The Leprosy Mission (TLM) is a UK based international non-government organization active in 34 countries; started its work in Nepal from 1957 with establishment of Anandaban Hospital in Lele, the sourthern part of Lalitpur. However, from 2005 TLM Nepal has been working as independent NGO in partnership with TLM international and the Government of Nepal to provide specialist tertiary care and technical support for leprosy control programs. It also undertakes internationally recognized research into leprosy and implements disability inclusive community development programs through its own activities and strategic partnership.

Being one of the largest NGOs in the country working in the field of leprosy, TLM Nepal mainly focuses in working with and for people affected by leprosy. Its development interventions focuses in the areas of health, capacity building, education, sustainable livelihoods, community development, advocacy and research working towards equity and inclusion of people affected by leprosy and disability in the development process.

Gender Officer

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Job Title: Gender Officer
Reports To: Project Manager
Project: SPROUTS – TLMN
Location: Project Office Bardaghat
No. of Requirement: 1

Project Overview:

We are excited to announce a new opportunity within The Leprosy Mission Nepal for the Strengthening Pathways for Economic Resilience through Sustainable Opportunities to Communities (SPROUTS) project. Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through The Leprosy Mission Australia, this project focuses on leprosy, disabilities, and marginalized communities. Its goals include early diagnosis of leprosy, improving the lives of people with disabilities, and creating better job opportunities for these communities. The project also addresses climate change issues and empowers women in these areas.

Position Overview:

The Gender Officer at The Leprosy Mission Nepal will play a vital role in promoting gender equality and social inclusion within the SPROUTS Nepal project, funded by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the TLMA. Gender officer requires a dedicated individual with expertise in gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment, aiming to ensure that project interventions effectively address gender disparities and promote equitable access to resources and opportunities for vulnerable populations of 4 municipalities of Nawalpur & Nawalparasi district of Lumbini and Gandaki Province. The Gender Officer will lead efforts to integrate gender-sensitive approaches across all project activities, facilitate community engagement and empowerment initiatives, and advocate for policies that protect and promote women's rights. By fostering partnerships with stakeholders and implementing gender-responsive strategies, the Gender Officer will contribute to achieving sustainable development outcomes and enhancing the resilience of people affected by leprosy, people with disability and other marginal people.

Key tasks and responsibilities

Gender Mainstreaming and Integration (40%)

Lead the development and implementation of a gender mainstreaming strategy the SPROUTS Nepal project, ensuring gender considerations are integrated into all project activities and outcomes.
Conduct gender analysis and assessments to identify gender gaps, inequalities, and opportunities within project interventions.
Advocate for gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles and ensure their integration into project policies, strategies, and approaches.
Collaborate with project teams to develop gender-responsive approaches and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER) to track progress on gender-related indicators.
Facilitate capacity-building sessions on GESI for project staff, partners, and stakeholders to enhance understanding and commitment to gender equality goals.
Promote meaningful participation of women, girls, and other marginalized groups in decision-making processes related to project activities and outcomes.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming initiatives and recommend adjustments to ensure their relevance and impact.

Community Engagement and Empowerment (40%)

Engage with community members, including women, girls, men, and boys, to promote awareness of gender issues, rights, and responsibilities.
Facilitate community dialogues and consultations to identify and address gender-based barriers and promote equitable access to project benefits and resources.
Support the formation and strengthening of women's groups, youth clubs, and other community structures to promote gender equality and social inclusion.
Collaborate with local women leaders, community-based organizations (CBOs), and other stakeholders to advocate for policies that promote gender equality and protect women's rights.
Organize and facilitate training sessions and workshops on topics such as gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, reproductive health, and leadership skills for women and girls.
Support initiatives that promote economic empowerment and livelihood opportunities for women and vulnerable groups, ensuring they have equal access to resources and skills development.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of gender-focused interventions on women's empowerment, social inclusion, and community resilience. Coordination and Collaboration (10%)
Coordinate with project teams, government counterparts, donors, and implementing partners to ensure alignment of gender equality objectives with project goals and outcomes.
Represent The Leprosy Mission Nepal in relevant gender-focused networks, forums, and working groups to share experiences, lessons learned, and best practices.
Collaborate with other sectors within the project (health, livelihoods, WASH, etc.) to ensure that gender considerations are integrated into sector-specific strategies and activities.
Support the development of gender-sensitive communication materials, reports, and case studies to showcase project achievements and impact.
Contribute to donor reports and proposals by providing gender-disaggregated data, analysis, and narratives that highlight the project's gender equality outcomes.
Ensure compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies related to gender equality, social inclusion, and safeguarding.
Supervise and support field officers in their roles, providing guidance on health program implementation and adherence to protocols.

Safeguarding (10%)

Collaborate with the Project Manager to facilitate the implementation of policies, procedures, and the Code of Conduct, while raising awareness about safeguarding issues within the project and the community.
Conduct regular safeguarding training sessions for the community and project staff to ensure a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding principles and practices.
Ensure the presence of a beneficiary feedback mechanism (Community-Based Complaints Mechanism) to provide a safe and confidential way for community members to raise concerns.
Receive and address reports about concerns or incidents at the project level, ensuring a timely and effective response to all safeguarding issues.
Act as the Safeguarding Focal Point for the project, serving as the primary contact for all safeguarding matters.
Report all raised concerns to the Country Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that all issues are escalated appropriately.
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding measures and make recommendations for improvements.
Work closely with community leaders and stakeholders to foster a culture of safeguarding and protect vulnerable populations.
Stay updated on best practices and legal requirements related to safeguarding, and integrate these into project activities and training materials.Provide support and guidance to project staff and community members on safeguarding issues, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities in protecting others.

Job Specification

Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Women’s Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
Minimum 2 – 3 years of relevant experience in gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment, or social inclusion within international development projects, preferably in health, livelihoods, or community development sectors.
Strong understanding of gender analysis tools, methodologies, and approaches to promote gender equality and social inclusion in development programming.
Experience in facilitating capacity-building activities, workshops, and trainings on gender equality, women's rights, and empowerment.
Demonstrated ability to conduct gender-sensitive assessments develops gender-responsive strategies, and monitor progress on gender-related indicators.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders including community members, government officials, and NGOs.
Fluency in English and Nepali is required, with strong writing and presentation skills for preparing reports, proposals, and communication materials.
Two-wheeler driving license is required.

Personal Attributes:

Commitment to promoting gender equality, social justice, and human rights in development work.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and results-oriented approach to achieving gender equality outcomes.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, while also collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse setting.
Willingness and ability to travel to project sites and field locations.