About Us

GOAL has responded to the world’s major humanitarian crises since its founding in 1977, working with vulnerable communities in 14 countries across the globe with a dedicated team of personnel. While GOAL continues to be an agile first-responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery.

**Please note this role is a maternity leave contract ideally starting in March 2026**

Job Purpose

The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor (GESI) is responsible for guiding approaches that ensure responsiveness to a range of social and contextual factors across GOAL’s strategies and operations. You’ll provide expert direction and support to enhance context analysis, program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning, ensuring that no group is inadvertently left behind.

The Successful candidate will collaborate with multiple GOAL teams—across both Head and Country Offices, including senior management, program operations, technical specialists, and MEAL teams to develop, communicate, support, and track the integration of inclusive approaches, activities, and benchmarks.

This role Reports our Head of Programme Technical Team (PTT) is part of GOAL and will serve as a resource for technical guidance and external engagement, including donors, technical networks, and relevant fora.

**Please note this role can either be based in our HQ in Dublin (Ireland) or remotely from the UK**

Key Areas of Responsibility

Strategy and Design – Strengthening Inclusive Practice

Support validation of GOAL’s policies to ensure inclusive, accountable programming.
Develop operational plans and guidance to embed inclusion in program design tools.
Assist country and HQ teams in integrating inclusivity into strategic plans.
Recommend strategy adjustments based on monitoring insights.
Ensure MEAL systems track demographic data and equity indicators.
Coordinate with Safeguarding to strengthen protection and risk management.
Identify and address access barriers for marginalized groups.
Advise on inclusion-related strategy and policy development.
Provide updates to senior management and the Board.

Resource Mobilisation and Donor Engagement

Provide technical input across the business development cycle.
Support proposal reviews and risk management.
Represent GOAL in external technical and design forums.
Share evidence and stories to support fundraising.
Advise on budgeting to support inclusion priorities

Technical Support and Capacity Building

Lead research on access barriers and support integration into programs.
Help establish inclusion-focused working groups in country offices.
Conduct visits to monitor and support inclusion strategies.
Build staff capacity through training and HR collaboration.
Ensure clear communication of inclusion principles.

Learning, Networking, and Representation

Guide learning processes and share best practices.
Represent GOAL in external networks and forums.
Ensure evaluations assess inclusion effectiveness.
Advise on integrating empowerment in program phases.

Key Performance Objectives

75% of Country Offices have inclusion-focused groups.
100% complete inclusion audits; 75% have improvement plans.
75% implement internal inclusion initiatives.
100% reference inclusion in Annual Plans.
Two learning papers or case studies produced.

Requirements

Proven experience in a similar role, demonstrating success strengthening inclusive practice in humanitarian or development programming,
Strong track record of tailored, high-quality technical input.
Advanced training related to inclusion, equitable access, or protection.
Experience leading cross-departmental initiatives and working effectively at all organizational levels.
Experience providing technical representation in external technical networks, donor forums, or partnerships.
Strong analytical skills with a focus on identifying and mitigating risks and barriers to participation and equitable outcomes.

Desirable

Seven years of experience in humanitarian and/or development organizations.
Postgraduate degree in a closely related field.
Proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic.
Skilled in research design and applied learning.
Technical familiarity with related sectors (e.g., resilience, behavior change, health, nutrition, WASH).

We strongly encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single requirement listed. At GOAL we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please just contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment.hq@goal.ie

GOAL commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We foster an inclusive culture where all voices are heard and valued, we are particularly eager to receive applications from women (and other underrepresented groups). We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Accountability within GOAL

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

General Terms and Conditions

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor (maternity leave)

Job Description