GEDSI Adviser

This is an assignment for Strongim Bisnis, an initiative of the Australian Government in Solomon Islands.

Dates & duration: August 2025 - April 2026, up to a maximum of 17 days in total

Location: Remote

Reports to: Dina Karic, Partnerships Director

Intervention/area of focus: GEDSI Plan

ASI contact representative: Danya Salinas, Strongim Bisnis Program Manager

Background to the Strongim Bisnis program

Solomon Islands Australia Partnership’s Strongim Bisnis program is an economic development initiative to increase economic opportunities and participation for people and businesses in Solomon Islands.

Recognising that Solomon Islands has a small consumer market and economy, dispersed population, and high cost of doing business, Strongim Bisnis identifies and analyses specific sectors that have a high potential for growth and can create new employment and income

generation opportunities.

We facilitate strategic partners (including businesses, government, civil society, and associations) in those sectors to address the root constraints to growth and inclusion (Women, Youth and People living with disabilities) through innovative solutions.

Background to the Assignment

Strongim Bisnis is dedicated to empowering women, youth and people with disabilities to participate in the economy. A GEDSI Action Plan was developed by the Program for the third phase covering 2023-2026. The Program has made significant progress to implement the plan including establishing a team dedicated to developing new partnerships focused on improving the economic integration of women, youth and people with disabilities. However, there is no dedicated person on the Program to assess the overall progress to implement the Action Plan.

Furthermore, as the Action Plan is about to end and the Program is expected to be extended, there is an opportunity to review the Action Plan and provide concise, manageable actions thatcan be implemented by the team while ensuring that the Program is meeting the expectations of DFAT.

Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to review how the current GEDSI Plan is being applied in the Strongim Bisnis program, and to develop practical tools that support Program staff in integrating GEDSI across program activities and office practices. The assignment may also provide recommendations to keep the GEDSI Plan relevant and aligned with current and future strategies, and support reporting by capturing GEDSI results and lessons learned.

Scope of Work

• Review the current GEDSI Plan for the Strongim Bisnis program and assess whether is being implemented.

• Assess how GEDSI is mainstreamed across all program activities and interventions and identify gaps. Agree with the Program management team which gaps need to be addressed.

• In collaboration with the Program Management team, identify practical recommendations and develop tools to enable Program staff to implement them effectively.

• Contribute to donor reporting and communications by documenting GEDSI achievements, and lessons learned.

• Provide recommendations to maintain the relevance of the GEDSI Plan and ensure alignment with current and future strategies.
  

Deliverables

• Written report assessing how the current GEDSI Plan is being applied, including strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement.

• Practical tools (e.g. checklists, guidelines, templates) and short training materials to support Program staff.

• Agreed set of practical recommendations developed with the Program Management team, showing how to keep the GEDSI Plan relevant and aligned with current and future strategies.

• Practical tools to improve reporting on GEDSI (not related to indicators) achievements, and lessons learned to contribute to client reporting and program communications.

Duration and Level of Effort

The Adviser will be required for a flexible number of days each month, up to a maximum of 17 days in total, scheduled according to tasks within an 8-month timeframe.

Reporting and Coordination

The GEDSI Advisor will report directly to the Strongim Bisnis Deputy Team Leader and will work closely with the Program staff.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least ten years’ experience in gender equality, disability and social inclusion, ideally in an international development context.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or relevant field experience in international development, gender studies, disability or social inclusion.

• Demonstrated experience integrating gender equality, youth empowerment, disability inclusion and safeguarding principles into private sector development and program development/ implementation.

• Highly developed strategy, analytical, written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a participatory way.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively in a team context.

• Knowledge of, and experience implementing DFAT’s gender equality, disability and social inclusion initiatives.
  

Location of Work: Remote

How to apply

Applications should be submitted before 8 September 2025.

Any questions should be sent to dina.karic@strongimbisnis.com.sb Please use the following title: Enquiry GEDSI Adviser role - Strongim Bisnis.

Applications should include a one-page cover letter addressing the required qualifications, experience, and attributes, a CV of no more than four pages and the contact details of three professional referees.