Gender, Equity, Safeguarding and Social Inclusion Advisor

Position: Gender, Equity, Safeguarding and Social Inclusion (GESSI) Advisor

Department: Inclusion

Reports to: Head of Programmes (Nepal); Global Inclusion Manager

Location: Kathmandu (with 30% travel to working districts)

Duration: One-year fixed contract with possible extension. The contract would be provided after satisfactory performance in a three-month probation period.

Work Hours: Full-time; 40 hours per week

ROLE SUMMARY:

As the Gender, Equity, Safeguarding and Social Inclusion (GESSI) Lead, your role is pivotal in championing inclusive educational practices of all learners within UWS schools in Nepal. You lead the development and execution of a comprehensive GESSI strategy, seamlessly integrating gender equity and social inclusion principles throughout all program levels and departments.

Through the implementation of inclusive pedagogy, targeted training, awareness initiatives, and strategic partnerships with local stakeholders, you cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusivity within UWS schools. Your proactive leadership in child protection and safeguarding, alongside your focus on capacity building and diligent monitoring efforts, ensures that GESSI considerations remain at the forefront of project outcomes, furthering the organisation’s commitment to providing equitable education opportunities for all.

Reporting to the Head of Programmes and the Global Inclusion Manager, you collaborate closely with a diverse team of program teams. Operating across all departments, you prioritise enhancing Education Officers’ capacities working in UWS schools, ensuring the robust integration of GESSI principles across school program design, implementation, evaluation, and learning. Additionally, this dynamic role entails national travel, with up to 30% of the time dedicated to supporting UWS’ initiatives in various provinces.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategy Development and Implementation:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive national GESSI strategy, encompassing all levels of our programs in Nepal.
• Develop and execute a GESSI integration plan to ensure that gender equity and social inclusion principles are embedded across student, school, community, and governmental levels.

Curriculum Development and Training:

• Review existing curriculum and teacher training programs, integrating GESSI-responsive pedagogy and universal design learning principles.
• Provide training to Education Officers for cascading training to teachers, fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity within schools.

Coordination and Support

• Collaborate with the Programme Manager/Coordinator and Field Office teams to provide technical support and guidance as needed.
• Ensure the inclusion of GESSI issues in all communications with policymakers, government officials, community representatives, staff, teachers, and families, promoting the importance of inclusive education.

Capacity Building and Mentoring

• Offer regular coaching and mentoring to Education Officers on integrating gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approaches into all school and community activities.
• Contribute to the quality and consistency of technical reports, ensuring that GESSI issues are adequately addressed and reflected in project outcomes.

Partnership Development

• Establish strong partnerships with local organisations and governmental agencies to drive collaborative efforts toward gender and social inclusion initiatives within education.
• Engage stakeholders at all levels to address systemic barriers and promote inclusive principles, fostering a supportive environment for all learners.

Child Protection and Safeguarding (CPS) Leadership

• As the National CPS Lead, lead CPS implementation in Nepal, ensuring adherence to UWS’ Global CPS policy.
• Ensure that safeguarding and child protection standards are integrated into all inclusive education activities.
• Provide guidance to Regional CPS Leads for consistent policy implementation across UWS schools in all operating provinces.
• Monitor and address any safeguarding concerns that arise in the context of inclusive education.
• Establishing partnerships with local authorities, stakeholders, and referral systems.
• Conduct regular risk assessments, manage the National CPS Risk Register, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and deliver CPS training sessions for staff and stakeholders, fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability.
• Monitor compliance with CPS policies, maintain incident records, and ensure transparent communication.
• Evaluate CPS practices based on best practices and incident responses.

Training and Capacity Building

• Assess training needs concerning GESSI principles for UWS staff and stakeholders, designing and delivering tailored training programs to enhance capacity in integrating GESSI principles.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and support to staff to ensure comprehension and implementation of GESSI strategies, fostering sustained progress and impact.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Communication

• Develop and implement GESSI-sensitive monitoring and evaluation tools, incorporating inclusive feedback mechanisms to ensure the voices of all beneficiaries are valued.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams to align GESSI efforts with organisational goals, advocating for policy reforms and resource allocation towards gender-responsive and inclusive education.
• Contribute to the quality and consistency of technical reports, ensuring that GESSI issues are adequately addressed and reflected in project outcomes.

Educational Qualification:

• Master’s degree in Education, Inclusive Education, Special Education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in implementing and managing inclusive education programs.
• Strong understanding of the educational landscape in Nepal, with specific expertise in inclusive and gender-responsive education.
• Proven experience in capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy for inclusive education.
• Excellent project management, analytical, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in relevant software and tools (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, M&E tools).
• Fluency in English and Nepali (both written and spoken).

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of inclusive pedagogy and universal design for learning principles.
• Excellent skills in strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation with a GESSI focus.
• Effective communication and advocacy skills.
• Ability to conduct risk assessments and manage safeguarding protocols.
• Proficiency in facilitating community engagement and fostering local ownership.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please send a comprehensive CV (max 2 pages) and a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) to info.nepal@uwsglobal.net. The deadline for the application is 5:00 p.m. on August 4, 2025.

You should give the names, positions, organisations, and telephone contact numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your current/most recent employer. References will only be taken once your express permission has been granted.

UWS Nepal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are only able to accept applications from candidates who have the permanent right to employment in Nepal. UWS is committed to the safeguarding of children, and ensuring we recruit safely is central to this commitment. All applicants will be required to undertake a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check as a condition of employment.

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