TERMS OF REFERENCE
Position Title: Programme Officer (PO)- Gender-responsive panchayats
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Organization: CECOEDECON (UNFPA supported project)
Period: Till Dec 2026
1. Background:
With the technical and financial support of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), CECOEDECON is implementing project “SWABHIMAAN” with an aim to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights while adopting human right based, gender transformative and evidence-informed approach with focus on young people representing marginalized and vulnerable section of the society.
Gender Based Violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations and restricts the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially the SDG 5 on gender equality. UNFPA’s 10th Country Programme in India (2023 – 2027) has a specific sub output - community based mechanisms and structures strengthened to implement strategies that transform regressive gender norms that justify and perpetuate GBV and harmful practices. In this context, UNFPA through its implementing partner CECOEDECON proposes implementation of a project to strengthen the capacities of Panchayati Raj Institutions including Elected Representatives of Panchayats by working with the Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Rajasthan for mainstreaming gender in training and planning of panchayats as well as demonstrating pilot models on developing Women and Girl Friendly Gram Panchayats (WGFGP).
The project aims to work towards the theme 9 ‘Women Friendly Villages’ identified by Ministry of Panchayati Raj for localization of SGDs.
2.Job Responsibilities:
To work in close coordination with Panchayati Raj Department, Jaipur, the position of PO-Gender-responsive panchayats is created. The candidate will be responsible for providing technical and program management support for advancing the work on Women and Girl Friendly Gram Panchayats (WGFGP) in the state in coordination with Panchayati Raj Department, UNFPA and CECOEDECON.
The specific responsibilities include:
A. Advancing the WGFGP Agenda and localizing SDGs:
• Provide technical support to Department of Panchayati Raj, UNFPA and CECOEDECON to advance the agenda of WFGFP in the state by facilitating regular meetings, VCs, related directions, evidence generation, experience sharing, and analytical exercises.
• Support implementation and scaling up of the Women and Girl Friendly Gram Panchayat (WGFGP) framework by facilitating coordination with district administration, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and partner organizations to advance WGFGP goals.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral convergence at the state and district levels for developing WGFGPs and localizing SDGs. Facilitate joint directions by Departments to ensure the convergence by key departments to holistically cover health, education, skill development, economic, social and political environment of girls and women in safe and enabling environment, which is the mandate of WGFGPs.
• Facilitate regular quarterly and monthly review meetings organized between department and UNFPA to take stock of the programme implementation.
• Undertake extensive field visits to identified geographies for onsite observation, monitor and provide support and feedback to field team for improvements in development of WGFGP and localizing SDGs.
B. Strengthening reporting on panchayat Advancement Index especially for Women Friendly panchayats.:
• Capacity building of district, block as well as panchayat level officials for enhancing their understanding on PAI indicators & themes, data collection on indicators and its reporting.
• Map challenges and design concrete recommendations for strengthening the reporting and data management related to PAI, especially for the identified Women friendly panchayats.
• Enhance institutional collaboration and coordinate with State, district and block level officials to streamline and improving reporting mechanisms related to PAI Theme 9 indicators.
• Provide support in developing SOPs, guidelines, tools, and formats to facilitate efficient data collection and reporting.
• Monitor progress of PAI reporting and provide analytical inputs to improve performance of Panchayats.
• Support in streamlining the use of Panchayat Development Index in the panchayats especially the model WGFGP.
C. Strengthening Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs):
• Provide technical support for enhancing quality and inclusiveness of GPDP preparation processes.
• Undertake detailed GPDP analysis exercise, map challenges in terms of gender-responsive GPDPs, develop concrete recommendations and facilitate actions across the state in line with the recommendations to make GPDPs gender-responsive.
• Develop knowledge management products for strengthening gender responsive budgeting in panchayats and Facilitate issue of related directions and guidelines to panchayats.
• Identify capacity building needs of PRIs and Facilitate the capacity building interventions for enhancing capacities of PRIs on GPDPs
D. Capacity Building and Training:
• Do the overall planning and facilitate the execution of training and capacity building workshops, consultations, advocacy events, cross learning visits and other activities related to strengthen and scale WGFGP initiative across the state.
• Assist in developing capacity building modules, tools, and training materials for Panchayat representatives and frontline stakeholders on WGFGP and localizing SDGs.
• Integrate learning from the previous years of WGFGP implementation to improve training content and methodologies.
• Develop knowledge management products and training aids for integrating gender and WGFGP mandate in training of PRIs and officials including panchayat level officers of Panchayati Raj department.
• Provide handholding support to district and field offices of Panchayati Raj Department, UNFPA supported field team in Sawai Madhopur to support in developing WGFGPs, gender-just climate solutions and documenting learning as well as case studies.
E. Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting:
• Develop and operationalise monitoring tools/checklists for tracking progress of government-identified WGFGPs against defined markers.
• Establish and maintain a database of WGFGPs and related development indicators, including data on GPDP, Mahila Sabha, and PAI.
• Track progress across model sites and regularly review indicators, challenges, and implementation gaps.
• Conduct periodic analysis of WGFGP data to support evidence-based programming.
• Develop scorecards for WGFGPs based on criteria such as gender-responsive GPDP, effective PAI recording, WGFGP markers, and innovations.
• Assess progress and identify key challenges, and develop actionable recommendations for strengthening implementation.
• Prepare periodic reports, briefs, and presentations on WGFGP progress for relevant stakeholders.
• Provide analytical inputs for programme reviews, learning workshops, and policy discussions.
• Develop and submit monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports under the project.
• Document field experiences, innovations, and successful interventions related to WGFGP.
• Develop case studies, success stories, impact assessments, factsheets, and other knowledge products to support learning and dissemination.
3.Qualification and Experience:
• Post Graduate degree in Social Science/ Humanities/ Sociology/Rural Development
• At least 5 years of work experience with government partners or NGOs with increasingly responsible professional experience in monitoring and programme management and field implementation with special focus on gender issues.
• Ability to liaise with government and non-government partners in the areas of women empowerment and localization of SDGs.
• Demonstrable technical expertise and field experience in gender equality with particular reference to rural development and Panchayat Raj Institutions.
4.Competencies:
• Results oriented programme development and management
• Willing to travel extensively in the State
• Computer proficiency with high level of familiarity with commonly used Windows and MS Office software and database software.
• Excellent oral and written communication & presentation skills in English and Hindi.
• Strong documentation and analytical skills in drafting, writing and editing .
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team with strong facilitation skills & ability to analyze reports, plan and monitor projects.
• In-depth knowledge of gram panchayats and rural development in the state.
5.How to apply:
Interested candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to submit the following documents:
• An updated curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience.
• A cover letter (maximum two pages) articulating suitability for the position.
• Contact details of at least two professional references.
Applications should be submitted to- cecojobs@gmail.com, with the subject line “Application – ” Programme Officer (PO)- Gender-responsive panchayats
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CECOEDECON and UNFPA are equal opportunity employers and encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from marginalised communities.