Gender and Land Rights Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) coordinates Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s work on various social dimensions including on rural institutions, services, social protection, gender equality, decent rural employment, tenure rights and the right to food. 

ESP works with member countries and other partners through a rights-based approach, to empower people by enhancing social protection systems, diversifying employment opportunities, reducing gender gaps and other social inequalities, strengthening producers’ organizations and improving governance of tenure and the rural poor’s access to natural and productive resources and financial services. To achieve its goals, ESP builds on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT), and the Voluntary Guidelines on Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition (VG-GE). FAO’s involvement in the development and adoption of the VGGT and VG-GE further underscores its commitment to advancing gender equality and secure land rights.

FAO is custodian for SDG indicators 5.a.1 and 5.a.2, which measure women’s secure access to agricultural land and women’s equal rights to land, respectively.  These two indicators monitor country, regional and global progress towards target 5.a, on women’s equal rights to economic resources, including land, and progress towards Goal 5 on gender equality. As a custodian agency, FAO is tasked with methodological development, advocacy, training and technical assistance to countries in compiling and reporting on these indicators, in line with the international methodologies and guidelines.  

ESP serves as the focal point for SDG 5.a.2, whose methodology draws on the CEDAW and VGGT. Though this indicator’s methodology was accepted and endorsed by the UN Statistics Commission in March 2018, it remains at Tier II - accepted international methodology, country under-reporting - with only 88 countries reporting this indicator world-wide. As an accelerator towards achieving FAO’s four betters (Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment, Better Life), this is an opportune time to fill this data gap and support more countries to compile and report this indicator.  

This call for expressions of interest is for the purpose of identifying suitably Gender and Land Rights specialists with strong policy and/or legal background to be included on the roster for consideration for short-term assignments with ESP, ranging from 3 months to a maximum of 11 months (on a when-actually-employed basis). This call is aimed at experts with various levels of experience. The incumbent would in principle be home-based, but can also be based in countries where FAO projects are being or will be implemented. 

The assignments may cover various policy activities, or be dedicated to a specific issue or activity related to the policy aspects of areas under the mandate of FAO.

Candidates who have already been informed of their inclusion in the ESP roster list of specialists do not need to resubmit their application to this call for expressions of interest.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the FAO’s Senior Gender Officer and the Gender and Land Consultant  ESP, who will consult the Development Law Service (LEGN) of the Legal Office of FAO and the statistical division of FAO (ESS) as needed, the Gender and Land Rights specialist will carry out the following activities for selected countries as identified and prioritized by ESP in coordination with relevant FAO regional and country offices

Technical Focus

Provides research and policy advisory services on gender equality, women's empowerment and land rights in countries requesting technical support for SDG 5.a.2. This involves advising governments and other stakeholders at various levels on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in land tenure and governance policies and programmes. The role supports ESP's work to inform and strengthen policy dialogues and contribute to influencing policy and legal changes, as well as supporting their effective implementation. The work also focuses on addressing persistent barriers to women's empowerment, notably through Gender Transformative Approaches (GTAs).

Qualified candidates are sought to support its work in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific in the areas of women’s land and property rights in the context of land, agricultural and rural development laws and policies; marriage and inheritance laws; gender equality and non-discrimination; sustainable land management and administration; food, nutrition, and livelihood security; climate-resilient agriculture and land and natural resource management; social protection in rural areas and decent rural employment. 

Tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of each selected Gender and Land Rights specialist will be defined in the Terms of Reference for the specific assignment. In line with ESP’s mandate, ESP gender and land rights specialists contribute to policy support and capacity development for governments and national stakeholders. This includes generating and analyzing knowledge to inform policy dialogue and programme development, with the goal of advancing gender equality in land tenure and governance, in coordination with the Development Law Service (LEGN), the statistical division of FAO (ESS) and other technical teams as appropriate. The specialists will support the collection, dissemination and uptake of SDG 5.a.2 and information to contribute to the progressive development of national policies, including by facilitating the exchange of experiences among governments and relevant stakeholders, as appropriate. The specialist will carry out his/her tasks within FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31 for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the FAO Policy on Gender Equality. 

The nature of the tasks and responsibilities that will usually be assigned to them are:
•    Supporting SDG 5.a.2 monitoring and reporting, through analysis of legal and policy frameworks, data review, and compilation 
•    Developing and delivering training, capacity-building and awareness raising activities
•    Conducting legal and policy research and preparing related materials, notes, reports, and briefs
•    Contributing to policy briefs and analytical work
•    Preparing, reviewing and monitoring project concept notes and work plans
•    Support regional exchanges among stakeholders including non-state actors to encourage the sharing of good practices, promote South-South learning, and implement strategies for the effective use of available data
•    Participating in internal and external meetings and reporting on outcomes as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Law, Land Governance or Land and Agrarian studies. A first level university degree in Law, Land Governance or Land and Agrarian studies combined with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
•    Between one to ten years of relevant experience (minimum one year for Category C, minimum five years for Category B, minimum ten years for Category A – Consultants (COF.REG) or, Personal Services Agreements Subscribers (PSA.SBS)) in legal or policy work or in promoting gender equality in land tenure and governance
•    Working knowledge (C1) of either English or French or Spanish. 

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Demonstrated interest in the technical areas listed above
•    Strong analytical, legal and policy research and writing skills 
•    An understanding of gender equality concepts and their application to land and property rights
•    For A and B level consultants: experience in providing technical support to government institutions, facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, and advocacy around women’s land rights, with a focus on agriculture, rural development, land administration and management, and human rights.

Selection Criteria

•    A master’s degree or higher in law would be an asset
•    Degree of knowledge and experience in policy issues related to ESP’s technical areas
•    Experience in policy advisory and development in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific
•    Ability to conduct legal and policy research and analysis
•    Ability to write clear and concise reports and produce policy recommendations 
•    Experience working with international, regional or sub-regional organizations or other entities in a relevant field
•    Knowledge of Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese or Russian would be an asset.