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Position:
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor
Location:
Consultancy | Home-based with travel to Morocco and Tunisia
Application Deadline:
07 Aug 2026
Duration:
Approximately 60 – 75 working days during the programme inception phase (anticipated period: September–December 2026)
Start Date:
01 September 2026
Consultancy Fee:
To be agreed based on qualifications and experience
About SPARK
SPARK is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for young people in fragile and conflict-affected contexts through entrepreneurship development and higher education. By strengthening local ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurs, and building institutional capacities, SPARK contributes to inclusive economic growth and sustainable employment.
About the Programme
SPARK is implementing a programme that aims to strengthen women’s entrepreneurship in Morocco and Tunisia by selecting, supporting and enabling In-Country implementing partners (IPs) through tailored financial and non-financial support.
IPs will drive impact, addressing barriers through co-designed interventions that will support women entrepreneurs and their enabling environment.
SPARK will build the capacity of these IPs to enhance gender-responsive and transformative business development services, including tailored skill-building for climate-vulnerable and informal women entrepreneurs in business management, financial literacy, and digital tools, alongside MHPSS and soft skills training. At the societal level, IPs will design and implement community sensitisation and norm-change dialogues; promote positive narrative campaigns on women’s economic participation; and establish structured networks to foster business linkages, resilience, and safety.
About the Assignment
SPARK is seeking a Senior Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor to
provide cohesive strategic and technical guidance at the inception phase of the programme and beyond, specifically for the baseline and MEAL set-up, selection and capacity building of partners, the co-design process, and any other guidance needed, from a gender transformative angle.
Scope of Work
Advise on the programme’s overall gender-transformative strategy, including criteria for co-designed projects by IPs, grounded in the realities of female entrepreneurs in Morocco and Tunisia.
Support the development and enhancement of IP selection tools from a gender responsive/ transformative and social inclusion angle.
Support the selection process.
Support the capacity assessments and capacity building plans for selected IPs, from a gender responsive/ transformative and social inclusion angle.
Support the co-design process with selected IPs.
Support the recruitment of SPARK staff from a gender lens.
Identify opportunities to strengthen the inclusion of underrepresented and vulnerable groups.
Support preparation of in-country programme kick-off clinics.
Support knowledge management, including regional networking and learning events.
Provide GESI training and coaching to SPARK staff
Inform programme learning and adaptive management based on the programme’s MEAL data.
Support the continuous strengthening of SPARK’s overall partnership approach by promoting gender-responsive and socially inclusive partnership models, tools and organisational practices that can be applied across SPARK’s programmes.
Expected Deliverables and Outputs
Expected deliverables and outputs will be refined and agreed at the onset of the assignment, and will most likely include:
Inception workplan to be designed in consultation with the other experts and the Programme Lead at the onset of the assignment.
Refined context-specific gender analysis with strategic and practical programme recommendations, as it relates to women entrepreneurship in Morocco and Tunisia.
Enhancements to the existing partnership tools (selection, capacity assessment, capacity development, co-design, and MEAL) to ensure gender responsiveness/ transformation and social inclusion.
Selected IPs assisted with their co-designed project proposals.
SPARK staff training delivered.
Programme kick-off clinics preparation supported.
Programme MEAL plan supported.
Final Consultancy Report, summarising activities undertaken, deliverables completed, key findings, recommendations and proposed next steps for programme implementation.
Requirements and Qualifications
The successful candidate should possess:
A Master’s degree in Gender Studies, International Development, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Economics, or another relevant discipline.
At least 10 years of professional experience in gender equality and social inclusion within international development programmes, including a clear track record in gender transformation and women’s empowerment.
Proven experience supporting entrepreneurship, MSME development, private sector development, or women’s economic empowerment initiatives.
At least 5 years of experience designing and delivering organisational capacity strengthening interventions.
Experience working with international donors, preferably the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, or comparable bilateral or multilateral organisations.
Experience in Morocco, Tunisia, or Northern Africa more generally is highly desirable.
Excellent analytical, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and report-writing skills.
Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of French and/or Arabic is considered a strong asset.
How to apply
Interested candidates are invited to apply through SPARK’s online recruitment platform at: https://vacancy.spark-online.org/
As part of the online application, candidates will be requested to upload:
A motivation letter outlining their suitability for the assignment;
An updated Curriculum Vitae;
Application deadline: 07 August 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity
SPARK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment. We welcome applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply