Job Description and Person Specification:
Mid / Senior Consultant - Women’s Economic Empowerment
Social Development Direct (SDDirect) is currently seeking candidates for a mid-level / senior consultant post
to join our small but expanding Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) team. The post reports to
SDDirect’s Technical Lead for women’s economic empowerment and is based in our central London offices,
with some international travel.
Department: Technical Team
Location: Central London, with international travel
Reports to: Technical lead (women’s economic empowerment) / Senior Consultant
Appointment term: Full time permanent (part time / flexible working upon negotiation)
Closing Date: applications considered on rolling basis until filled, up to 15 December 2015.
SDDirect is a leading provider of international social development consultancy and research expertise.
Established in 1999, we are focussed on the eradication of poverty, global inequality and injustice and work
with clients in the north and south to this end. Our clients include the UK Department for International
Development (DFID), UN agencies, and leading NGOs. We have a strong in-house team based at offices in
central London and a large international network of social development professionals.
At SDDirect we understand that women’s choices to engage in economic activity and the benefits they
derive from this are constrained by gender unequal power relations and pervasive and discriminatory laws,
rules and social norms, which limit the options available to women and the value given to the work they do.
Overwhelmingly, social norms perpetuate women’s unequal role in unpaid household and caring work; while
persistent occupational segregation and discrimination in laws as well as markets result in a persistent
gender pay gaps and limit women’s access to and control of financial and other assets. Economic
empowerment thus involves not only supporting individual women but also enabling them to act jointly to
influence wider structures and institutions in order to defend their economic rights and expand their
opportunities.
SDDirect are now looking to expand our women’s economic empowerment (WEE) team, and have an
exciting opportunity to recruit a mid-level / senior consultant (dependant on experience) to support this
growing thematic area of our work.
Please visit www.sddirect.org.uk for more information on who we are and what we do.
SDDirect Job Description mid / senior WEE_Nov 2015
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Overall purpose of job
This is a mid-level to senior role (dependent on experience fulfilled in the person specifications below) within
a cutting edge and growing social development organisation. It provides expertise and technical capacity in
the field of women’s economic empowerment (WEE) as well as support to the Lead Consultant (WEE) in the
delivery of high quality, evidence-based services to clients and the continued growth of SDDirect in this
technical area.
Main duties and responsibilities
Technical support:
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Provide strong technical support, skills, capacity (and leadership, if assuming a senior post) to the
SDDirect women’s economic empowerment team and ensure implementation and delivery of WEE
programmes to a high standard.
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Under the supervision of the Lead Consultant (WEE), participate actively and take leadership as
required in consultancy work, research and evaluation contracts relating to WEE.
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Undertake international and national travel on consultancy and research assignments as may be
needed.
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Support to the Lead Consultant (WEE) in portfolio and project management (including direct project
management responsibilities as may be assigned).
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Ensure compliance with SDDirect and client project management and contractual requirements,
including timely reporting, recording of consultant inputs, contract budget monitoring, and use of the
SDDirect online project management system.
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Support quality assurance processes to ensure the delivery of products and deliverables to clients to a
high standard of professionalism.
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Provide support to relationship management with a variety of clients including government
departments (e.g. DFID, FCO and other UK Departments), international agencies, non-governmental
organisations and consultancy partners.
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Contribute to SDDirect’s strategic thinking, intellectual leadership and planning in relation to women’s
economic empowerment.
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Assist in relationship management and collaboration with Senior Associates and consultants as well as
the growth of SDDirect’s network capacity in the field of WEE.
Business growth:
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Support the growth of SDDirect’s portfolio of work in WEE through:
 Active assistance in identifying and scoping out new clients and business opportunities.
 Participation in the review and assessment of potential business development and bidding
prospects.
 Providing the Business Development Team with technical input and content for relevant
expressions of interest, bids and research proposals to prospective clients.
Raising SDDirect’s profile:

Contribute to company marketing and promotional activities, including:
 Networking with a range of external partners and individuals
 Identifying and organising relevant opportunities and events to present our work
 Representing SDDirect and its work as may be needed at meetings and events.
SDDirect Job Description mid / senior WEE_Nov 2015
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Person Specification: Mid-Level Consultant (note additional requirements for senior role below)
Essential: 
Substantial experience (at least 7 years) to a mid-level of responsibility related to women’s
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Desirable:
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economic empowerment and social development in developing countries, working with
multilateral, bilateral or non-governmental development organisations.
Strong experience in the implementation of significant international development contracts
on behalf of a multilateral, bilateral, foundation or NGO, preferably with significant field
experience in developing countries.
A post graduate university social science degree in a relevant discipline related to
international development (with a preference for candidates with some background in
economics, business studies, and quantitative analysis)
Excellent written, verbal and presentational skills to communicate complex ideas to a range
of audiences
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines
Demonstrated strategic thinking and rigorous analytical skills
A demonstrable commitment to human rights, gender equality and social justice
A strong team player
Fluency in written and spoken English
Ability to travel internationally and to work legally in the UK
Experience of preparing bids for consultancy and research projects for donor agency clients
Experience in planning, managing, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance
Proven networking skills
Fluency in other languages (French highly desirable)
Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g. SPSS, STATA etc)
Line management / people management skills
Person Specification: Senior Consultant
Essential: In addition to the above requirements, the senior post also requires:

Substantial experience (at least 10 years) to a senior level of responsibility related to WEE
and social development in developing countries, working with multilateral, bilateral or nongovernmental development organisations.
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Strong network of clients, potential partner organisations and professional individuals
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Experience of preparing bids for consultancy and research projects for donor agency clients
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Experience in planning, managing, monitoring and evaluation, and quality assurance
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Committed to mentoring more junior staff and network consultants and previous experience
and interest in managing people
Desirable: 
Previous experience of managing sizeable contracts and interest in being involved in project
management
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Fluency in other languages (French highly desirable)
To apply
If you wish to be considered for this post, please email your CV with a cover letter, outlining which level post
you are applying for, why you are interested in the post, and how you meet the requirements of the person
specifications. Applications should be sent to [email protected] by the closing date. Applicants must be
eligible to work in the UK. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until filled (up to 15 December)
SDDirect Job Description mid / senior WEE_Nov 2015
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