Terms of Reference

Position Title:

Gender Equality Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Intern

Location:

Hanoi

Period of Assignment:

Six (6) months (with possible extension)

Provisional start date: 4^th September 2024

Reporting To:

International GEDSI Manager

Background:

Cowater International is a global leader in management consulting services specialising in international development. We have managed the implementation of over 2500 projects in more than 95 countries, supporting governments, partner organisations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, economic and environmental impacts.

Cowater is offering an exciting Intern position to support the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) work of its flagship socio-economic development initiative in Vietnam – The Gender-Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism Phase 2 (GREAT 2). 

The objectives of the GREAT 2 Program are:

Objective 1 – Ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have improved economic benefits.

Objective 2 – Ethnic minority women living in Son La and Lao Cai, have increased confidence and social status, including more balanced workloads and greater decision-making within the home, workplace, and community.    

Objective 3 – Ethnic minority women and household members living in Son La and Lao Cai benefit from more gender-responsive, inclusive, and effective provincial and national policies, plans, strategies, and programs.

In this second five-year phase, GREAT 2 will continue its focus on agriculture and tourism, identifying specific sectors that lend themselves to opportunities for women’s economic empowerment and work with multiple stakeholders to address constraints, generate opportunities, drive market growth and increase productive value of the sector. Cross-sector strategies such as women, access to finance, digital transformation, policy advocacy and behaviour change will complement the sector strategies.

Statement of Duty:

GREAT 2 is providing an exciting opportnunity for the right candidate to contribute to making lasting economic empowement for ethnic minority women in Vietnam’s northwest provinces. This is a unique opportunity for a university graduate or an entry-level young professional in social inclusion to apply their knowledge within an internaitonal development program setting.

The GEDSI Intern will be a vital part of the GEDSI team supporting the work of the International GEDSI Manager and the National Gender Advisor. They will spend 80% of their time supporting the International Manager with translation services, data collection (field interviews) and analysis of how market systems can work better for ethnic minority women, including those with disabilities. 20% of their time will include hands-on exposure and support in managing GEDSI-targeted investments including Womens Entrepeneurship and Leadership (WEL), and Digital Transformation.

The GEDSI Intern is provided with a monthly allowance.

Specific Duties:

1. Participate in field trips to Son La and Lao Cai provinces and acting as translator for the International GEDSI Manager
2. Support organisation and administration tasks before and during field trips, including communications with related partners
3. Support GEDSI analyses including interpretation (verbal and written information), notetaking, proof reading, data/figures quality assurance
4. Support in collating and analysing interview data for GEDSI Analyses and reporting

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent speaking and writing skills in English. Interpretation and translation experience is highly regarded.
• Required University-level studies in any of the following:

1. Women Studies and Gender Equality,
2. Ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples or cultural intelligence
3. Disability inclusion
4. Other forms of social inclusion

• Understanding and/or experience in international aid and development programming is highly regarded
• Data collection (field interviews and desk based research)
• Analysis and report writing
• Highly adaptive, solution-oriented disability expert able to work to challenging deadlines;
• Knowledge of market sectors is highly regarded:

1. agriculture and tourism value chains,
2. access to finance, policy engagement,
3. digital transformation and/or
4. women’s entrepreneurship and leadership projects
   

Application process

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by sending applications to [email protected] no later than 5 pm Hanoi Time (GMT+7) Thursday 15^th August 2024. Please indicate in the subject “GEDSI Intern”. We thank all applicants, however, only those making the shortlist will be contacted.

Applications should include:

• A cover letter.
• A Curriculum Vitae.
• Contact details of two referees.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.