JOB DESCRIPTION
| Job Title: | Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Assistant, FSM WASH |
|---|---|
| Division/Programme and Section/Project (if any): | Geoscience, Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division, Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) |
| Location: | Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (with regular travel to Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae)- Micronesia Regional Office (SPC) |
| Reporting to: | Project Manager, FSM WASH |
| Number of Direct Reports: | 0 |
| Purpose of Role: | The GESI Assistant is responsible for ensuring that gender equality and social inclusion principles are systematically and meaningfully integrated across all activities, outputs and deliverables of the FSM WASH project. The role provides dedicated technical assistance on GESI to the project team, government counterparts and stakeholders, and ensures that the project meets its obligations as a Significant Objective under the EU Gender Action Plan III. The GESI Assistant will support the design and application of GESI screening tools, coordinate disaggregated participation data, guide on inclusive policy language, and will ensure that the differential water and sanitation needs of women, girls, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, traditional communities and other marginalised groups are reflected in all project outputs, including the National Water and Sanitation Policy and State Master Plans. |
| Date: | September 2026 |
Organizational Context and Organization Chart
SPC is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, proudly supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. SPC is deeply committed to gender equality and the meaningful inclusion of all Pacific peoples in development processes.
The FSM WASH project is funded by the European Union under NDICI-Global Europe and scored as a Significant Objective under the EU Gender Marker system. Gender equality is therefore a core accountability of the project, not merely a cross-cutting principle. The GESI Assistant plays a central role in meeting this commitment and in ensuring that FSM’s first National Water and Sanitation Policy is grounded in rights-based, inclusive governance. The GESI Assistant sits within the Micronesia Regional Office..
Key Result Areas (KRAs):
KRA 1: GESI mainstreaming support across all project outputs and activities (35%)
KRA 2: GESI-responsive consultation design and facilitation support (25%)
KRA 3: Technical support on inclusive policy and planning documents (20%)
KRA 4: Capacity building on GESI for government and project stakeholders (15%)
KRA 5: GESI monitoring, data management and reporting (5%)
The performance requirements of the Key Result Areas are broadly described below
| Jobholder is accountable for | Jobholder is successful when |
|---|---|
| KRA 1: GESI mainstreaming support across all project outputs and activities (35%) - Support the integration of GESI principles notably through the GESI action plan across project activities, consultations and deliverables. - Apply GESI screening tools at each stage of the project (consultations, governance reviews, policy development etc.) - Assist with the review of project outputs to ensure GESI-responsive language, indicators and recommendations - Collect and maintain participation data and information relating to GESI outcomes - Support engagement with stakeholders to promote inclusive participation (at least | - GESI considerations are integrated into key project activities, plans and deliverables - GESI screening and review processes are consistently applied across project outputs. - Participation of women, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups is tracked and reported - Feedback from diverse stakeholder groups informs project implementation and decision-making. |
| 50% women, representation of persons with disabilities and marginalised groups) - Budget and arrange inter-island and outer island transport logistics to ensure equitable geographic reach. | |
|---|---|
| KRA 2: GESI-responsive consultation design and facilitation support (25%) - In collaboration with the Community Engagement Assistant and National Capacity and Facilitation Adviser, assist in planning and delivering inclusive consultation and engagement activities. - Support the development and use of inclusive consultation tools and approaches. - Facilitate participation of women, people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. - Document consultation outcomes and GESI-related issues arising from engagement activities - Support on venue selection, timing, language and communication format to maximise participation of marginalised groups. | - Consultation processes are inclusive, accessible and culturally appropriate. - Women, people with disabilities and other target groups participate meaningfully in project consultations - GESI-related issues identified during consultations are documented and addressed appropriately. - Consultation records demonstrate compliance with agreed GESI standards and participation targets |
| KRA 3: Technical support on inclusive policy and planning documents (20%) - Provide GESI input to policies, plans and project documents. - Support the incorporation of GESI considerations into governance, planning and monitoring & evaluation frameworks. - Assist in reviewing project outputs to ensure they reflect diverse community needs and perspectives. - Liaise with relevant SPC's Gender and Equity Team to gather and incorporate GESI-related information. | - GESI considerations are reflected in relevant policies, plans and governance documents. - Project outputs address the needs and priorities of diverse community groups. - Relevant GESI indicators are incorporated into project frameworks and reporting mechanisms. - Technical support and recommendations align with project and SPC GESI standards. |
| KRA 4: Capacity building on GESI for government and project stakeholders (15%) - Support the delivery of GESI awareness, training and capacity-building activities for PMU staff, DoRD counterparts, state utility staff and project consultants - Assist in the development of practical GESI guidance materials and tools tailored to the WASH sector in the FSM context. - Promote understanding and application of GESI principles among project stakeholders. - Contribute with the Community Engagement Assistant to integrating GESI | - GESI awareness and capacity-building activities are delivered as planned - Practical guidance materials and tools are developed and made available to stakeholders. - Stakeholders demonstrate increased understanding and application of GESI principles. - GESI principles are effectively incorporated into project communications and outreach activities. - At least two GESI training sessions are delivered for PMU and government counterparts per year. |
| considerations into project communications and outreach activities | - GESI toolkits specific to WASH governance are developed and distributed to DoRD and state utilities. |
|---|---|
| KRA 5: GESI monitoring, data management and reporting (5%) - Contribute to donor and project reporting requirements relating to GESI - Monitor and report emerging GESI risks, issues and opportunities - Support the documentation of lessons learned and good practices. - Maintain a comprehensive GESI data registry, including disaggregated participation records for all project activities. | - GESI data and participation records are accurate, current and readily available - GESI reporting requirements are met on time and to an acceptable standard. - Emerging GESI risks and issues are identified and raised promptly. - Lessons learned and good practices are documented and shared with the project team |
The above performance requirements are provided as a guide only. The precise performance measures for this job will need further discussion between the jobholder and supervisor as part of the performance development process.
Most Challenging Duties Typically Undertaken (Complexity):
- Navigating traditional gender norms and hierarchies across FSM's four culturally distinct states while maintaining respectful, culturally appropriate working relationships.
- Ensuring that LGBTQ+ inclusion is addressed sensitively in a Pacific cultural context.
- Sustaining government ownership of GESI principles during and beyond the project period.
Functional Relationships & Relationship Skills:
| Key internal and/or external contacts | Nature of the contact most typical |
|---|---|
| External Key external contacts are: - FSM DoRD, FSM DoHSA, FSM December - State Utility Corporations - Civil Society and Women's Organization | - Government counterpart support; policy GESI review support - GESI training delivery; inclusive planning support - Assist with safe-space consultation facilitation; community GESI data gathering |
| Internal Key internal contacts are: - Project Manager, FSM WASH - Community Engagement Assistant - National Capacity and Facilitation Adviser | - Assist with reporting, risk escalation, performance management - Support joint planning of inclusive consultations; community GESI integration |
| - MRO Office | - GESI integration into stakeholder facilitation and training design assistance - Gender Marker reporting compliance; Gender Action Plan III alignment assistance |
|---|
Level of Delegation:
Routine Expenditure Budget: 0 EUR
Budget Sign off Authority without requiring approval from direct supervisor: 0 EUR
Personal Specification:
This section is designed to capture the expertise required for the role at the 100% fully effective level. (This does not necessarily reflect what the current position holder has.) This may be a combination of knowledge / experience, qualifications or equivalent level of learning through experience or key skills, attributes or job specific competencies.
Qualifications
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - Tertiary qualification (diploma) from a recognized institution in a relevant discipline such as community development, social sciences, communications, development studies, public health, environmental studies or equivalent body of knowledge and experience. | - A degree qualification in gender studies, development studies, public policy or a related field. Formal training or certification in GESI mainstreaming methodologies. |
Knowledge/Experience
| Essential: | Desirable: |
|---|---|
| - At least 3 years of professional experience in GESI programming, gender mainstreaming or social inclusion or similar in a development context. - Knowledge in GESI principles for application in policy development, programme design or governance processes. - Experience facilitating inclusive consultations with diverse stakeholder groups. - Good communications skills in English | - Experience in GESI capacity building or training delivery. - Experience in the Pacific region, ideally with Micronesian communities. - Familiarity with EU Gender Action Plan III and EU Gender Marker requirements. - Experience in WASH, water resources or environmental sector programming. - Knowledge of FSM’s social, cultural and governance landscape. - Experience contributing to international donor reporting on gender equality. |
Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies
The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:
| Expert level | - GESI analysis, mainstreaming and policy - Design and facilitation of inclusive participatory processes |
|---|---|
| Advanced level | - GESI capacity building and training delivery - Disaggregated data management and gender indicator management - Written communication and donor reporting |
| Working knowledge | - Gender-responsive policy review and drafting - WASH sector programming and governance - EU Gender Action Plan III and Gender Marker requirements - Microsoft Office Suite and data management tools |
| Awareness | - SPC operational policies, procedures and gender standards - FSM governance structures and community social norms - International human rights standards related to WASH |
Key Behaviours
All employees are measured against the following Key Behaviours as part of Performance Development:
- Change and Innovation
- Interpersonal Skills
- Teamwork
- Promotion of Equity and Equality
- Judgement
Personal Attributes
- High level of professional integrity, ethics and personal commitment to gender equality
- Empathetic, culturally respectful and sensitive in engagement with diverse communities
- Confident and diplomatic when raising gender equity issues in politically complex environments
- Detail-oriented with strong analytical skills
- Able to work collaboratively across disciplines and in multicultural teams
Change to Job Description:
From time to time, it may be necessary to consider changes in the job description in response to the changing nature of the work environment – including technological requirements or statutory changes. Such change may be initiated as necessary by SPC. This Job Description may also be reviewed as part of the preparation for performance planning for the annual performance cycle.
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