Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert – Ethiopia, Somalia

Aninver Development Partners SL (www.aninver.com) is looking for a Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert for a trade consultancy assignment financed by TradeMark Africa in Ethiopia, Somalia.

Aninver Development Partners SL is currently preparing a competitive proposal for a high-impact trade and logistics consultancy assignment supported by TradeMark Africa. The initiative focuses on a strategic cross-border corridor connecting Ethiopia and Somaliland, aiming to enhance regional economic integration, reduce transport costs, and upgrade vital trading and transport infrastructure. To strengthen our multidisciplinary team, we are seeking a qualified Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert to drive the integration of inclusive practices throughout the project lifecycle.

The selected expert will play a pivotal role in ensuring that gender considerations and social inclusion are deeply embedded in the pre-feasibility, commercial structuring, and investment preparation studies for the designated logistics centre and cross-border market upgrade. This role is essential for addressing the specific challenges faced by vulnerable groups, particularly informal cross-border traders and women participating in regional trade along the corridor.

Aninver is preparing a proposal for this assignment. The selected expert will be part of the proposed team; the engagement is conditional on the contract being awarded to Aninver. The full Terms of Reference for the position are shared with shortlisted candidates.

Objectives of the assignment

• Conduct comprehensive gender and social inclusion analyses for the regional trade and logistics initiative.
• Ensure integration of GESI principles into the design of cross-border market and logistics infrastructure.
• Identify and address specific barriers and bottlenecks faced by women traders and informal cross-border operators.
• Contribute to the preparation of a bankable investment package that aligns with international social safeguards.
• Support stakeholder engagement processes to guarantee inclusive participation across all project phases.

Scope of work

• Assess current freight traffic, trade flows, and trader behaviors along the corridor with a specific focus on gender dynamics.
• Evaluate the operational environment for informal cross-border trade and identify opportunities for inclusive market upgrades.
• Integrate GESI principles into preliminary engineering designs, concept master plans, and facility sizing.
• Support the environmental, social, and climate screening processes in alignment with international standards.
• Contribute to legal, institutional, and regulatory reviews by identifying social and gender-related policy gaps.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team members to synthesize findings into a cohesive, bankable investment preparation dossier.

Your role as Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Expert

• Design and execute dedicated level-of-effort GESI assessments and impact analyses for the trade corridor.
• Engage directly with women traders, local associations, and key stakeholders to capture grassroots perspectives and operational challenges.
• Formulate actionable recommendations and mitigation measures to protect and empower vulnerable groups within the new logistics facility.
• Draft comprehensive GESI reports and contribute relevant sections to the final pre-feasibility and investment preparation packages.
• Work closely with the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist to ensure compliance with international donor frameworks.
• Participate in stakeholder workshops and validation sessions with government and donor representatives.

Requirements

• Education: null
• Demonstrated experience of informal cross-trade and women traders, or dedicated level of effort for gender and inclusion analysis
• Languages: null

Desirable

• Prior experience working on trade facilitation or transport corridor initiatives funded by international donors such as TradeMark Africa.
• Familiarity with IFC Performance Standards and international social safeguards implementation in infrastructure projects.
• Experience operating within the Horn of Africa region, specifically in Ethiopia and Somaliland.

A dedicated GESI professional with extensive experience in informal cross-border trade, women's economic empowerment, and social inclusion analysis within regional trade and infrastructure corridors.

Assignment details

• Location: Ethiopia, Somalia
• Financed by: TradeMark Africa
• Sector: Trade
• Estimated duration: 6 months
• Expected input: null
• Contract: individual consultancy (conditional on award)

About Aninver Development Partners

Aninver is an international development consulting firm headquartered in Spain. It supports governments, development banks, UN agencies and bilateral donors with feasibility studies, technical assistance, evaluations and capacity building across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia and Asia-Pacific, working with a network of international and national experts.

Why apply

• Join a multidisciplinary team on a TradeMark Africa-financed project in Ethiopia, Somalia.
• Individual consultancy: flexible, output-based engagement with an experienced proposal team.
• Your CV stays in Aninver's expert network for future assignments that match your profile.

How to apply

Sign in (or create a free account) and upload your CV in English. Add your LinkedIn profile, indicative daily rate and availability to speed up the assessment. Aninver will contact the shortlisted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Is the position confirmed? The engagement depends on the contract being awarded to Aninver. Shortlisted experts are included in the proposal with their consent.

Can I apply if I am not based in the country? Yes, unless the requirements say otherwise; relevant regional experience is an asset.

What happens with my CV? It is used to assess your fit for this and future positions and is not shared with third parties without your consent.