POSITION SUMMARY:

The Collective Impact and GESI Specialist will lead the overall programmatic and institutional integration of Collective Impact and GESI. The Specialist plays a crucial role in fostering collaborative partnerships and integrating gender and inclusion principles into programs, ensuring equitable and sustainable outcomes. The Specialist will ensure that the program consistently adopts community-based approaches and prioritizes the unique needs of individuals living at various identity intersections. The Specialist will report to the Chief of Party and collaborate closely with Winrock’s home office team.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement strategies for collective impact initiatives that align with organizational goals.

• Support the Community Solid Waste Management Specialist (Objective 2 Lead) in working with the stakeholders in the project´s geographies to establish a common agenda, create shared measurement systems and define mutually reinforcing activities that maximize impact and avoid duplication of efforts, to improve waste management and reduction systems, and to promote a circular economy.
• Establish regular communication channels among community participants, municipalities and the project team.
• Develop leaders who can facilitate collaboration, manage conflicts, and build trust among stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Community Solid Waste Management Specialist (Objective 2 Lead) to adapt the initiative to fit the specific needs and conditions of the local community.

• Lead the design and implementation of an intersectional GESI analysis at startup and use the findings to inform the design of a programmatic GESI strategy.
• Lead the implementation and monitoring of the program’s GESI strategy.
• Provide technical leadership to program technical staff to consistently integrate GESI into activities, assessments/evaluations, tools, communication materials, partnership agreements, etc.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration, including government agencies, NGOs, private sector, and community groups.
• Identify and address systemic barriers to gender equality and social inclusion in programmatic contexts.
• Conduct training and workshops to build stakeholder capacity on collective impact approaches and GESI best practices.
• Support stakeholders in embedding GESI principles into their policies, programs, and decision-making processes.

• Support the identification and strengthening of the “Backbone Organizations”
• Support the engagement of community members with a focus on equity.

• Collaborate with program teams to design and implement inclusive interventions that align with collective impact principles.
• Ensure that program activities are informed by intersectional gender analyses and community input.
• Support the co-creation of solutions with stakeholders to ensure ownership and sustainability.
• Regularly inform program action planning and MEL activities to ensure GESI remains a key consideration.
• Work closely with the MEL team to integrate GESI into the program’s MEL plan and framework, including systematic disaggregation of data by sex, age, and other context-relevant social identities. Support the collection and analysis of data to learn, adapt, and improve collective impact strategies over time.
• Work with the MEL team and other technical staff to advance key learning questions around gender equity and social inclusion.
• Facilitate ongoing learning around GESI (i.e., setting a learning agenda, creating opportunities for regular community consultations, and collecting qualitative data from project participants).
• Strengthen the GESI capacity of program staff and partners via regular workshops and refreshers.
• Facilitate annual GESI Pause & Reflect sessions for program staff and partners.
• Showcase the program’s GESI learnings and achievements with other development actors through external partner platforms.
• Actively engage in internal relationship building, providing program staff and implementing partners with updates on the GESI strategy.
• Mentor program staff on GESI integration.
• Lead the design and implementation of a GESI assessment at program closeout.
• Monitor collective impact initiatives, ensuring measurable outcomes in equity and inclusion.
• Analyze data to assess the effectiveness of GESI integration and identify lessons learned.
• Prepare reports, case studies, and success stories to showcase the impact of GESI-focused interventions.
• Represent the program at relevant conferences and stakeholder and donor meetings as appropriate.
• Maintain a close working relationship with the home office Senior GESI Technical Lead and collaborate as needed on GESI integration for the program (e.g., development of training materials, GESI strategy development, report writing, etc.).
• Other relevant responsibilities as assigned by COP.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:

Minimum of a master’s degree and 4 years of experience, a PhD and 2 years of experience, or a bachelor’s degree and 6 years of experience, degree in Sociology, Economy, Anthropology or other social science, International Development, Local Development, Sustainable Development, Gender & Development, Environmental Science or a related field required.

Experience: 

• Demonstrated experience providing GESI technical guidance to international development projects, preferably in the Latin America region.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience applying intersectional and inclusive development approaches.
• Demonstrated knowledge of male engagement approaches and experience applying male engagement strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in advising on integrating GESI in solid waste management, climate change, environment, economic growth, or circular economy, preferred.
• Knowledge and experience of the collective impact approach is an advantage.
• Knowledge of GESI analysis skills including sample design, mixed method designs, instrument development, and data analysis.
• Experience designing and facilitating in-person and virtual GESI trainings/workshops.
• Demonstrated experience with reflective practice methodology is preferred.
• Strong understanding of issues historically marginalized populations face in the Dominican Republic and the broader Latin America region.
• Experience working with USAID-funded projects is an advantage.
• Familiarity with USAID GESI policies, approaches, tools, and frameworks is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of the Dominican Republic.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of ‘Do No Harm’ principles and ability to translate these principles programmatically.
• Strong work planning, organization, and strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to build effective working relations with colleagues and partners.
• Ability to mentor colleagues in writing and communicating around GESI issues.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain discretion and work with highly confidential and/or protected information required.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills (interpersonal, verbal, and written) in Spanish and English.
• Fluency in Haitian Creole would be a plus.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements