Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Consultant

Title: Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Consultant

Location: Worldwide 

Division: Product Development

PATH is a global organization that works to accelerate health equity by bringing together public institutions, businesses, social enterprises, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing health challenges. With expertise in science, health, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales solutions—including vaccines, drugs, devices, diagnostics, and innovative approaches to strengthening health systems worldwide.

The Diagnostics for Integrated Case Management, Actionable Surveillance, and Accelerated Elimination of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Asia Pacific (PDAP) is funded by the Australian Government and led by a consortium comprised of PATH (USA/Vietnam), the Burnet Institute (Australia), and WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) [Australia]. The project goal is to advance diagnostic products that improve malaria case detection, ensure access to the best treatment options, and reduce the malaria burden in difficult-to-reach communities. A portfolio of activities will be advanced over a period of three years to achieve this. These activities include product development, clinical studies, implementation studies, health economics and financing. The design and implementation of activities will be informed by GEDSI principles and a GEDSI-specific agenda. The gender analysis will draw directly from (and/or align with) the DFAT approach.

PATH is seeking a GEDSI Consultant to conduct an analysis of gender equality, disability, and broader social inclusion regarding vector borne disease (VBD) prevention, testing, and surveillance in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. The findings and recommendations will be shared with project stakeholders and inform an inclusive approach to project design and implementation. 

This position will report to the Vietnam Malaria Team Leader. There is a strong preference for this position to be based in Southeast Asia.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Identify gaps and barriers to accessing testing and treatment services for VBDs, particularly amongst people living with disability, women, men, children, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups.
• Identify inequities in prevalence of VBDs and access to preventative tools.
• Identify opportunities in our programming to strengthen how the program incorporates GEDSI considerations into its portfolio of activities.
• Document the GEDSI analysis process/methods to inform future GEDSI analyses in other project locations.

Additional Details

GEDSI Framework

The following domains will be used to analyze information about gender, disability, and inclusion and how this affects access to VBD prevention, testing, treatment, and information for women, children, people living with a disability and other marginalized groups:

• Accessibility: how gender relations and other social norms affect access to resources that can impact individuals’ use of VBD testing and treatment services (e.g., money, health services, education, health insurance, and information).
• Beliefs/Perceptions: Draws from cultural belief systems or norms about age, gender, and disability, and how this might influence prevalence of VBDs and facilitate/hinder access to VBD testing and treatment for different groups.
• Power Dynamics: Informs who has, can acquire, and can expend assets and decisions about one’s own health and children’s health, including the attitudes of health providers which may reinforce or challenge inequalities.
• Institutions, Policies and Laws: Assesses the rules governing the health workforce and health facilities, including approaches which may hinder access or discriminate against certain groups.
• The DFAT approach to GEDSI Analysis provides additional guidance on methodology.

Data collection methods

The following methods, further defined and led by the consultant, will be used to collect, and analyze information:

• Secondary Analysis – The consultant, with assistance from project staff will collate and synthesize existing data from previously conducted GEDSI analyses, published research, and available health data to determine sex, age and (where available) disability-disaggregated information on VBDs and identify gaps where more detailed qualitative data collection is needed.

Deliverables and due dates:

⁺Due dates to be amended once agreement has been signed.

Timeline and Effort

• The expected level of effort for this work is a maximum of 46 days between August 1, 2024, and September 16, 2024, date.
• No travel will be required for this work.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Graduate degree in the field of gender, disability, public health, social science, international development, or other related fields.
• Minimum three years working in gender equality, disability, and social inclusion programming.
• Proven experience using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including design and analysis of GEDSI analysis/audit or similar work.
• Experience working in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and/or Vietnam including a strong understanding of socio-cultural dynamics in the three countries,
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including experience presenting to external audiences such as donors or government officials.
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written is required.
• Experience engaging with both public and private sector partners preferred.
• Knowledge or experience in the health sector, particularly with vector borne diseases, a plus.
• Ability to work independently, develop and drive scopes of work, multi-task and thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure situations while collaborating with a global project team.

Contact person: Ms. Nguyen Thanh Huyen, [email protected]

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.