Consultant - Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Expert

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is an international, non-profit research-for-development organization that works with governments, civil society, and the private sector to address water-related challenges in developing countries and scale up sustainable solutions. Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI is a CGIAR Research Center with offices in 17 countries and a global network of researchers operating in approximately 56 countries.

The Jahez Project seeks a qualified Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Expert to provide technical leadership and support for the integration of GEDSI principles across project activities. Working closely with the Project Management Team (PMT), consortium partners, consultants, and key stakeholders, the consultant will help ensure that project interventions are inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities, refugees, and other vulnerable groups, in line with donor requirements and IWMI policies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Deliverable 1: Inception and GEDSI Action Plan Operationalization Plan

Timeline: Within the first 15 working days of the consultancy

The consultant will prepare an inception package that includes:

• A brief assessment of the existing Jahez GEDSI Action Plan and its implementation status;
• A prioritization matrix identifying high-risk, high-value, and strategically important GEDSI areas and activities requiring technical support;
• An agreed GEDSI technical support workplan and indicative implementation schedule;
• Proposed coordination mechanisms with the PMT, MEL team, Regional GEDSI Advisor, consortium partners, and partner GEDSI focal points/consultants; and
• Identification of priority GEDSI capacity, evidence, and implementation gaps.

Deliverable 2: Periodic GEDSI Technical Advisory and Quality Assurance Updates

Timeline: Quarterly and/or in line with agreed project milestones

The consultant will prepare consolidated quarterly technical advisory updates linked to the Jahez quarterly reporting process. These updates will be based on inputs provided to selected priority activities and deliverables and may include:

• GEDSI-focused reviews of priority project activities and implementation approaches;
• Technical reviews of selected partner deliverables;
• Reviews of reports, publications, communication materials, and knowledge products;
• GEDSI-focused reviews of selected research and assessment methodologies;
• Technical advice on priority stakeholder engagement activities;
• Identification of GEDSI-related risks, gaps, and opportunities; and
• Prioritized recommendations and corrective or adaptive actions.

Reviews will focus on priority activities and products identified through the agreed prioritization process rather than all project activities and outputs.

Deliverable 3: GEDSI Capacity-Building Package

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

The consultant will deliver up to three structured GEDSI capacity-building sessions, with topics and target audiences agreed upon with the PMT and Regional GEDSI Advisor based on identified needs.

Indicative topics may include:

• GEDSI mainstreaming and implementation of the Jahez GEDSI Action Plan;
• Inclusive stakeholder engagement and participation; and
• GEDSI-sensitive monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL), and reporting.

The package will include:

• Training needs assessment and prioritization;
• Training agendas, curricula, and learning objectives for Jahez partners;
• Presentation and training materials;
• Practical tools, examples, and exercises, where appropriate;
• Participant attendance records;
• Participant feedback; and
• A brief report summarizing key learning outcomes, identified capacity gaps, and recommended follow-up actions.

Where appropriate, pre- and post-training assessments may be conducted to measure learning outcomes and identify areas requiring additional support.

Deliverable 4: GEDSI MEL, Evidence and Reporting Package

Timeline: Aligned with quarterly and annual MEL and reporting cycles

The consultant will provide targeted technical support to the MEL team and selected implementing partners to strengthen the quality, collection, and documentation of GEDSI-related evidence.

This support may include:

• Reviewing GEDSI indicators and indicator definitions;
• Advising on sex-, age-, disability-, and other relevant data disaggregation, where appropriate;
• Reviewing GEDSI-related monitoring tools and reporting approaches;
• Providing technical inputs to quarterly and annual reports;
• Identifying evidence gaps and recommending improvements; and
• Documenting GEDSI results, lessons learned, and evidence of change.

The consultant will provide support on an as-needed basis and will not be responsible for routine reporting by consortium partners.

Deliverable 5: Practical GEDSI Tools and Guidance Package

Timeline: By the midpoint of the consultancy, with revisions as required

The consultant will develop, adapt, and/or refine practical GEDSI tools and guidance materials based on project needs and existing IWMI, FCDO, and Jahez resources.

The toolkit may include:

• GEDSI activity review checklist;
• Inclusive workshop and training checklist;
• Event accessibility checklist;
• GEDSI-sensitive communication checklist;
• Partner GEDSI self-assessment tool;
• GEDSI review template;
• GEDSI reporting guidance; and
• Practical guidance notes for project teams and partners.

Where possible, priority will be given to adapting and applying existing tools and resources.

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

Timeline: As required throughout the consultancy

The consultant will provide targeted GEDSI technical support, within the agreed level of effort, for:

• Internal and external project reviews;
• Donor reviews and monitoring missions;
• Learning events;
• Selected consultant deliverables;
• Relevant procurement and activity-planning documents where GEDSI considerations are material;
• Selected communication campaigns; and
• Other priority project processes identified by the PMT.

Where required, the consultant will prepare concise briefing notes, evidence summaries, recommendations, and other supporting documentation.

Deliverable 7: Final GEDSI Learning and Recommendations Report

Timeline: Within the final 10 working days of the consultancy

The consultant will prepare a final report summarizing:

• Progress in implementing the Jahez GEDSI Action Plan;
• GEDSI-related technical support provided throughout the consultancy;
• Key achievements and examples of GEDSI integration;
• Progress, challenges, and evidence emerging from project implementation;
• Capacity-building activities and key learning outcomes;
• Major GEDSI risks, gaps, and mitigation measures identified;
• Good practices and lessons learned; and
• Recommendations for strengthening and sustaining GEDSI integration, capacity, and systems throughout the remainder of the project and beyond.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, Public Policy, Human Rights, Sociology, Disability Studies, or a related discipline. 

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential:

• At least 7 to 10 years of professional experience in gender equality, disability inclusion, and social inclusion programming.
• Demonstrated experience integrating GEDSI into climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, natural resource management, water, environmental, or resilience programs.
• Proven experience working on FCDO-funded projects or with other major bilateral or multilateral donors.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential:

• Strong understanding of safeguarding, intersectionality, and inclusive development approaches.
• Experience designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives.
• Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems with GEDSI-related indicators.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, research organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable.

Benefits

This is a globally recruited consultancy position; therefore, individuals with relevant expertise are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive remuneration rate for this assignment. The contract duration will be for a period of seven (07) months.

How to Apply: Apply for the position by following the application instructions at www.iwmi.org/jobs. Applications will be accepted until 24:00 (IST) on October 07, 2026 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis). Your application must include a CV, cover letter, and three (3) references. All applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity fuels our innovation, enhances our excellence, and is essential to our mission. We offer a multicultural, multicolor, multigenerational, and multidisciplinary working environment. We are committed to creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our dedication to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applications from individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities.