Provide technical assistance to strengthen and advance intersectional gender equality, disability and social inclusion internally, and with our SRH country programs in the Asia Pacific region.
Location: MSIAP is located in Melbourne. Consultants may work remotely.
At MSI Reproductive Choices we are unapologetically pro-choice. We believe that every person has the right to make choices about their own body and future. As one of the world’s leading providers of contraception and safe abortion care, we give everyone the means to do so. Across 37 countries, we provide high quality, safe services, and advocate to create an enabling environment, so every client has safe access to services when and where they are needed.
MSI Asia Pacific (MSIAP) serves as the public engagement and project management office for MSI in Australia and the Asia Pacific region. We play a critical role in delivering MSI’s mission of ‘children by choice, not chance’ by supporting MSI country programs (CPs) to expand access to family planning and safe abortion services. We do this in three key ways: fundraising, project management, and advocacy.
MSI is committed to creating an inclusive environment with a workforce which is representative of the communities we serve. We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer and give equal consideration to all qualified applicants without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age. We are committed to promoting equality and safeguarding the welfare of all team members and clients, with a focus on vulnerable groups.
MSIAP is seeking a consultant to provide technical assistance to strengthen and advance intersectional gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) internally, and with our SRH country programs (CPs) in the Asia Pacific region. In 2021, country-level GEDSI strategies were developed to support 2030 strategic plans and have been implemented across the preceding years. The consultancy will have three key focus areas: working with staff in each country to review and update seven GEDSI strategies, strengthen country-level GEDSI Strategy implementation, and review MSIAP GEDSI policies and partnership approach.
Working in collaboration with CPs, update country-level GEDSI Strategies:
Review and update CP GEDSI strategies, working with CPs to complete the MSI GESI reflection assessment, where required.
review and update GEDSI analysis and country context within GEDSI strategies, drawing on current GEDSI data.
Review and update the CP GEDSI Action Plans, streamlining where possible and aligning to learnings from GESI reflection tool, and indicators with existing data MSI data sources, such as Client Exit Interviews and other client feedback mechanisms.
Strengthen country-level GEDSI Strategy implementation:
Where partnerships form a key part of the CP GEDSI Strategy, complete partnership mapping and formulate recommendations for strengthening ways of working with CSOs and other local specialist organisations.
Where training delivery forms a key part of the CP GEDSI Strategy, set up a training register and process for tracking training progress.
Facilitate or support the facilitation of a GEDSI Strategy presentation for each of the CPs, to garner support for the Strategies across the relevant teams including recommendations for strengthening partnerships and tracking training.
Review MSIAP GEDSI policies:
Review and update MSIAP’s GEDSI policies in line with DFAT’s minimum standards.
Timing of the consultancy is flexible and required activities may be completed non-consecutively. However, all deliverables must be completed by end of May 2024.
Planned activities (Plus Approx. Days & Expected outcomes):
Update country-level GEDSI Strategies
Desk-top review: Review CP GEDSI strategies and associated action plans, completed GEDSI reflection assessments (where available), MSI data sources, resources and materials.
Approx. Days: 4
Expected outcomes:
Consultant generates understanding of CP GEDSI Strategies and Action Plans
Consultant can use the material to inform updates to GEDSI strategies and action plans
Update GEDSI Strategies and Action Plans:
Work with relevant GEDSI focal persons to update GEDSI Strategies with current data; draw on desktop review to incorporate key learnings from completed MSI GEDSI reflection assessments; where possible, align action plan indicators with existing MSI data sources.
Approx days: 20
Expected outcomes:
GEDSI Strategies and Action Plans are current, informed by past learnings, and indicators are aligned with appropriate data sources within MSI systems
Strengthen country-level GEDSI Strategy implementation:
Partnership mapping: Map GEDSI partnerships and formulate recommendations for strengthening ways of working
Approx. Days: 4
Expected outcomes:
GEDSI partnerships are clearly mapped, with ways of partnering clearly defined and recommendations
Training register
Set up a training register and process for tracking training progress
Approx Days: 1
Expected outcomes:
Process for tracking GEDSI-related training is developed and understood by CPs
GEDSI learning
Work with relevant GEDSI focal persons to support facilitation (or where required, lead facilitation) of a GEDSI Strategy presentation
Approx. Days: 4
Expected outcomes: Increased understanding and ownership of CP commitment to GEDSI via GEDSI Strategies and Action Plans by key members of CP teams
Organisational GEDSI Policy Review
Policy review: Review and update MSIAP’s related GEDSI policies in line with DFAT’s minimum standards
Approx. Days: 3
Expected outcomes: Recommendations to strengthen policies and processes for MSIAP, in line with DFAT’s minimum standards
Closure Report
Draft end of project report and any further recommendations for action.
Approx. Days: 1
Expected outcomes:
End of Project report
Total days: 37
Essential:
Experience developing strategic plans in cooperation with others who represent a wide range of interests and needs.
High level expertise on gender equality and disability inclusion in development programs, preferably with understanding of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade requirements and approaches to gender equality and disability inclusion.
Significant experience working at a senior level implementing and/or providing technical assistance in sexual and reproductive health programs.
Strong technical capacity and practical experience in designing and implementing development programs in Asia and/or the Pacific.
Proven experience in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating gender equality and disability inclusive projects and programs.
Strong interpersonal skills, able to work well in cross-cultural teams and under tight deadlines.
Excellent group facilitation, multi-stakeholder consultation, and strategic planning skills.
Strong writing skills, both for technical papers and reports.
Ability and drive to work independently.
Desired:
Excellent capacity-building and training skills, including development and delivery of training.
Click Apply Now to submit your application.
We are happy to accept applications from organisations. Please ensure the lead consultant is identified and ensure the consultant’s experience and current resume is included in the application.
Further questions can be directed to Kasey.Mcdonald@msichoices.org.au using the subject line: Consultant – Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion – SRH Programs enquiry.
MSIAP is a child-safe organisation and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation abuse and harassment. All successful applicants will be required to abide by our Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct and our MSI Global Code of Conduct in addition to undergoing a police check prior to commencement.