Senior Livelihood and GEDSI Coordinator

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Specialist  
 

Soukhouma District, Champasak Province

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World Vision International Lao PDR has been awarded multi-year grant project, the “Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition’’ (SUAN)” in Salavane Province. SUAN means garden in Lao language. The project is financed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) and is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), among other partners.

The goal of the SUAN project is to improve nutrition and food security of 1,975 households (8,334 people) in 3 districts (Toumlarn, Vapi and Lakhonpheng), 18 villages (6 villages per districts) in Salavane province, particularly women and children under five, through sustainable and nutrition-sensitive climate smart agriculture (NS-CSA), as well as childcare and hygiene practices.

Key project outcomes are:

• Improved access to sufficient and diverse foods year-round
• Improved dietary & care practices among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) (15-45 years) & Children Under Five (CU5)
• Improved Gender Equity and Disability Inclusion (GEDSI) for increased participation in nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart agriculture

(NS-CSA)

• Increased information and learning opportunities on NS-CSA and GEDSI

The Senior Livelihood and GEDSI coordinator will provide technical support and leadership across all SUAN project outcomes and and will ensure that livelihood outputs, gender-sensitive and disability inclusion programming is being addressed in coordination with other sector leads. This includes:

GEDSI:

• Lead the implementation of the GEDSI Action Plan that aims to understand the roles and norms for women/girls and men/boys, and the levels of power within a household and in their communities; the different needs, constraints and opportunities of each group; and the impact of these differences in their lives within the project’s context,
• Oversee implementation of C-Change Transformational Conversations Groups including training, support and mentoring of Facilitators and village leaders
• Oversee the distribution of the labour-saving technologies for women based on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Assessment and community-identified priorities
• Focussed implementation on Outcome 3: Improved gender equity and disability inclusion for increased participation in nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart agricultureand Outcome 4: Increased information and learning opportunities on GEDSI
• Lead disability inclusion activities and awareness raising on Gender and Disability to project staff, implementing partners and target beneficiaries
• Support the provision of assistance-devices and follow up for people with disability to support wellbeing & enable participation and integration of PWDs in agriculture activities, marketing and community meetings
• Establish referral systems for people with disabilities and strengthen referral and counselling for women and girl’s survivors of gender-based violence
• Support in close collaboration with agriculture team the organization and structuration of farmers group organizations and provide training in management, regulations, market development and marketing.

Livelihoods:

• Lead the implementation of livelihoods activities and initiatives focused on economic development and Women’s Economic Empowerment, with the goal of enhancing income generation, improving market access, supporting entrepreneurship and leadership development, and promoting the development of sustainable business models
• Support the development of business models for post-harvest and processing practices to establish entrepreneurship targeting the vulnerable households and farmers, women and People with Disability. Enhanced participation supported through the C-Change model.
• Lead the field technical coordinators to provide coaching and support to farmers starting small businesses to ensure sustainability and profitability, including marketing and maintenance support
• Connect vulnerable HHs to existing agricultural services, and establish a voucher system for payment
• Oversee implementation of the Gender Inclusive Financial Training (GIFT) and Saving for Transformation (S4T)
• Provide coaching and mentoring of S4T (saving groups) to encourage saved funds to be utilized to address family nutritional needs, access loans for small businesses and micro-project creation, and for emergencies funds

The Senior Livelihood and GEDSI coordinator will work closely with the SUAN PM and the WVIL Livelihood and Gender Specialist at the National Office and the rest of project team and senior coordinators The role will be based in Salavane and will report to SUAN Project Manager. The role consists of planning and coordinating the project livelihood and GEDSI activities:

• Contribute to the following, in team and with the other Technical Coordinators and under the leadership of  Project Manager and guidance  of NO Livelihood and Gender specialist:

• Specify the methodology for activity implementation,
• Set criteria and method setting for beneficiary selection;
• Development of training curriculum;
• Set work plans with the implementing partners (DAFO, DLWU, DLYU) staff in consultation with the project team;
• Set indicators and quarterly targets for monitoring & evaluation;
• Follow up and monitoring of activity for data collection, technical support and capture feedback from target beneficiaries. Update data collection using Kobo system.

• Organize and implement, in team with the district Technical Coordinators and partners, the livelihood and GEDSI activities described in the project design document and log Frame
• Write and submit the Monthly and quarterly activity reports for donors and government, data collection to Project manager in English;
• Participate in meetings and technical workshops, as required by the Management team, inside and outside the districts and provinces of intervention;
• Contribute to the advocacy, communication and associative life of SUAN project and World Vision International Laos in general
• Contribute to the development of training curriculum, IEC and timeframe for each activity,
• Contribute to sustainable project impact in the target vulnerable communities. Perform other duties as required, including participate in meeting with the direct line.
• Supervise the SUAN field Technical coordinators in line with the level of authority. Assess and support staff, providing guidance that builds and strengthens performance
• Approve field coordinators cash advance and support the development and quality review of the activity implementation ToRs in close consultation with the project manager
• Provide support during the key project management cycle milestones including project assessments, , project mid-term evaluations and studies.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Leadership for all livelihood and GEDSI Activities and Outcomes in SUAN
2. Plan, direct and implement with operation team all aspects of project implementation related to livelihood and GEDSI.

• Mainstream gender responsiveness across the project
• Lead initiatives and implementation of livelihoods focused on economic development and Women’s Economics Empowerment
• Monitor and assess implemented activities
• Ensure disability inclusion in the Suan Design
• Support procurement of materials needed under GEDSI and Livelihood activities

2. Build good relationships that communicate World Vision’s mission, values and identity to all appropriate stakeholders, including community groups, local authorities and other NGOs and GEDSI partners.
3. Manage proactive and responsive relationship with Project Partners, Government stakeholders, and other partners in the field.
4. Building capacities
5. Oversee planning and implement all aspects of project activities in target district, ensuring that all Partners meet their obligations under the project, and meet WV compliance standards.
6. Develop clear work plans and ensure quality and timeliness of all program interventions. Oversee the development of yearly district work plan in keeping with the project design documents and activity plans
7. Facilitate formation and ongoing capacity building of partners to facilitate C Change Transformational Conversation Groups, Gift training and S4T for communities for holistic sustainable development, ensuring ownership of outcomes by communities.
8. Train partner community groups on appropriate skills and self-assessment methods to build their capacity for management of local initiatives.
9. Learning within community.

Consistently look for more effective and efficient implementation methods and opportunities to increase impact. Facilitate learning of best practice by ensuring a continuous learning process is developed and in place with key staff and partners.

1. Facilitate community (including children and the marginalized ethnic groups) to participate in the gathering of, reflection upon and learning from local information.
2. Participate in and support the implementation of project measurement and program/project evaluation and facilitate community learning from results.
3. Promote communities to share and learn from their own experiences as part of confidence and capacity building.
4. Consistently look for more effective and efficient implementation methods and opportunities to increase impact.
5. Coordination, implementation and management of Livelihoods and GEDSI activities

Plan, direct, provide guidance and technical leadership and implement with technical team all aspects of project implementation related to livelihoods and GEDSI activities, ensuring compliance with WV and DFAT compliance standards.

Ensure GEDSI are mainstreamed across all project activities

1. Actively support the GEDSI and Livelihood Coordinators in assessment and work plan design processes and collaborate with community and implementing partners in the project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting processes relevant to assigned area.
2. Work closely with the SUAN project Manager and technical team in planning, implementing and monitoring project activities.
3. Ensure that GEDSI and child protection protocols are integrated within WV initiatives in their assigned communities.
4. Raise awareness and facilitate critical analysis of community issues and opportunities.
5. Mobilize local resources, community planning, participation and ownership for development initiatives.
6. Support project manager in coordination and reporting within World Vision and Partners.

1. Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Communication
2. Use specific GEDSI tool or KAP survey to establish and analysis gender attitudes.
3. Establish and maintain effective project reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and communication systems.
4. Submit timely, accurate data, ensuring quality and timely data collection and analysis.
5. Prepare and submit all reporting requirements ensuring they are on time and meet minimum standards. Ensure any problems or challenges are effectively communicated so that delays can be overcome and the project goals achieved.
6. Support the organization of PIMC and DIMC meetings. Ensure team participations and progress update of the action

Required Education, Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in relevant technical field: Rural development, development studies, Agricultural economics, business administration, , Social Science, Gender Studies or similar fields; postgraduate studies in a relevant discipline related to gender is desirable
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in experience in gender, livelihoods and women’s empowerment with in-depth understanding of key challenges and opportunities within the domains of agriculture, nutrition and health.
• Knowledge of current best practice in gender equality and experience integrating this into programs in developing country contexts
• Demonstrated experience working in collaboration with District Government on coordination of activities
• Ability to provide leadership, supervision and technical guidance to the field staff, and to work collaboratively and respectfully with others.
• Good understanding of Lao Government policies, laws, and institutions on gender and ability to work together with various stakeholders
• Proven experience on community mobilization, with demonstrable skills resulting in community behaviour change.
• Strong training and facilitation skills, with experience training community volunteers in a range of models and development of training plans.
• Strong field work and project monitoring experience demonstrating ability to ensure quality deliverables of the project.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Lao. Knowledge of ethnic knowledge will be considered an asset (Kathang ethnic language).
• Must understand and agree with WV’s vision, mission and Core Values.
• Must be willing to work and stay overnight at the target village areas.
• Must be willing to work within a team and across team activities.
• Willingness to learn new knowledge and develop their skills and career.
• Experience in data collection using digital platforms such as KoboCollect
• Good reporting skills in Lao and English
• Technical training and demonstrate knowledge on participatory approach and Training of Trainers (ToT)
• Knowledge of development work, including program logic, project design and community empowerment
• Project management knowledge and skills.
• Ability to train others, ability to provide technical assistance and guidance to support the field and operation staff.
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Ability to function efficiently and independently with little day-to-day supervision.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills, including use of Microsoft office

Travel and/or Work Environment

Expected to travel 50% of the time in the target village areas

Decision Making

Decisions to be made according to the Level of Authority (LOA) in consultation with the immediate supervisor.

Encouragement

World Vision is committed to the principles of workplace diversity. Qualified women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

World Vision offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and international working environment.

Application

Interested candidates are invited to submit a COVER LETTER and CV to the link below. Please indicate the POSITION TITLE.  The deadline for application is 07 July 2025, however applicants are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the position will close early if a suitable candidate is found.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please submit your application to this link: https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WorldVisionInternational/details/GEDSI-Coordinator_JR43113-1?locationCountry=db69cbe0446c11de98360015c5e6daf6

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