
b. b. Perform any other related duties as assigned by the Project Coordinator.

5. Qualifications, Experience, and other skills and competencies:
5.1 Academic Qualifications: Applicants should possess:
(i) Master’s Degree in any of the following disciplines Gender, Social Sciences, Anthropology, or other relevant Gender-related discipline from a recognized institution.
(ii) a Bachelor’s degree in either Gender, Social Sciences or Development Studies
(iii) Membership in related professional association(s) will be of added advantage

5.2 Experience:
(i) At least eight (5) years of demonstrated experience in the field of Gender Assessment and mainstreaming in projects.
(ii) Formal training in gender analysis, and planning and demonstrated expertise in mainstreaming gender in projects.
(iii) Relevant project or program experience in gender and/or women’s empowerment in a development context.
(iv) Demonstrated analytical skills, including data collection and analysis and the ability to synthesize complex information clearly
(v) Experience in dealing with National Experts and institutions related to Gender
(vi) Thorough understanding of the country's gender context and experience working with Government; Development Partners; NGOs; and CBOs supporting gender
(vii) Familiarity with gender analysis tools and methodologies
(viii) Broad understanding of the Uganda Legal and Policy Framework on Gender and World Gender Policy.
(ix) Excellent Communication skills and ability to liaise with various stakeholders
(x) Experience working in refugee settings is an added advantage.

5.3 Other Required Skills and Competences:
• Ability to independently and effectively plan, organize, manage, and evaluate important and complex projects for individual and teamwork
• Ability to make quick and good judgment
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and tact
• High level of professionalism, honesty, integrity and versatility
• Should be able to work with minimum supervision and deliver under pressure
• Results oriented and accountable
• Good planning and organization skills

6. Reporting:
The GS will report to the Project Coordinator-INVITE for overall supervision and day-to-day technical matters under the contract.

7. Duty Station:
(i) The GS will be deployed on a full-time basis and the duty station shall be the INVITE-PIU Office in Kampala with frequent travel upcountry.

(ii) Out-of-pocket expenses towards work-related travel will be reimbursed as per rules and regulations applicable to the staff of INVITE-PIU.

9. Facilities to Be Provided by The Employer:
The Employer shall provide office space, with connectivity to internet, printer, and access to other office amenities during the term of his contract.

10. Duration of Services:
The SDS will be appointed on a contractual basis for an initial period of two (2) years, with a possibility of renewal based on performance, business needs, and budget availability.