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

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.

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.