United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) strives to promote gender equality and women’s human rights, strengthen implementation of gender sensitive policy and legislation, and eliminate all forms of violence against women. Attention is given to issues of excluded groups and their capacity to lobby so that these become part of mainstream decision making and planning. It provides technical advisory and services on women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women and girls, women’s leadership and participation, including in disaster risk reduction and management and gender integration in planning and budgeting. UN Women works towards ensuring an effective UN response by strengthening the effectiveness, coordination, and quality of outputs on gender equality amongst the various stakeholders.

Women in many countries do not control key assets such as the family home, property, and decision-making rights on the use of income, further limiting opportunities to break the poverty cycle. As per Rural Women in Pakistan -Status Report 2018 by UN Women; the population of 64% residing in rural areas depends on agriculture and allied activities for its livelihood. According to the official agriculture statistics, agriculture accounts for 21 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and for just under half of the total employed labour force. However for rural women, agriculture is their main labour activity—approximately 75% of women and girls (ages 10 and above) in the labour force are employed in the agriculture sector.

UN Women supports policies that have the potential to bring economic security and rights to vulnerable women and supports initiatives to enhance economic opportunities for women, while also building the capacity of economic institutions and networks to provide women with resources. Climate smart agriculture and recognizing the lead role of women in agri business is one of the focus area of UN Women Pakistan office. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UN Women has been made part of high level technical committees that are focusing on the uplift of Newly Merged District through sustainable rural development.

UN Women will be part of implementing a project targeting to empower women to fully participate in economic life across all sectors and at all levels of economic activity as well as Improved livelihoods and food security through agriculture-led growth in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The assignment focuses on the effective management and administration of the Women’s Economic Empowerment in rural setting (focusing on agriculture and livestock) in targeted areas. The scope of work includes implementation of program strategies, monitoring of progress, close liaison with stakeholders, developing partnerships, timely reporting and troubleshooting of any issues.

UN Women aims at recruiting a Technical Expert to support the implementation of its activities related to Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods Portfolio in general and the project Livelihood and Food Security Improvement Fund for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa merged districts in particular. The HR recruited will also contribute towards knowledge management and capacity building of the team and implementing partners based on project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the technical expert will undertake the following tasks:

Providing effective support to overall management of the project in close coordination with Women’s Economic Empowerment WEE&SL Portfolio, FAO KP team, District Government and relevant gov institutions.
Work closely with women community in NMDs Facilitate the work on building capacities of women farmers, savings and investment, life skills and collective bargaining for better access and coordination to attain economic empowerment.
Contribute to knowledge and capacity building of the project and provide technical as well as administrative support.
Facilitate rural women to acquire Computerized National Identity Cards, voter registration and link them with the State and commercial banks’ loan schemes and Government-assisted programs for services, subsidies, credits and other intended benefits
Increase networking opportunities for under
served and rural women through participation in diverse events e.g., provincial, and national level rural women conferences (physical and virtual), exhibitions, exposures, and exchange visits
Facilitate women led small and micro rural enterprises/collectives for accessing markets and maximize profits
Capacity building of women on value addition to their products (including packaging, quality improvement and hygiene) using specific tools and skills.
Organize awareness sessions to engage both women and men, on inclusivity of women in agricultural processes, rights and duties, engaging in community governance and information on services related to protection and redress from violence.
Facilitate linkages with financial institutions to access credit and grants for the purchase of productive assets
Advocacy with private sector companies (engaged in the project for provision of agriculture inputs) to sign Women Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Engage technical consultants for supporting the smooth implementation of the project activities.
Prepare donor reports and present high quality results.
Any other relevant work aligned with the role and as directed by supervisor.

Competencies

The initial duration of the assignment is one year, with possibility of extension depending upon the funding and performance.

UN Women will provide the HR with background information/ material, feedback and technical inputs to accomplish the assigned tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Master`s Degree in Social Science, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Management or related discipline.
At least 5 years’ progressively responsible administrative or program experience is required at the national or international level. Preference will be given to those who have worked on issues related to gender equality/ women’s rights and rural development.
Strong demonstrated experience of working with multiple stakeholders in development sector.
Knowledge of planning, designing and implementing RBM products and strategies.
Experience in drafting reports, including using RBM, M&E tools and techniques, and approaches for the presentation of information through use of graphic, pictorial, video or other appropriate communication means.
Proven analytical and report writing skills.
Strong understanding of gender and development issues in Pakistan and women economic empowerment in rural settings with special focus on Newly Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Proficiency in the use of software used for preparing reports including Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) is required
Ability to organize and prioritize work and function as part of a team; and
Proficiency in written and spoken English is required, knowledge of local language will be an asset.