Gender Mainstreaming Safeguarding Associate

Key responsibilities

• Develop, adapt and support the implementation of the programme's gender mainstreaming, inclusion and participant protection approaches, ensuring alignment with GrowthAfrica, donor and partner requirements.
• Conduct gender and inclusion analysis at programme inception and periodically thereafter to identify and address barriers to participation.
• Review programme content, facilitation approaches and selection processes, and provide practical recommendations to strengthen gender-responsive and inclusive delivery for women, people with disabilities, displaced youth and other underserved groups. G 2 of ender Mainstreaming & Safeguarding Associate 4
• Develop, strengthen and support safe, accessible and confidential reporting and referral pathways for safeguarding concerns across all four countries, in line with programme policies and escalation procedures.
• Build awareness among programme staff and key partners on gender mainstreaming, inclusion principles and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Track and report on gender and inclusion KPIs (e.g., percentage of female participants at each stage; gender disaggregation of outcomes) in coordination with the M&E Coordinator.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and support timely referral or escalation of safeguarding concerns, working within approved policies, survivor-centred practice, confidentiality requirements and delegated authority.
• Contribute gender and safeguarding sections to quarterly and annual donor reports

Qualifications and requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Social Work, Law or another relevant discipline. A recognised professional qualification in gender, safeguarding or inclusion is an added advantage.
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of progressive professional experience in gender mainstreaming, inclusion, safeguarding, social protection or related work within development, entrepreneurship, education or similar programmes.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing gender-responsive and inclusive programme approaches, including translating policies, tools or technical guidance into practical implementation.
• Strong working knowledge of safeguarding principles, safe reporting and referral pathways, confidentiality requirements and donor expectations.
• Proven experience conducting gender and inclusion analyses and using evidence to strengthen programme design, participant engagement and implementation quality.
• Experience designing and delivering training (including training of trainers), coaching and capacity building initiatives for multidisciplinary teams and programme partners.
• Strong understanding of the barriers affecting women's economic empowerment and the participation of underserved groups, with demonstrated experience designing practical solutions within African contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to prepare high quality technical guidance, policy documents and donor reporting inputs.
• Excellent knowledge of gender-responsive programme design, inclusive facilitation approaches and safeguarding good practice.
• Ability to navigate sensitive issues with discretion, empathy and cultural competence across diverse African contexts.