Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Assistant, FSM WASH

• Pohnpei-based position
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime (GEM) Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management, and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Assistant, FSM WASH will be 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.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

GESI mainstreaming support across all project outputs and activities

• 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 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.

GESI-responsive consultation design and facilitation support

• 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.

Technical support on inclusive policy and planning documents

• 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.

Capacity building on GESI for government and project stakeholders

• 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 considerations into project communications and outreach activities.

GESI monitoring, data management and reporting

• 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.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• 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.

Technical expertise

• 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. 

Language skills

• Good communications skills in English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This position is budgeted until 31 December 2028, subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Assistant, FSM WASH is a Band 7 position in SPC’s 2026 salary scale, with a starting taxable salary range of USD 32,652–40,815 per year, plus local staff benefits. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale will be based on annual performance reviews.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised locally (EPAL) whose duty station is Pohnpei – SPC provides medical and life insurance for eligible employees. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave. Provident Fund and/or Social Security will be according to FSM’s local legislation.

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals.  If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will be given to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Please note that applicants must be FSM Nationals currently residing in the country or hold the proper work permit for salaried employment there.

Application procedure

Closing date: 4 October 2026 – 11:00 pm Noumea time

Job Reference: CR000627

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. In the Pacific it is easy to just count how many women came to a meeting. When you are helping run a consultation, what practical things do you do so that women and people who are often left out can actually take part and be heard?
2. Talking about gender and inclusion can be sensitive in Pacific communities. When you are supporting this kind of work, how do you handle these issues respectfully while still making progress?
3. Part of this role is helping keep track of who takes part — women, people with disability, people from different islands — and helping put that into reports. In a busy field setting, how do you keep those records accurate and up to date?