Gender and Safeguarding Lead

As the Gender & Safeguarding Lead, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Organization Program initiatives are gender-responsive, inclusive, and uphold the highest standards of safeguarding for all participants, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). Your work will be central to creating a safe, empowering, and equitable environment, enabling program participants to succeed in Nigerian Fashion Industry. This role emphasizes advocacy, capacity-building, and partnership to create lasting systemic change within the communities served.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Gender Equality Strategies and Initiatives:

• Design tailored inclusion strategies for women and PWDs, ensuring their active and meaningful participation in the skills training and entrepreneurial initiatives.

• Drive initiatives to dismantle structural and cultural barriers to gender inclusion within the program and among the organization stakeholders.
2. Gender Analysis and Program Design:

• Conduct detailed gender analyses to identify disparities, challenges, and opportunities within the FFP framework.

• Integrate findings into program design to ensure inclusivity and responsiveness to the diverse needs of participants.
3. Capacity Building on Gender Sensitivity:

• Provide training and mentorship to MasterCraft Persons (MCPs), facilitators, staff and all major stakeholders on gender-sensitive practices, fostering an inclusive program culture.

• Develop tools and resources for staff and stakeholders to incorporate gender equity principles in their activities.
4. Safeguarding Leadership and Policy Implementation:

• Develop and operationalize robust safeguarding policies and protocols tailored to the program context, prioritizing the protection of all participants, especially vulnerable groups.

• Lead awareness campaigns on safeguarding policies among staff, staekholders and program participants.
5. Risk Assessments and Mitigation:

• Conduct periodic safeguarding risk assessments to address vulnerabilities in training halls, internships, and project locations.

• Develop and implement effective risk mitigation strategies, ensuring a safe and conducive learning and working environments for all.
6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):

• Establish and oversee monitoring systems to track gender equality and safeguarding outcomes.

• Use qualitative and quantitative data to measure impact, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to FFP's gender and safeguarding initiatives.

• Document and share best practices and lessons learned to enhance program delivery and outcomes.
7. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Represent the organization at local, national, and international forums to advocate for gender equality, safeguarding, and inclusion in skills training and workforce development.

• Build and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, government agencies, and donors to amplify the program's impact and sustainability.
8. Inclusive Policy Development and Compliance:

• Collaborate with program leadership to align FFP policies with global gender and safeguarding standards.

QUALIFICATION.
A Bachelor's or Master's degree in gender studies, social work, international development, or a related field.

• 5+ years of professional experience in gender equality, safeguarding, and inclusion in development programs, with experience in skills training or livelihood programs being highly desirable.

• Expertise in gender analysis frameworks, safeguarding principles, and gender mainstreaming techniques.

• Proven track record in developing and executing gender-sensitive and safeguarding strategies, with measurable impact.

• Strong facilitation, advocacy, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and guide diverse teams.

• Demonstrated ability to engage with marginalized groups, especially women and PWDs, and tailor interventions to their unique needs.

• Commitment to ethical standards and promoting a culture of safety, dignity, and respect for all individuals.

• Familiarity with Nigerian cultural contexts and challenges related to gender equality and safeguarding.

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