About the Private Infrastructure Development Group

At PIDG, we get infrastructure finance moving and multiplying – accelerating climate action and sustainable development where most urgently needed. For communities, new infrastructure means opportunities to improve life. We work with public and private partners to bridge financing gaps, directing capital and expertise into projects that promote climate resilience and sustainable growth. Working throughout the project lifecycle, we reduce financial risk, transform markets and build local capacity, creating a deep and lasting impact.

We are a group of companies that work together to improve lives throughout Africa and south and south-east Asia. Active since 2002, over 70% of our investments have been either in countries classified as Least Developed Countries or in Fragile and Conflict Affected States. These are the countries where infrastructure gaps are the largest and most urgent and where the population is youngest and growing fastest. These are also the countries that contributed the least to climate change and yet are suffering the worse impacts, in some of the regions with the richest biodiversity left on the planet, which is quickly being depleted.

Building on a pioneering track record of integrating climate and inclusion considerations in infrastructure investment, in 2023 we launched a new 2030 strategy which makes action on climate and nature, together with sustainable development through new and improved infrastructure, the central purpose of all we do.

Promoting gender equality and inclusion is core to our business and impact objectives. We do not assume equitable benefits from infrastructure projects for women and girls because of specific barriers they may be facing. Our aim is that the infrastructure that we finance promotes gender equality and inclusion through more equitable control over productive resources (income, finance, skills) and more equitable access to infrastructure benefits.

Our approach includes: dedicated objectives in the investment policy; group KPIs; a focus in deal screening and prioritisation both to drive  positive gender equality outcomes and to manage risks of inequality and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH); targeted use of technical assistance; capacity raising and engagement with clients and market players through PIDG Institute activities, wider sector and market engagement. We are  co-convenors of the 2X Global community of practice on gender and infrastructure and active participants in the climate and gender community of practice.  We have a dedicated Gender Equality Diversity (GEDI) and Inclusion task force and an annual GEDI action plan that considers gender and disability and inclusion. PIDG’s GEDI work covers (i) managing risks to gender and inclusion, (ii) promoting positive gender and inclusion outcomes across our portfolio investments, and (iii) managing gender and inclusion across our  own organisational practices. We report publicly on GEDI commitments as part of our sustainability disclosures.

The role

This role will be at the centre of making our ambition on gender equality a reality, with real influence on investment decisions and portfolio construction and the possibility of reshaping what investing in infrastructure for gender equality means.

Reporting to the Chief Sustainable Impact Officer, the main purpose of the role is to provide expert advice on gender equality, diversity and inclusion in deal screening, portfolio management, group KPIs, reporting and sector investment strategies, with a particular focus on the intersection between gender equality and climate and nature, and generating learning and evidence that can advance the infrastructure investment practices.

The role will also play an important part in the implementation and continuous development of our approach to GBVH safeguarding and ensuring the seamless consideration of both opportunity and risk in gender analysis, working closely with the Global Head of Health, Safety, Environmental and Social on the risk side.

The role will also enhance our approach to taking a disability inclusion lens in our investments, as well as promoting gender equality, diversity and inclusion within PIDG as an inclusive and equitable organisation.

Role and responsibilities

Capital allocation, review and monitoring of PIDG investments

• Lead the evolution of gender equality opportunity and risk screening for all PIDG investments as part of the well -established sustainable impact screening process
• Advise deal teams on prospective investments that present distinct or novel gender related opportunities or risks
• Coordinate and quality assure Gender Equality Assessments for PIDG investments
• Ensure that data collection and analysis on gender equality is integrated and further improved in PIDG monitoring systems
• Ensure that disability and inclusion considerations are applied at all stages of PIDG investment cycle

Portfolio analysis, outcome mapping and learning

• Further develop PIDG outcome indicators on gender equality at portfolio level
• Conduct project and portfolio analysis of gender equality themes and outcomes for learning and reporting purposes
• Contribute to the implementation of PIDG Monitoring Evaluation and Learning plan, particularly through: (i) providing subject matter expertise in the commission of studies with a strong gender component (e.g. identification of projects and themes, developing ToRs, reviewing outputs), and (ii)  selection and commissioning of end users surveys and (iii) contribution to project self-evaluation reports with a strong gender focus.
• Contribute to PIDG Sustainability and Impact Report, with responsibility for relevant sections of the report.

Engagement with technical assistance team

• Work closely with the PIDG technical assistance team for the effective deployment of PIDG dedicated grant facility for gender equality outcomes
• Ensure high standard reporting on output, outcome and learning of the dedicated TA facility
• Quality assure which TA grant counts towards the PIDG TA gender equality KPI.

Market engagement on gender equality in infrastructure investment

• Lead PIDG thematic work on gender equality and inclusion in engagement with clients and market stakeholders through PIDG Institute events and learning products
• Coordinate PIDG’s role in international fora inlcuding 2X Global and its community of practice (mainly infrastructure and climate and gender)
• Keep abreast of the evolving gender and inclusion disclosure and reporting frameworks relevant to infrastructure investors inlcuding The Taskforce on Inequality and Social-related Financial Disclosures (TISFD).
• Evolve PIDG and the infrastructure sector thinking on how to integrate, drive and demonstrate gender equality in infrastructure investment with a particular focus on the intersection between gender equality and climate and nature.

PIDG Gender Equality Diversity Inlcusion (GEDI) taskforce

• Play a leading role in the evolution, implementation, monitoring and learning of PIDG GEDI Action Plan.
• Advance PIDG and the infrastructure sector’s thinking on integrating  gender equality and inclusion in infrastructure investment
• Develop best in class gender equality and inclusion guidance and systems for Credit Enhancement Facilities set up and supported by PIDG
• Enhance  the group’s expertise on integrating gender equality and inclusion in infrastructure financing in the markets where PIDG operates
• Lead PIDG teams’ engagement on gender equality and inclusion and raising people’s awareness and building the teams capacity through internal communication, learning and events.

Contribution to PIDG Impact team

• Contribute to continuous development of PIDG Impact team as a centre of excellence in infrastructure investment

• Represent PIDG in external events as directed by the Chief Sustainable Impact Officer

Qualifications and education requirements

• Degree or relevant qualification (essential) or Advanced degree (desirable) in a socio-economic and/or sustainability discipline related to the role and responsibilities
• Relevant certification or specialization in gender equality and inclusion desirable

Skills and experience

• Demonstrable and extensive work experience in gender equality and inclusion advisory, preferably in a finance institution, (impact) investment or management consultancy industry.
• Demonstrable experience applying a gender lens in screening investments for gender and inclusion risks and opportunities and/or a demonstrable understanding of investment tools and processes.
• Practical experience working with private sector clients to adopt progressive gender equality approaches and practices.
• Understanding and experience assessing the differentiated impact of investment on women and vulnerable groups, particularly in the infrastructure investment sector in low income and emerging economies desirable.
• Experience of monitoring evaluation and learning with a focus on gender equality and inclusion
• Understanding of disclosure reports and implementing industry standards for reporting on gender equality and inclusion.
• Understanding and experience of the evolving landscape of gender lens investing, with a focus on investors standards and legal obligation as well as emerging best practice networks and standards in promoting empowering of women and girls.
• Understanding and experience in applying framework for disability inclusion is desirable
• Understanding and experience of ensuring implementation of safeguarding standards in infrastructure development desirable
• Understanding and experience of working in Africa or south and south east Asia is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership for delivery of high-quality deliverables, organising self and others to meet agreed deadlines.
• Ability to work with multiple teams and stakeholders, inspiring and corralling action
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines on multiple projects while working with ambiguity.

Closing date for application: 06/12/24

PIDG is an equal opportunities employer and values the diversity of all its employees, associates, owners, service providers and customers