Company Description

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive
Sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyzes partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion are fundamental to who we are and what we do. This is reflected in our vision, mission, and strategy, which set out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org.

Project background

SNV Ethiopia will be implementing an anticipated flagship programme focused on enabling 800,000 rural young women (RYW) to access dignified and fulfilling jobs. The programme will target high-potential agricultural value chains (e.g., horticulture, poultry, dairy), using a market systems development approach in seven regional clusters.

It emphasizes transformative gender and social inclusion (GESI) and aims to address structural and socio-cultural barriers that limit young women’s participation in economic life. Implementation will be decentralized, with strong collaboration across local TVETs, youth centers, community organizations, and public service institutions.

Summary of the position

The GESI and Safeguarding Advisor provides technical leadership at the cluster level to coordinate and oversee the implementation of inclusive, gender-responsive, and safe programming for rural young women (RYW). The role focuses on translating the national GESI and Young Women Empowerment strategy into practical field-level actions by working closely with woreda facilitators, service providers, and community stakeholders.

The Advisor supports the rollout of tailored interventions, promotes community engagement, and strengthens the capacity of local actors to identify and address young women barriers and safeguarding risks. The role ensures safeguarding mechanisms are functional and youth-friendly, and that activities across the program are designed and delivered in ways that enhance participation, safety, and empowerment for RYW. The position also contributes to learning, reporting, and coordination efforts at the cluster level, ensuring that gender and safeguarding priorities are reflected in planning and implementation. The role reports to the Cluster Coordinator and receives technical guidance from the national GESI and Safeguarding Advisors.

Job Description

• Coordinate the implementation of the Young Women Empowerment component within the cluster in alignment with annual, quarter work plan and national program strategy.
• Take active role in gender analysis and safeguarding assessments in the context of the cluster to generate more in-depth insights.
• Together with cluster-level advisors, identify intervention areas for each component of the project to ensure young women's engagement and benefit
• Support and provide capacity building to cluster advisors, woreda facilitators and partners to integrate GESI and safeguarding considerations into daily activities.
• Facilitate the rollout of customized interventions such as childcare services, flexible training schedules, mentoring for young women, safe spaces, and leadership platforms to enhance participation and empowerment of RYW and young mothers
• Support the identification, assessment, and capacity strengthening of local skill service providers to ensure that training programs are gender-responsive, inclusive, and delivered in safe, accessible, youth-friendly environments that meet the needs of RYW
• Provide inputs on the implementation of program strategies to reduce barriers for RYW to access training, skills, market and financial services.
• Support the establishment and functionality of community-based safeguarding mechanisms, in coordination with the National Safeguarding Advisor.
• Monitor safeguarding risks in service delivery and coach woreda teams and service providers to create safe environments for RYW.
• Promote youth-friendly, confidential reporting and response mechanisms, and ensure field-level follow-up of reported cases as per guidelines.
• Facilitate community dialogues and youth-led sessions to address harmful norms and promote RYW inclusion and empowerment.
• Support peer mentorship, role model initiatives and youth networks to build RYW confidence, voice and economic participation.
• Collaborate with the MEAL and Woreda teams to track participation, empowerment and Agency of RYW.
• Take other responsibilities within the project that will help the team to achieve the desired results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Development Studies, Sociology, or a related field. Preferably master’s degree in the field mentioned.
• 8 years of work experience in field-level implementation of gender and/or youth empowerment programs.
• Solid understanding of gender barriers, rural young women’s empowerment, safeguarding, and social norms in the Ethiopian context.
• Proven experience in capacity building, facilitation, and coaching of government and community actors.
• Excellent communication, coordination, and report writing skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to woredas and kebeles for follow-up and coaching.
• Fluency in English is required

Competencies

• Problem analysis
• Coaching
• Focus on quality
• Result orientation
• Persuasiveness

Additional Information

Contract Type: National, Full-time

This position will be based on donor funding and approval confirmation.

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Duty Station: Bahir Dar

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on August 4, 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be kept in the strictest confidentiality.
If your experience and skills match the position's requirements, we will contact you to advise on the next steps in the recruitment process.

Working at SNV
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for both nationally and internationally determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.