Position: Specialist

Organization: Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS)

Location: Tamil Nadu

Job Description

The Specialist – Genderwill beresponsiblefortheoveralldeliverablesof the program initiatives for gender, and also for strengthening the program related to sanitation. The current initiatives are a mix of policy/ governance and on-the-ground implementation. These are broadly in the areas of improving access to sanitation services, strengthening women professionals in sanitation, and improving governance.

The incumbent will work closely with the TNUSSP & CWIS teams to deliver the following outputs:

• Integrating gender concerns across the sanitation chain, both at city and state level;
• Guiding/ supporting local partners in implementing gender-based initiatives;
• Strengthening women's agency in sanitation decision-making;
• Developing, implementing, monitoring and reporting on various initiatives related to gender;
• Coordinating with various alliances and experts working directly or indirectly on gender issues.

Activities and Tasks

Responsibilities would include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Coordinating with the team to develop pilot demonstrations at Community Toilets/ Public Toilets (CTs/PTs) on gender-friendly sanitation facilities/design and improved management models, including Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) facilities;
• Proactively working with the identified local partners to implement the gender and MHM-related initiatives along the full cycle of sanitation;
• Reviewing and developing strategies on creating/ strengthening opportunities for women professionals along the sanitation chain; including strengthening women-led enterprises;
• Supporting work with sanitation workers, particularly working at the intersection of gender and caste;
• Developing a professional approach in the operations of women sanitation workers and reducing operational hurdles for women’s federation-run sanitation activities towards profit and sustainability;
• Supporting development of various capacity building and sensitisation initiatives related to gender;
• Overseeing the team in the implementation of other key gender components across the sanitation value chain, and monitoring progress against set indicators;
• Providing support to other IIHS activities including academics, research, practice, training, operations and others;
• Participating in all activities of institution-building at IIHS; carrying out tasks as assigned by IIHS; and traveling on IIHS work within or outside the country as and when needed.

Structure and Reporting                                                                             

The Specialist – Gender will report to the Team Leader, TNUSSP or to any other person designated by the Team Leader, and will be required to collaborate effectively with a diverse group of internal teams and external individuals/organisations, and students.

Person Specification

The applicant is required to possess a professional degree in women’s studies/ gender, development studies, social science, political science, or any other relevant field with a total of 8-12 years’ work experience, including at least 5-9 years of experience in gender. Ideally, the candidate should have worked across a range of gender issues including improved services, livelihoods strengthening, etc. Experience of working in urban contexts would be an added advantage.

S/he should also have experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams, have interfaced with NGOs, Community Based Organisations, and donor agencies, and possess good people management skills. Experience in working with government programmes and alliance-building processes will be valuable.

This offer is on an exclusive basis, which implies that other professional assignments (whether compensated or not) that bear a potential conflict of interest with IIHS cannot be undertaken.

The search will remain open until the position is filled.