DEPUTY GOVERNANCE, GENDER & INCLUSION MANAGER 

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION  

DEPUTY GOVERNANCE, GENDER & INCLUSION MANAGER 

WHAT IS GERES ? 

Founded in 1976, Geres is an international development NGO working to improve living conditions and fight against climate change and its impacts. As a grassroots actor, Geres sees the energy transition as a key driver of its work.  To foster ambitious societal change, the organization promotes the development and dissemination of innovative  local solutions, supports local climate and energy policies, and mobilizes all stakeholders around the concept of  climate solidarity—encouraging them to take action and support the most vulnerable. 

For more information: https://www.geres.eu/en/ 

CONTEXT AND PROJECTS OF GERES IN SIERRA LEONE 

In West Africa, Geres implements projects in Benin, Togo, Mali, Senegal and more recently in Sierra Leone. Teams  are also deployed on an ad hoc basis to other countries in the sub-region on consultancy assignments. Sierra Leone  is a new country of intervention for Geres (starting in April 2025). 

The opening project will: 

Ensure an energy sizing is aligned with the productive uses connected to the grid, and, where necessary,  support additional investments in energy production equipment (generators, solar panels…); Propose innovative financing mechanisms to facilitate entrepreneurs ’investment in productive equipment  (mills, dehullers, efficient refrigerators…); 

Strengthen local mini-grid developers’ understanding of the challenges related to electrifying productive  energy users, building on Geres’ experience from EBA projects and its technical assistance to private Mini Grid  Operators; 

Empower productive energy users through a comprehensive entrepreneurship support and capacity-building  program. 

Ad term Geres team in Sierra Leone will consist of around 20 people for the implementation of the first project.  The national representation is based in Freetown, although most of the activities will be developed in rural areas  of the country. 

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION 

The Deputy Governance, Gender & Inclusion Deputy (GGI) Manager reports directly to the Project Manager,  ensures the implementation of the activities of his/her thematic.  

He/She supervises the GGI team, composed by Technical Facilitators; 

He/She works closely with other Deputy Thematic Managers, the MEAL Officer, all the Support and Field  teams in Sierra Leone; 

He/She is also the focal point for Geres Experts based in HQ for his/her thematic. He/She participates in the  capitalization of know-how related to the various functions of his/her position.

LOCATION 

The Deputy Governance, Gender & Inclusion Manager is based at the Geres office in Freetown. He/She will be  required to travel regularly in the project areas, particularly in the branch offices (SL rural Districts), and in any  new intervention zones developed as part of future projects (mainly in the same regions). 

HIERARCHICAL AND FUNCTIONAL LINKS 

Hierarchical link up: the Project Manager and, in his/her absence, the Country Representative or the  Operation Support Manager 

Hierarchical link down: the Governance, Gender & Inclusion (GGI) team in Sierra Leone (Officers,  Facilitators…) 

Functional link: Office base Supervisors, Project Managers, Thematic Deputy Managers, Support Deputy  Manager… 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES 

1/ Ensure management of the governance, gender & inclusion (GGI) themes: In collaboration with the Project Manager (PM) and the other Deputy Thematic Managers, operationalize  the project’s inclusion strategy by contextualizing Geres’ overall approach to inclusion in Sierra Leone. This  includes refining both cross-cutting and specific activities to address the project’s sustainability and local  ownership objectives, while incorporating the recommendations provided by the gender consultancy team  mobilized during the project’s inception phase. 

Produce in collaboration with his/her subordinate Facilitators and with ad-hoc support of Geres headquarter  Inclusion manager the technical and/or methodological framework necessary for the implementation of the  planned activities;  

In collaboration with his/her subordinate facilitators, support community groups structuration and build  their capacity to handle governance gender & inclusion issues in their territories; 

Ensure quality control and reporting on the activities carried out, with the PM, the MEAL Officer and the  other Deputy Thematic Managers; 

Upon request of the PM, represent the GGI department (and eventually Geres SL) in steering committees as  well as in meetings with partners and the donor when necessary. 

2/ Manage the GGI Team: 

Provide hierarchical management for the EDE team; 

Oversee the recruitment, integration and training of new employees; 

Prepare and conduct the annual interviews, and set individual objectives for employees under his/her direct  authority; 

Pay particular attention to the capacity building of all his/her team members, specifically through training on  internal procedures, in close collaboration with the relevant departments. 

Provide the necessary support to all his/her team members in the exercise of their position, particularly with  the various technical and financial deadlines of the project/NGO; 

Coordinate and supervise activities of his/her team’s members, relating to the various operational and  financial deadlines of the project and the NGO (monitoring execution, planning, forecast budgets) and  organize the presence and absences of the team; 

Ensure the alignment and compliance with Geres’ procedures, standards and policies in the implementation  of projects; 

Ensure GGI team well-being and working conditions; 

Organize specific training sessions based on project needs (including for all Geres’ teams and partners).

3/ Ensure quality and relevant integration of GGI approach into the overall project  management process  

Establish the GGI programming (monthly/quarterly/annual) in coordination with the activities of the other  themes of the project in collaboration with the PM and others thematic Deputy Managers; Plan for and monitor GGI related budget activities, contribute to budget projections Contribute to budget reporting, in accordance with the rules and procedures developed by the Geres’ Administrative and Financial Department; 

In collaboration with the PM, organize and supervise the mobilization of external service providers and contribute to the definition and organization of internal complementary expertise missions  Support the PM in planning and leading key project management events (steering committees, strategic  orientation committees); 

4/ Capitalization and Strategic Reflection: 

Capitalize on Geres’ experiences on the topic and the lessons learned; 

Analyze Geres’ positioning (thematic, geographic, partnership, institutional) on the topic of Governance,  Gender & Inclusion in Sierra Leone; 

Works to identify new opportunities for developing GGI activities through contextual and programmatic  monitoring; 

Monitor innovations to inform internal reflection; 

Lead thematic reflection with project and thematic teams during coordination meetings or strategic  workshops. 

5/ Other: 

The post holder might also take on any other responsibilities, activities or tasks assigned by the hierarchy  directly related to his/her skills. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE 

TRAINING/EXPERTISE 

Master degree and/or significant professional experience in a field related to human sciences, rural  development, governance/social engineering, gender, regional planning, or the social and solidarity economy,  with a specialization in project management/leadership desirable; 

Ability to work in partnership with local authorities and build consensus; 

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in development projects/programs or supporting public  sector stakeholders, with a good understanding of Sierra Leone public sector in general and the rural sector  in particular; 

Experience working in an international NGO is desirable; 

Ability to undertake frequent field missions; 

Experience coordinating activities and supervising teams; 

Proficiency in office software and new communication technologies. Ability to work independently,  rigorously, and committed; 

Knowledge and/or experience in leading community development activities in collaboration with community based groups in rural areas would be an asset; 

Knowledge of the energy sector in Sierra Leone is an asset. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

Proactive problem-solving;  

Pragmatism, flexibility and adaptability; 

Sensitivity, diplomacy, patience, pedagogy, listening skills;  

In-depth knowledge of governance, gender, and inclusion issues. Proficiency in gender-based approaches and  women’s economic empowerment, driven by feminist values aligned with those of the association; Field experience in relationships and the implementation of territorial approaches (communities, institutions,  social groups, etc.);

Specific expertise in gender issues and women’s economic empowerment in West Africa, particularly in rural  areas; 

Strong analytical and writing skills; 

Methodical mindset with an eye for detail; 

Ability to coordinate the work of diverse internal and external stakeholders; 

Excellent command of written and spoken English and local languages. 

NON–PRIORITY SKILLS THAT WOULD BE HIGHLY VALUED 

Specific expertise in gender-based violence and/or sexist and sexual violence; 

Knowledge of change-oriented techniques and approaches is a must; 

Knowledge of the dynamics of the social and solidarity entrepreneurship sector; 

Ability to lead inclusive change management workshops with teams and organizations. 

CONDITIONS AND APPLICATION 

Status: Sierra Leonese fixed-term contract; 

Remuneration: Category F1 or F2 on internal Geres Sierra Leone salary grid, depending on profile;  Contract duration: 12 months (renewable subject to satisfactory results); 

Desired starting date: 18th of August 2025; 

Documents and procedure to apply:  

. CV (Curiculum Vitae) – 1 to 2 pages maximum  

. Motivation letter (maximum 1 page), clearly explaining: 

1. Your motivation to work for Geres Sierra Leone; 
2. Your relevant skills and experience for the position (without repeating your CV); 
3. What sets you apart from other candidates; 
4. Your expectations for this role. 
5. To be uploaded no later than the 15th of July 2025 at midnight, via the following online application  form:  
6. Completing the online application form is mandatory for your application to be taken in consideration.** 

N.B. :  

– Applications from women are strongly encouraged. 

– Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted  from the 23rd of July 2025. 

– Interviews & tests would tentitavely be organized between the 28th of July to the 13th of August 2025. 

Geres has a General Security Policy (GSP) and security procedures specific to Sierra Leone. Geres also has an  internal policy to against sexist behavior and sexual harassment. The incumbent will be briefed on these  procedures on arrival at Geres. 

FOLLOW LINKS BELOW TO APPLY;

**Only in the event that you encounter difficulties in completing or uploading the documents via the online  form, please use the following email address: sierra-leone@geres.eu