Project: Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF)
Position Location: Flexible. Global Majority regions preferred but not required.
Position type: Full-time five-year fixed-term contract
Compensation: US$ 70,000 to US$ 90,000
Closing date: 7 January 2024
Background:
About this Role
GDIP is seeking an experienced Policy and Advocacy Lead Advisor to lead the policy advocacy strategy and efforts of the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WiDEF) project. The advisor will conduct policy and regulatory analysis across countries and regions where WiDEF will invest, to identify gaps and advocacy needs that will facilitate and support successful WiDEF investments.
This is an exciting opportunity to drive forward relevant areas of WiDEF’s policy change objectives with specific reference to closing the digital gender divide by :
- Developing and implementing effective gender responsive policy & advocacy strategies and recommendations, with a focus on enabling women in digital development and in the digital economy.
- Support the policy and advocacy agenda with the insights and experiences of women in digital technologies, especially technology entrepreneurs.
About the program:
WiDEF is a five-year, $60M+ digital inclusion program funded by USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. WiDEF will directly scale evidence-based solutions to effectively close the gender digital divide. Employing a strong localization approach, the program will create opportunities for organizations and businesses at the forefront of equitable digital inclusion to receive financial, technical and operational support to advance their work. WiDEF will collaborate with industry leading organizations to engage local and global private sector actors and funders to advance a shared set of commitments to closing the gender digital divide. Beyond direct delivery, the initiative will incorporate a substantial policy and advocacy component as well as global communications efforts in order to inform and influence action at every level of the development system.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement effective and gender responsive policy & advocacy strategies and addressing the gender digital divide.
- Strategise and implement the tactical delivery of key aspects of WiDEF’s policy and advocacy work, with a focus on enabling women’s participation in the digital economy
- Working with the Regional Advocacy Managers (Africa and Asia) to develop the policy agenda for supporting WiDEF initiatives in the regions
- Lead the policy development and messaging on gender responsive technology policy moments including, but not limited to, relevant UN and ITU meetings, industry meetings, regional convenings, etc.
- Develop a policy strategy for issues emerging from insights, the WiDEF learnings and through the Community of Practice, addressing overall participation of women in digital technologies and economies as well as focused on mainstreaming gender inclusive policies and practices.
- Identify opportunities to advance the WiDEF policy agenda and build new partnerships
- Maintain up to date expert knowledge on the policy landscape on the gender digital divide through monitoring and interpreting the digital ecosystem in which the project works and advising on adjustments to the strategic direction as appropriate
- Provide strategic and timely analysis and commentary on policy development relating to WiDEF’s work
- Influencing the governments and relevant stakeholders’ policies to ensure women are at the center of digital development and technology innovation
- Work closely with the communications team to coordinate efforts and ensure visibility of WiDEF’s advocacy efforts
- Ensure policy proposals are grounded in sound gender analysis and advance women’s inclusion in digital development and economies.
- Lead on developing relevant policy briefings
- Cultivate, build and manage influential advocacy and policy relationships with Governments, civil society, networks and partners
- Identify and manage engagement with key stakeholders across the digital ecosystem, with a focus on those working toward digital equality
- Contribute to relevant sector wide networks and groups
- Representation and Communication
- Lead and coordinate policy and advocacy efforts across the WiDEF consortium
- Represent WiDEF in person and in writing to key stakeholders
- Provide support to partners, including but not limited to, leadership council, advisory council and senior WiDEF staff, through drafting of briefing notes, talking points and speeches as needed.
- Develop and co-ordinate the use of policy-oriented key messages and materials for use in media.
- Liaise and represent WiDEF policy positions and priorities with external partners.
Required Skills and Experience
- Demonstration of solid knowledge of and/or experience working on gender policies in digital technologies and/or in the domains of ICT4Development, digital inclusion, gender inclusion and related areas highly desired.
- Ability to work across different cultures (and time zones) with senior officials, policy professionals and grassroots advocates.
- International work and lived experience, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or South Asia
- Master’s degree in public policy or other relevant field, or the equivalent combination of education and work experience
- An entrepreneurial mindset, comfort with ambiguity and a commitment to going beyond the status quo
Core Values and Competencies:
- Awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues in technology, especially digital development in the global majority
- Understanding of and belief in feminist principles in practice Inclusive collaborative style
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Integrity and professionalism
Functional Competencies:
- Proven knowledge and expertise in driving a policy and advocacy strategy at the international and regional levels, especially in Africa and/or Asia;
- Proven management and leadership skills to drive success;
- Proven ability to conceptualize and implement a policy agenda to drive change at multiple levels from national, regional to global.
- Excellent knowledge of the digital gender landscape in the global majority.
- Proven ability to develop partnerships for driving a policy agenda.
- Outstanding written and oral communications and editing skills; proven ability to draft policy documents and position issues effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Demonstrated experience and skill in effectively managing multiple stakeholders and successfully juggling multifaceted priorities
- Strong knowledge of gender and digital issues.
Experience:
- At least 8-10 years of management experience in policy advocacy, preferably with an international organization and/or one based in the global majority.
- Experience working with senior government officials and staff.
- Senior level management experience and ability to work well with decision makers.
- Experience of managing teams, including networked capacity in multiple remote locations and organizations.
Languages:
Fluent written and oral presentation in English is required. Knowledge of another language is an advantage.
Job Details
Location: This is a full-time 5-year contract term position, location is negotiable with preference for centrally located cities with easy access to global hubs.
The successful candidate must have permission to work at the preferred location.
Remuneration: GDIP offers competitive compensation – based on value, skill, and experience – with excellent benefits. Salary range for this position is US$70,000 to $90,000
To apply and be considered, please send an expression of interest letter, including salary requirement, and a resume/CV to jobs@globaldigitalinclusion.org by January 7, 2024
GDIP is committed to inclusivity and equity in its hiring process and practices and is therefore open to candidates of all backgrounds. We are interested in candidates who consider themselves champions of digital equality for the people of the global majority.
GDIP is fiscally sponsored by Global Impact, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Individuals based in the USA will be legally employed by Global Impact on behalf of GDIP.