Gender Specialist

About CDDRS

The Centre for Dryland Development & Resilience Systems (CDDRS) is a non-profit technical organization working to improve livelihoods, well-being, and resilience in dryland communities. Operating in Somalia’s drylands, it collaborates with local communities, research bodies, and development organizations to create practical solutions grounded in evidence and community priorities. Its work spans climate-smart agriculture, dryland food systems, natural resource management, applied research, and resilience building in fragile areas affected by drought. The organization’s broader aim is to strengthen food security and support sustainable livelihoods through participatory research, co-created solutions, and locally led delivery.

Role Overview

This position is a full-time Gender Specialist role based in Mogadishu. It includes an on-site requirement with some flexibility to work remotely. The role is responsible for embedding gender equality and social inclusion throughout CDDRS programs, projects, and research activities in dryland and resilience settings.

Key Duties

The selected professional will carry out gender analysis, shape gender-responsive strategies and action plans, and help ensure that project design and implementation reflect the needs of women, men, girls, and boys. The role also includes creating and adapting gender-sensitive tools, indicators, and guidance materials, supporting data collection and monitoring, and contributing technical input to proposals, reports, and knowledge outputs.

In addition, the Gender Specialist will lead or support training and capacity-building sessions for staff and partners, work with communities and stakeholders to encourage gender-responsive approaches, and contribute to advocacy and learning related to gender, climate resilience, and dryland livelihoods.

Requirements

• Deep knowledge of gender analysis, gender mainstreaming, and social inclusion in development, climate resilience, or humanitarian work.
• Hands-on experience creating and implementing gender-responsive initiatives, including gender action plans, indicators, and monitoring systems.
• Ability to use qualitative and quantitative research approaches, especially for gathering and interpreting sex- and age-disaggregated field data.
• Background working with rural or agropastoral communities, preferably in dryland, fragile, or drought-affected environments.
• Proven capability to design and facilitate training, workshops, and capacity-building activities on gender and social inclusion for different audiences.
• Strong communication skills, both written and spoken, with the ability to prepare reports, briefs, and learning materials for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working with local partners, community organizations, and government or institutional stakeholders on gender-focused initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary, cross-cultural teams, with strong facilitation skills.

Additional Information

CDDRS is focused on evidence-based, community-driven work in dryland settings, with a strong emphasis on locally led implementation, scientific rigor, and practical solutions. The role contributes directly to programming that supports resilience, inclusion, and improved livelihoods in drought-affected contexts.