Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Expert – Jahez Project

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a non-profit research-for-development organization, seeks a Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Expert to provide technical leadership for the Jahez Project. Based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI collaborates globally to address water-related challenges in developing countries.

The consultant will work closely with the Project Management Team (PMT), partners, and stakeholders to ensure project activities are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to vulnerable groups like women, youth, persons with disabilities, and refugees.

Key Responsibilities:

Deliverable 1: Inception and GEDSI Action Plan Operationalization Plan

Timeline: Within the first 15 working days

• Conduct a brief assessment of the existing Jahez GEDSI Action Plan and its implementation status;
• Develop a prioritization matrix for high-risk, high-value GEDSI areas requiring technical support;
• Create an agreed-upon GEDSI technical support workplan and indicative schedule;
• Propose coordination mechanisms with the PMT, MEL team, Regional GEDSI Advisor, and partners;
• Identify priority GEDSI capacity, evidence, and implementation gaps.

Deliverable 2: Periodic GEDSI Technical Advisory and Quality Assurance Updates

Timeline: Quarterly or aligned with project milestones

• Prepare consolidated quarterly technical advisory updates linked to the Jahez reporting process, including:
• GEDSI-focused reviews of project activities and methodologies;
• Technical reviews of partner deliverables, reports, and communication materials;
• GEDSI-sensitive reviews of research and assessment methodologies;
• Technical advice on stakeholder engagement and risk identification;
• Prioritized recommendations for corrective or adaptive actions.

Deliverable 3: GEDSI Capacity-Building Package

Timeline: As agreed in the workplan, with sessions delivered throughout the consultancy

• Deliver up to three structured GEDSI capacity-building sessions, covering topics like:
• GEDSI mainstreaming and implementation of the Jahez GEDSI Action Plan;
• Inclusive stakeholder engagement and participation;
• GEDSI-sensitive monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and reporting.

The package includes training needs assessment, agendas, curricula, materials, practical tools, participant feedback, and a summary report.

Deliverable 4: GEDSI MEL, Evidence and Reporting Package

Timeline: Aligned with quarterly and annual MEL cycles

• Provide technical support to strengthen GEDSI-related evidence collection, including:
• Reviewing GEDSI indicators and data disaggregation approaches;
• Advising on monitoring tools and reporting approaches;
• Providing technical inputs to quarterly and annual reports;
• Identifying evidence gaps and recommending improvements.

Deliverable 5: Practical GEDSI Tools and Guidance Package

Timeline: By the midpoint of the consultancy

• Develop practical GEDSI tools and guidance materials, such as:
• Activity review checklists, inclusive workshop checklists, and accessibility guidelines;
• Partner GEDSI self-assessment tools, reporting guidance, and practical notes.

Deliverable 6: GEDSI Inputs to Reviews, Learning and Donor Engagement

Timeline: As required throughout the consultancy

• Provide technical support for internal/external project reviews, donor missions, learning events, and relevant documentation.

Deliverable 7: Final GEDSI Learning and Recommendations Report

Timeline: Within the final 10 working days

• Prepare a final report summarizing progress, achievements, challenges, capacity-building activities, risks, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustaining GEDSI integration.