Gender and Safeguarding Lead – Rwanda

Report to: Project Director

Location: Rwanda

Status: Full-time; term contract

Who We Are:

Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), is an International Non-profit Organization headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, which fosters digital inclusion for leadership, economic empowerment, and climate action among young women and men in Africa and the Middle East.  DOT is a vibrant youth-driven community of trailblazing social pioneers equipped with the necessary tools, knowledge, and networks to create opportunities and drive transformation within their communities. We strive to foster youth potential, bridge digital gaps across communities, and inspire young individuals to partake in an all-inclusive digital economy.  As catalysts of development for over 23 years, our impact extends to over 25 countries.  

Established in 2010, DOT Rwanda is a registered branch of DOT. As a youth-serving and locally-staffed organization, DOT Rwanda has long-standing operations and networks of local and international partners across Government, higher educational institutions, foundations, civil society, and the private sector that extend across diverse urban and rural communities. For 14 years, DOT Rwanda has nurtured the 21st-century skills, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial mindset of young women and men, including those in marginalized communities. This has led to the creation of a powerful ripple effect, impacting over 120,000 people, expanding their enterprises, spurring employment, and cultivating community leaders.

In an upcoming, youth-focused project, DOT Rwanda is leading a consortium with 4 youth-serving organizations to build the digital skills of Rwandan youth for their inclusion in the digital economy.

The Opportunity:

DOT Rwanda seeks a highly motivated and experienced individual to serve as the Gender and Safeguarding Lead for the upcoming project. This position is crucial for ensuring that the project is implemented by all consortium partners in a gender-transformative and safe manner, effectively reaching and empowering young women while upholding the highest standards of safeguarding.

The Gender and Safeguarding Lead will strengthen and integrate gender equity, inclusion, and safeguarding capacity across the consortium partners and programs, provide ongoing technical support to ensure inclusion and safety throughout project implementation and monitor implementation and iterate approaches to improve the inclusivity and impact of the project. This role requires a dedicated and experienced professional with a strong background in gender equity, inclusion of marginalized groups, including people with disabilities, and safeguarding practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive gender strategy for the project including overseeing the project’s gender analyses to inform program design.
• Oversee the integration of gender considerations into all program activities, including training curricula, materials, delivery methodologies, recruitment processes, participant selection, and partnership development.
• Lead the development and implementation of the project’s clear safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with DOT’s safeguarding standards and all relevant national and international standards.
• Lead training and capacity-building initiatives for consortium partners and project staff on gender mainstreaming, gender-responsive program design, safeguarding best practices, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH).
• Lead the development and implementation of clear and accessible reporting procedures/systems for any safeguarding incidents or concerns, and ensure that all complaints-related materials are handled confidentially and according to DOT’s policies and procedures.
• Serve as a trusted focal point for receiving safeguarding complaints and reports, providing survivor-centered and trauma-informed support, while collaborating with consortium partners’ safeguarding response teams to ensure timely and appropriate responses to any incidents or concerns.
• Establish and lead a Community of Practice (CoP) among consortium partners to foster collaboration, share best practices, and strengthen organizational capacity on gender equality and safeguarding.
• Contribute to risk assessments by identifying potential safeguarding risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.
• Collaborate with the M&E team to collect and analyze data on the participation, performance, and experiences of young women in the project, identifying successes and areas for improvement.
• Raise awareness on gender and safeguarding issues through campaigns, events, and outreach, promoting the rights of marginalized groups.
• Lead the development and dissemination of communication materials that promote gender equality and showcase the achievements of young women in the project.
• Prepare regular reports on gender and safeguarding activities and outcomes.

Qualifications:

• A resident of Rwanda, legally able to hold employment in the country.
• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, International Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in gender equality and safeguarding, with a focus on women and girls in the non-profit sector.
• Expertise in gender equality, youth empowerment, digital technology, youth leadership, and social innovation.
• Strong understanding of gender issues, the gender digital divide, and safeguarding standards.
• Proven experience in program management (design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation).
• Excellent communication, advocacy, and training skills.
• Fluent in English and Kinyarwanda, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• High digital literacy, proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite.

What DOT Offers:

• DOT compensation is competitive with local markets, and rates for this position recognize the role’s importance to both DOT’s operations and its global purpose-driven mission.
• The privilege to collaborate with an energetic local and international team dedicated to youth empowerment and systemic change.
• The chance to make a significant difference for youth.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your application through this Google form (https://forms.gle/HiWnpr88cSR5ipGAA) (A Gmail account is required to view this form and upload documents) by 22nd September 2024, at 05 PM GMT+2. 

DOT celebrates diversity and is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive environment that values cross-cultural understanding. We strongly encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, those from gender and sexually diverse communities, and/or those with intersectional identities. DOT ensures accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process. Please indicate any need for accommodations in your application.