Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country. FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis. The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.

The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will be assigned to provide technical support.

The post is located and based in Calabar, Cross River State - Nigeria.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programmes) (AFAOR-P) and in close collaboration with other team members and relevant FAO technical officers in the Sub-regional office for West Africa (SFW), Regional FAO Office for Africa (RAF) and Headquarters, the incumbent will undertake the following main tasks.

Technical Focus

The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist will play a crucial role in the UK PACT project aiming to rehabilitate coastal ecosystems and enhance climate resilience in mangrove ecosystems and their dependent forest and fisheries communities. The specialist will be responsible for leading gender-focused aspects and ensuring the successful delivery of project objectives. This role involves spearheading the implementation of the gender action plan developed for the project, aligning with FAO's efforts to promote gender equality and social inclusion.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Propose gender-sensitive awareness-raising activities to facilitate a gender-transformative approach throughout project implementation. Quantify targets for reaching various community groups and genders to address root causes of gender imbalances. • Lead the implementation and integration of the gender action plan across all project interventions. • Execute the project's gender strategy to prioritize women's involvement in training, sustainable ecosystem management, nutrition, income generation, and value-added activities within their communities and families. • Conduct gender-sensitive analyses to identify and address distinct needs, roles, responsibilities, constraints, capacities, and priorities of women and men targeted by the project. • Review and enhance gender indicators in the project to facilitate effective gender monitoring and reporting. • Integrate gender mainstreaming into project activities and management tools, including gender-sensitive analysis of collected data and tracking gender-related outcomes. • Utilize consultations with women's groups and community stakeholders to provide recommendations for promoting community acceptance of project initiatives and incorporating best practices into women's economic empowerment. • Develop a training curriculum that addresses gender and age-specific aspects and provide training to community members on sustainable income-generating fishery activities and value chain development within and around mangrove ecosystems. • Collaborate with other project experts to conduct comprehensive assessments of poverty, vulnerability, and social protection needs within identified communities. • Assess gender and age-specific needs, challenges, capacities, and priorities through engagement with diverse stakeholders within the community, with a focus on vulnerable groups. • Collaborate with the Ecosystem Management Expert to formulate and promote gender and youth-sensitive guidelines for mangrove-friendly aquaculture, sustainable small-scale fisheries, and the co-management of mangrove ecosystems. • Devise a framework of interventions and activities aimed at enhancing the access of women and youth to financial opportunities. Propose an approach for scaling up income-generating interventions to other project sites. • Deliver capacity-building interventions for youth and women, focusing on institutional strengthening to ensure the sustainability of proposed income-generating activities. Define targets and estimated costs for these interventions. • Collaborate with the project team to conduct awareness campaigns on gender empowerment, sustainable ecosystem management, and related subjects. • Collaborate with the project team to document project impacts, publish success stories, and communicate expected results of the project. • Provide an analysis of the current gender equality situation in the state, including policy frameworks, household-level task distribution, access to qualified work, financial resources, and vulnerabilities. Describe the specific circumstances of women and youth in the targeted coastal area. • Ensure continuous reflection of the gender action plan throughout project implementation. • Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agriculture or relevant socio-economic-political sciences, including socio-economic development, knowledge management, and communication. • Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in promoting gender equality, participatory decision-making, local development, vulnerability assessments, and value chain/socio-economic development. Specific experience in assessing and coastal/mangrove landscapes within the country, enhancing community resilience is desired. • Working knowledge of English (C1) Nigerian nationality

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proven ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, private sector, research institutions, and local communities. Fieldwork experience is essential. • Excellent communication skills, including addressing sensitive topics and presenting positions effectively. • Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in gender and social inclusion related issues. • Strong interpersonal skills, fostering effective relationships in a multicultural setting with respect for diversity. • Previous engagement with international donors' projects is highly desirable. • Experience in participatory decision-making and planning processes within communities is preferred. • Prior experience working in Nigeria's coastal areas, particularly mangrove regions, is desired. • Proficiency in computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.