National Gender, Social and Financial Inclusion Specialist (2)

Organizational Setting

Since 2019 the Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) – thereafter referred to as the United Nations Rome-based Agencies (RBAs) – are implementing a Joint Programme entitled “Taking gender transformative approaches (GTAs) to scale for impact on SDG2 to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” (JP GTA), with the financial support of the European Union.

The overall objective of the JP GTA is to contribute to the achievement of SDG2 by addressing the root causes of gender inequalities in order to trigger transformative change processes that lead to the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at all levels. As part of the second component (field-testing) of the JP GTA, the RBAs will pilot joint and agency-specific activities in two focus countries, Ecuador and Malawi.

In Malawi, FAO will implement activities around four main objectives. The second objective is targeted at Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and financial institutions in Kasungu and Mangochi districts with the aim to ensure that they are inclusive and offer sustainable and accessible services to women and youth.

Reporting Lines

The National Gender, Social and Financial Inclusion Consultants report to FAO Malawi Country Office and FAO JP GTA Team in Headquarters.

Technical Focus

Support the planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of objective 2 – VSLAs and financial institutions are inclusive and offer sustainable and accessible services to women and youth - of the FAO JP GTA project in Malawi.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of and in collaboration with the FAO Malawi Country Office and the FAO JP GTA Team in Headquarters, The National Gender, Social and Financial Inclusion Consultants will be responsible for the implementation of the specific activities listed below:

• Design and implement dialogues with the members of VSLAs on social and gender dynamics, financial needs and VSLAs working modalities in Kasungu and Mangochi districts, based on participatory approaches.
• Design and implement dialogues with identified financial institutions operating in Kasungu and Mangochi districts.
• Synthesize and analyze the findings from the dialogues.
• Prepare a report summarizing the main findings of the dialogues with the VSLAs and financial institutions.
• Present the findings of the dialogues to the FAO Malawi Country Office, FAO JP GTA Headquarters Team and relevant stakeholders and partners;
• Share the findings of the dialogues with the members of the VSLAs and representatives of financial institutions who took part in the dialogues for validation and clarification;
• Review the final report based on the feedback from the VLSAs members, representatives of financial institutions, the FAO Malawi Country office and the FAO JP GTA Headquarters Team, if needed;
• Document success stories and lessons learnt, and share them with the FAO Malawi Country Office and FAO JP GTA Headquarters Team;
• Collect baseline data and information for the monitoring and evaluation of the activities under objective 2;
• Perform any other related duties as required.

The FAO Malawi Country Office and FAO JP GTA Team in Headquarters will provide operational and technical support to the National Gender, Social and Financial Inclusion Consultants to ensure the effective delivery of the activities listed above.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in economics, social sciences, gender studies, rural development, finance or related disciplines with specialization related to gender equality, women’s empowerment and/or social and financial inclusion.
• At least five years of work experience with participatory approaches, facilitation, projects and/or initiatives related to the promotion of gender equality, women’s empowerment and/or financial inclusion.
• Experience in conducting research (e.g. qualitative methods and data collection and analysis), collaborative work and participatory approaches.
• For consultants: Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish. For PSA: Working knowledge of English.
• Working knowledge of English.
• Nationality of Malawi or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/functional skills and experience

• Experience in fieldwork and participation in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work under the operating procedures of international organizations.
• Knowledge of gender equality and social and/or financial inclusion issues in Malawi.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to analyze, systematize and write high-quality reports.
• Work experience in gender transformative approaches, VSLAs and issues related to rural finance would be considered an asset.
• Fluency in spoken Chichewa, and in spoken and written English.
• Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
• Driving license and willingness to travel.